ACPS Redistricting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any insight into what districts may be changed? We just bought a house in the Douglas MacArthur district and were really looking forward to our oldest starting kindergarten there in 2016. We are close to the western edge of the boundary (the school district touching ours is Patrick Henry). We have our hearts set on MacArthur and I'm starting to really worry about redistricting changing our assigned school.

Here is another thread on this: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/75/455783.page

And yes, I think you are right to be concerned. Patrick Henry is turning into a K-8 and presumably will have more capacity while MacArthur is over capacity.

[Anonymous]

While MacArthur is large (708 students), it's not as large as John Adams (944), Ramsay (885), or Tucker (750). Also the ACPS press release stated that about 400 kids zoned for Tucker and Ramsay are bussed to other schools. So it could be that any extra space created by a new or bigger building at Patrick Henry would be used to accommodate some of the kids from the bigger schools in the west end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While MacArthur is large (708 students), it's not as large as John Adams (944), Ramsay (885), or Tucker (750). Also the ACPS press release stated that about 400 kids zoned for Tucker and Ramsay are bussed to other schools. So it could be that any extra space created by a new or bigger building at Patrick Henry would be used to accommodate some of the kids from the bigger schools in the west end.

I agree with this assessment, but it's still not clear (and won't be until designs are received and approved in May/June) what the actual capacity is going to be at Patrick Henry.

[Anonymous]

This is going to be an agonizing wait. I just reviewed Patrick Henry's Virgina Report Card and there's just no way I would send my DC there. I think we would have to move, which is such an upsetting idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is going to be an agonizing wait. I just reviewed Patrick Henry's Virgina Report Card and there's just no way I would send my DC there. I think we would have to move, which is such an upsetting idea.

Agree with above, from what I" hearing, thought the house that are likely to change to Henry are likely going to be the portion of Polk zone that is immediately across the street from Henry. Based on the press release I'd guess that part of Ramsay or Tucker would as well.

[Anonymous]

Patrick Henry will have a lot of changes in the next 5 years. I think they are looking to change it to a pre-K-8. They are definitely considering to build in the existing land.

[Anonymous]

Just read an article saying that the architects presented three options for a new Patrick Henry building. The article stated that the new building is expected to be ready for use in 2018. Not sure what impact (if any) a 2018 opening would have on redistricting intended to go into place in 2016.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just read an article saying that the architects presented three options for a new Patrick Henry building. The article stated that the new building is expected to be ready for use in 2018. Not sure what impact (if any) a 2018 opening would have on redistricting intended to go into place in 2016.

ACPS school board considering all new build ~$33 Million. Given recurrent history of over budget builds in the millions, City Council, with current debt and next big investments coming on board, is wondering if remodel/new addition may suffice at lower cost. Fiscal reality is finally hitting home: no more Go! Go! Go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is going to be an agonizing wait. I just reviewed Patrick Henry's Virgina Report Card and there's just no way I would send my DC there. I think we would have to move, which is such an upsetting idea.

Many, MANY families have been exactly where you are. When you start exploring Arlington, you will meet many of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is going to be an agonizing wait. I just reviewed Patrick Henry's Virgina Report Card and there's just no way I would send my DC there. I think we would have to move, which is such an upsetting idea.

Many, MANY families have been exactly where you are. When you start exploring Arlington, you will meet many of them.

This isn't a totally fair statement. While it is true that many, many families have probably debated Alexandria/Arlington public schools, the redistricting also has an impact on those families that have gone through that debate (such as ours) and decided to go with Alexandria either by already sending our DC there or by purposefully buying a house within the pre-existing elementary schools boundaries with the intent of sending DC there once they are old enough to start kindergarten.