Lower McLean vs North Arlington vs Vienna

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

Arlington has always been in demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

Arlington has always been in demand.

This is precisely the attitude that has landed us in the current soup. Maybe you're fine with the prospect of sending your kid to the evening shift at Yorktown. We aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

What about the elementary schools? I have a long time before I need to think about HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

What about the elementary schools? I have a long time before I need to think about HS.

Well, then you're really screwed. All of this cluster is 10-15 years away. If you have little kids now, you will be the hardest hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

What about the elementary schools? I have a long time before I need to think about HS.

Well, then you're really screwed. All of this cluster is 10-15 years away. If you have little kids now, you will be the hardest hit.

It's the kids who will enter high school 5-10 years from now who will see the worst of it. In 15 years either APS will have finally faced the problem or there will have been significant flight out of APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean is best. Vienna is too far out and I'd be too nervous about the lack of clear plans to deal with school overcrowding in Arlington to buy there now.

Much smaller class sizes in Arlington.

Sometimes, although not always, but in any event that's less important than knowing your children will end up zoned for one of three excellent high schools (Langley, McLean or Marshall) that, among them, will have enough space. Go to the VA schools forum and you'll see from the threads that Arlington parents don't know whether future high school kids in APS will end up attending school in shifts, or in an auxiliary building at a 3,000-student Washington-Lee, or on-line.

Actually, ALWAYS much smaller classes in Arlington. Always. Not "sometimes." Always.

There will be space at APS high schools. Don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Wrong. It all depends upon the enrollment in a particular grade at an individual school that year.

And you know very little about APS if you think the space issues aren't a huge concern. Perhaps you live in Great Falls?

+1000. We wrote and supported petitions, but School Board members will still say in private no fourth high school will be built.

https://www.change.org/p/arlington-county-board-aps-should-build-new-high-school-space-not-make-schools-bigger-and-double-shift-students

If we'd known what we know now about APS back when we were looking, we would have bought in McLean.

This is the OP. I'm not following. Is the problem over enrollment at APS?

Yes, enrollments have sky-rocketed and we need a fourth comprehensive high school. The school board seems to think we can get by without one, but few parents agree.

Arlington has always been in demand.

This is precisely the attitude that has landed us in the current soup. Maybe you're fine with the prospect of sending your kid to the evening shift at Yorktown. We aren't.

PP here. I am saying I know far more families who have chosen to reside in Arlington for 4+ generations, than McLean, for good reason. I am not saying I know the solution to the current problem, but I think you are dramatizing and catastrophizing more than necessary.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

[Anonymous]

I'm not following the last few comments. There hasn't been any data shared on this thread regarding overcrowding in APS.
However, mentioning that you know of many families who have lived in Arlington for generations, and are sure arlington will figure all the looming school capacity issues out is not compelling either.

[Anonymous]

FCPS has issues, but they aren't as important as the looming capacity crunch in APS. McLean, hands down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

Your facts are wrong and/or misleading. Average teacher compensation is higher in Fairfax than Loudoun; class sizes in FCPS aren't especially relevant to whether FCPS will have building capacity issues similar to APS; and the demographic trends in APS and FCPS over recent decades have been quite different (and the percentage growth in FCPS this year was about 11% of the percentage growth in APS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

Your facts are wrong and/or misleading. Average teacher compensation is higher in Fairfax than Loudoun; class sizes in FCPS aren't especially relevant to whether FCPS will have building capacity issues similar to APS; and the demographic trends in APS and FCPS over recent decades have been quite different (and the percentage growth in FCPS this year was about 11% of the percentage growth in APS).

Do you have any data to support your side? Or at least know people who reside in both, for comparison? Because you say something does not make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

Your facts are wrong and/or misleading. Average teacher compensation is higher in Fairfax than Loudoun; class sizes in FCPS aren't especially relevant to whether FCPS will have building capacity issues similar to APS; and the demographic trends in APS and FCPS over recent decades have been quite different (and the percentage growth in FCPS this year was about 11% of the percentage growth in APS).

Do you have any data to support your side? Or at least know people who reside in both, for comparison? Because you say something does not make it so.

Yes, it is based on data (APS, FCPS, WABE). Not sure why you would suggest otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Fairfax County has its own problems. Teachers need to be paid as much as Arlington and Loudon Counties, for one. In addition, Fairfax/McLean class sizes are crowded, so they will be in the same situation as Arlington, before long. If you debate this, you know nothing about demographics over recent decades in the area.

Your facts are wrong and/or misleading. Average teacher compensation is higher in Fairfax than Loudoun; class sizes in FCPS aren't especially relevant to whether FCPS will have building capacity issues similar to APS; and the demographic trends in APS and FCPS over recent decades have been quite different (and the percentage growth in FCPS this year was about 11% of the percentage growth in APS).

Do you have any data to support your side? Or at least know people who reside in both, for comparison? Because you say something does not make it so.

Yes, it is based on data (APS, FCPS, WABE). Not sure why you would suggest otherwise.

Perhaps because there is no link.

[Anonymous]

I'd only care about stats for the following clusters:

a) Yorktown clusters
b) W-L clusters
c) McLean clusters
d) Langley clusters
e) Madison clusters

I don't care about all of FCPS or APS.