Atmosphere at Minnie Howard & TC Williams?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TC is just fabulous in every respect -- far better in every respect than our former privates, and I mean it.

Please, please give some details: what do you like? What's better?

Bumpety bump.

I think one of the great advantages is the wealth of course offerings the school has. You can see the list of available courses in the Program of Studies:
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/guidehs/program-of-studies.pdf

There's also a ton of extra-curricular activities, both athletic and non-athletic. You can get more information on that by contact the school.

Note that the PP who posted an article talking about fights was referring to an article from several years ago. They've current students and parents I speak with say that problem was dealt with quite effectively, and the the hallways are calm and orderly. I'm not going to say there are never fights, of course there are at this school or any school, but it just doesn't appear to be an issue.

Regarding the transition from private to public and whether there is a "Yale or jail" or "divide" between the students, I think that rather than having us anonymous posters trade comments, perhaps we might all benefit from reading the graduation speech made by last years valedictorian, who himself transferred into TC Williams after private school. His speech directly touches on both points.

http://www.acps.k12.va.us/news2014/nr2014061301-goodwin.php

So the valedictorian wraps himself up in the school's SES diversity and then heads off to an Ivy League school (Penn). I'd be more interested in the atmosphere and outcomes for the students in the middle, What support and encouragement do they get?

[Anonymous]

Our neighbors kid were basically in the middle, maybe upper middle in terms of class rank, but I know their grades weren't perfect. One was an athlete and she went on to a Division 2 school after graduation to do her sport, the other was very involved in theater. Both had very positive feelings about the school and the support they received especially the oldest who has an ADP that was effectively managed while in high school.

[Anonymous]

Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

I believe it's only football, and it's because the current stadium doesn't have lights (a deal that was worked out a loooong time ago with the nearby neighborhood.)

There is now a movement to install lights at the stadium. It will be a few years down the road, but it seems likely that it will happen.
As far as I know all other events can compete when they want. Sports like lacrosse and field hockey are played at another nearby field that does have lights.

[Anonymous]

We played FH night games against TC at Hammond when I was in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

The neighbors have never wanted the light pollution, the noise, parking issues, and the perceived loss to their property values because of these things. They negotiated this concession before TC was built. It has nothing to do with fighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

The neighbors have never wanted the light pollution, the noise, parking issues, and the perceived loss to their property values because of these things. They negotiated this concession before TC was built. It has nothing to do with fighting.

It spurred the end of the night games:
"A series of violent incidents and city-wide tension nearly prompted school leaders to abandon night games in 1968, but they deferred and eventually imposed the ban a year later. This time, according to published reports, post-game violence spilled over into Old Town resulting in Molotov cocktail-type firebombs being thrown about the historic district and burning down a home on Queen Street."
http://alextimes.com/2009/10/40-years-without-friday-night-lights/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

The neighbors have never wanted the light pollution, the noise, parking issues, and the perceived loss to their property values because of these things. They negotiated this concession before TC was built.

It spurred the end of the night games:
"A series of violent incidents and city-wide tension nearly prompted school leaders to abandon night games in 1968, but they deferred and eventually imposed the ban a year later. This time, according to published reports, post-game violence spilled over into Old Town resulting in Molotov cocktail-type firebombs being thrown about the historic district and burning down a home on Queen Street."
http://alextimes.com/2009/10/40-years-without-friday-night-lights/

That is one sad read, but this issue is not about current TCW kids fighting as the previous poster said. In fact, a formal DSUP written agreement was negotiated with ACPS/Alexandria City prior to the opening of the new TCW in 2007, acknowledging that due to close properly line proximity with neighbors and light spillage at night, lights not be installed. The School System, with City knowledge agreed to this legal document. Moving the field to the commercial area on King Street was raised for this reason prior to the 2004-2007 TCW HS renovation/new build, but ACPS choose not to move the field to the front of King Street.

[Anonymous]

From what I've heard the white parents sign their kid up, and insist on honors/AP classes - with little thought as to the appropriate level - in order to self-segretate (and get the best teachers, least disruption, hand-holding)

If they are successful getting their child into the higher level classes they believe their children have a pretty good experience and they are happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

The neighbors have never wanted the light pollution, the noise, parking issues, and the perceived loss to their property values because of these things. They negotiated this concession before TC was built.

It spurred the end of the night games:
"A series of violent incidents and city-wide tension nearly prompted school leaders to abandon night games in 1968, but they deferred and eventually imposed the ban a year later. This time, according to published reports, post-game violence spilled over into Old Town resulting in Molotov cocktail-type firebombs being thrown about the historic district and burning down a home on Queen Street."
http://alextimes.com/2009/10/40-years-without-friday-night-lights/

That is one sad read, but this issue is not about current TCW kids fighting as the previous poster said. In fact, a formal DSUP written agreement was negotiated with ACPS/Alexandria City prior to the opening of the new TCW in 2007, acknowledging that due to close properly line proximity with neighbors and light spillage at night, lights not be installed. The School System, with City knowledge agreed to this legal document. Moving the field to the commercial area on King Street was raised for this reason prior to the 2004-2007 TCW HS renovation/new build, but ACPS choose not to move the field to the front of King Street.

More recent TC Williams fights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvpLb-fexLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPrzIltv2kY&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCPrzIltv2kY&has_verified=1

TC Williams upskirt arrests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHZjtwT6eeE

TC Williams had inappropriate relationship with student: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv1XrViADnE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why won't they let TC Williams play sports at night?

The issues the lighting at the football stadium. Neighbors do not want it and are fighting the school.

I believe the neighbors lost and the lights are going up.
There were concerns about fights at night games and this one was one the reasons they held off.

The neighbors have never wanted the light pollution, the noise, parking issues, and the perceived loss to their property values because of these things. They negotiated this concession before TC was built.

It spurred the end of the night games:
"A series of violent incidents and city-wide tension nearly prompted school leaders to abandon night games in 1968, but they deferred and eventually imposed the ban a year later. This time, according to published reports, post-game violence spilled over into Old Town resulting in Molotov cocktail-type firebombs being thrown about the historic district and burning down a home on Queen Street."
http://alextimes.com/2009/10/40-years-without-friday-night-lights/

That is one sad read, but this issue is not about current TCW kids fighting as the previous poster said. In fact, a formal DSUP written agreement was negotiated with ACPS/Alexandria City prior to the opening of the new TCW in 2007, acknowledging that due to close properly line proximity with neighbors and light spillage at night, lights not be installed. The School System, with City knowledge agreed to this legal document. Moving the field to the commercial area on King Street was raised for this reason prior to the 2004-2007 TCW HS renovation/new build, but ACPS choose not to move the field to the front of King Street.

More recent TC Williams fights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvpLb-fexLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPrzIltv2kY&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCPrzIltv2kY&has_verified=1

TC Williams upskirt arrests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHZjtwT6eeE

TC Williams had inappropriate relationship with student: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv1XrViADnE

Yes, a TC Williams teacher sleeping with a student is totally related to friday night lights.

[Anonymous]

Sad to say, but black girls get into catfights at just about every school in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I've heard the white parents sign their kid up, and insist on honors/AP classes - with little thought as to the appropriate level - in order to self-segretate (and get the best teachers, least disruption, hand-holding)

If they are successful getting their child into the higher level classes they believe their children have a pretty good experience and they are happy.

Yeah, that was my impression. I was recently at TC for the Science fair - the overwhelming number of students participating in the fair were white. I walked down toward the gym area at one point and noticed that all the kids just hangning out there were non-white.
As a white parent, I will probably just do the same I guess when my kid gets to high school.