T.C. Williams HS in Alex

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“The weight of this sad time we must obey,/ Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.”

King Lear, Act 5, Scene 3
(V.iii.323–324).

“Thanks,” I muttered and added under my breath, “Douchebag.”
? Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've lived in Alexandria City a long time. Our kids went through ACPS and graduated, finishing in 2012.

OP, you ask a tough question not because of "gangs" (few if any) or so much "bad influence" (not a major presence), but in my opinion because in spite of huge support for ACPS all these decades (taxes as well as volunteering), ACPS never goes up in state ranking thus showing academically, we aren't succeeding so buyers are hesitant to buy. Can you imagine if we had the level of academic success present in Arlington? Alexandria would do nothing but benefit all across the board. ACPS has had a confluence of different Superintendents and visions over the last 15 years, as well as an increase of per student money ($19K per kid now) and lots of community support. So, what indeed is going on that we are viewed so far down academically and repetitively get questions as to the "Yale or jail". Just mind boggling really. We should be way past that as well as way pass 4 probationary/non accredited schools.

If the taxpayers in Alexandria could rally around a single ACPS point, I'd suggest it be to demand rigor of academics, as that's what kids need to survive and use in real time life and to get businesses to move here in our very competitive northern Virginia climate.

I truly hope residents in Alexandria can face these facts. It's not buildings that educate, it's teachers with supportive admin. Support academic rigor and the rest in Alexandria will come along.

This. We're in ACPS now, with one in TC. It is perfectly good; the program is all-inclusive; the AP and Honors selections are impressive. The weak spot is the school board; the school board tinkers with ridiculous projects and distractions, in order to avoid more challenging, real work. The schools themselves are largely good, and have been improving since the late '00s. I would discount whispers about gang activity etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This. We're in ACPS now, with one in TC. It is perfectly good; the program is all-inclusive; the AP and Honors selections are impressive. The weak spot is the school board; the school board tinkers with ridiculous projects and distractions, in order to avoid more challenging, real work. The schools themselves are largely good, and have been improving since the late '00s. I would discount whispers about gang activity etc.

Recent ex-TC Teacher here. It's not "perfectly good" by a longshot. The school is too big/crowded, the facilities are in shoddy shape for only being 10 years old, administration is a revolving door, teachers don't trust admin, central office or the school board...the list of problems is endless. Are there good things happening there? Absolutely! Some faculty are among the best teachers I've ever seen- I can only imagine what they'd do in a well-run, properly-sized school. I know lots of people think the new principal is the panacea, but I'm not sure any one individual can make the difference that's needed there. I remember him from his previous tenure there- he's fine and he'll do as well as ACPS wants him to do but talking to colleagues still there, I understand the rest of admin is a s***show right now. There's a reason they're not attracting the best and brightest from around the region and instead keep recycling the same people through various school & central office positions.

There are absolutely gang members attending TC, but there's not enough "gang activity" in school to move the needle. Fights due to standard, everyday neighborhood beef are far more reason for concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've lived in Alexandria City a long time. Our kids went through ACPS and graduated, finishing in 2012.

OP, you ask a tough question not because of "gangs" (few if any) or so much "bad influence" (not a major presence), but in my opinion because in spite of huge support for ACPS all these decades (taxes as well as volunteering), ACPS never goes up in state ranking thus showing academically, we aren't succeeding so buyers are hesitant to buy. Can you imagine if we had the level of academic success present in Arlington? Alexandria would do nothing but benefit all across the board. ACPS has had a confluence of different Superintendents and visions over the last 15 years, as well as an increase of per student money ($19K per kid now) and lots of community support. So, what indeed is going on that we are viewed so far down academically and repetitively get questions as to the "Yale or jail". Just mind boggling really. We should be way past that as well as way pass 4 probationary/non accredited schools.

If the taxpayers in Alexandria could rally around a single ACPS point, I'd suggest it be to demand rigor of academics, as that's what kids need to survive and use in real time life and to get businesses to move here in our very competitive northern Virginia climate.

I truly hope residents in Alexandria can face these facts. It's not buildings that educate, it's teachers with supportive admin. Support academic rigor and the rest in Alexandria will come along.

There are no good or bad school districts
School performance is directly correlated to income level period
T C Williams is fine. The top classes are just as good as any other school in the region

To actually "fix" things aka boost test scores

You need to convince more of the higher income people to embrace the school instead of choosing private school or leaving the district
UnPC throwing in more Asians would help too

Prior pp here. The expected push back begins. Approximately 11% of Alexandria City residents attend ACPS. Arlington County attendance by it's residents is not much higher (I think somewhere around 15%). Yet people buy in Arlington County for the excellence of it's school system. No one in Alexandria buys for the excellence of ACPS. You got it wrong pp: that's why the parents send their kids to private schools.

All I'm saying is we homeowners in Alexandria City should wise up: push academic instillation over other and you will see us flourish. Average buildings are okay, btw. We don't need over budget bells and whistles: just look at Jefferson Houston Elementary as proof.

Anyone who bought in Arlington for the excellence of its school system is getting a rude awakening. APS is struggling and overcrowded and its high schools are taking a giant ratings hit due to the performance gaps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've lived in Alexandria City a long time. Our kids went through ACPS and graduated, finishing in 2012.

OP, you ask a tough question not because of "gangs" (few if any) or so much "bad influence" (not a major presence), but in my opinion because in spite of huge support for ACPS all these decades (taxes as well as volunteering), ACPS never goes up in state ranking thus showing academically, we aren't succeeding so buyers are hesitant to buy. Can you imagine if we had the level of academic success present in Arlington? Alexandria would do nothing but benefit all across the board. ACPS has had a confluence of different Superintendents and visions over the last 15 years, as well as an increase of per student money ($19K per kid now) and lots of community support. So, what indeed is going on that we are viewed so far down academically and repetitively get questions as to the "Yale or jail". Just mind boggling really. We should be way past that as well as way pass 4 probationary/non accredited schools.

If the taxpayers in Alexandria could rally around a single ACPS point, I'd suggest it be to demand rigor of academics, as that's what kids need to survive and use in real time life and to get businesses to move here in our very competitive northern Virginia climate.

I truly hope residents in Alexandria can face these facts. It's not buildings that educate, it's teachers with supportive admin. Support academic rigor and the rest in Alexandria will come along.

There are no good or bad school districts
School performance is directly correlated to income level period
T C Williams is fine. The top classes are just as good as any other school in the region

To actually "fix" things aka boost test scores

You need to convince more of the higher income people to embrace the school instead of choosing private school or leaving the district
UnPC throwing in more Asians would help too

Prior pp here. The expected push back begins. Approximately 11% of Alexandria City residents attend ACPS. Arlington County attendance by it's residents is not much higher (I think somewhere around 15%). Yet people buy in Arlington County for the excellence of it's school system. No one in Alexandria buys for the excellence of ACPS. You got it wrong pp: that's why the parents send their kids to private schools.

All I'm saying is we homeowners in Alexandria City should wise up: push academic instillation over other and you will see us flourish. Average buildings are okay, btw. We don't need over budget bells and whistles: just look at Jefferson Houston Elementary as proof.

Anyone who bought in Arlington for the excellence of its school system is getting a rude awakening. APS is struggling and overcrowded and its high schools are taking a giant ratings hit due to the performance gaps.

Arlington County's public school struggles are relatively recent, however. ACPS has been bottom barrel for over four decades at least.. There is no will by the ACPS school board to address our low VDOE ranking. Each year it is accepted. As long as the school board doesn't attack our low ranking, Alexandria City itself will continue to struggle attracting Class A businesses as well as private schooled local kids not moving en mass to ACPS. All residents should push harder on improving academics, not just the top tier parents getting the top tier courses. We might investigate how to change the school board lack of experts in educating high FARMS public schools. Once you hit 60%, all students suffer and studies are out there proving this.

[Anonymous]

ACPS teacher here. I'd be interested in your recommendations for "addressing our low VDOE ranking." My classes are 30% ELL, 30% free/reduced lunch, and 30% upper middle/middle class. I stay after many days to tutor students (for free). I have an extensive classroom library that I've furnished myself. I mentor students through our mentoring program. I come to work at 7:15 and usually leave at 5:30 or later. Our city is much more diverse than other parts of Virginia, and teachers and schools can only do so much. What are your suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ACPS teacher here. I'd be interested in your recommendations for "addressing our low VDOE ranking." My classes are 30% ELL, 30% free/reduced lunch, and 30% upper middle/middle class. I stay after many days to tutor students (for free). I have an extensive classroom library that I've furnished myself. I mentor students through our mentoring program. I come to work at 7:15 and usually leave at 5:30 or later. Our city is much more diverse than other parts of Virginia, and teachers and schools can only do so much. What are your suggestions?

I believe our ACPS teachers should be paid like our ACPS administrators are: top dollar. I believe teachers deserve much more salary $$$ in ACPS. I believe the dead weight teachers should have been booted years ago. I am firm in my belief that it's human nature to respond to perceived "worth". I have posted many times on DCUM stating my view, have emailed ACPS SB as well as Council about this and spread the word to neighbors, friends and families.

If you're in a 30% ELL, 30% FARMS, 30% UMC school within ACPS you still deserve the same salary as those in 60% ELL/FARMS as I know most ACPS teachers try hard. I want you to know as a long time resident here in AVA, I continue to speak up for our ACPS Teachers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ACPS teacher here. I'd be interested in your recommendations for "addressing our low VDOE ranking." My classes are 30% ELL, 30% free/reduced lunch, and 30% upper middle/middle class. I stay after many days to tutor students (for free). I have an extensive classroom library that I've furnished myself. I mentor students through our mentoring program. I come to work at 7:15 and usually leave at 5:30 or later. Our city is much more diverse than other parts of Virginia, and teachers and schools can only do so much. What are your suggestions?

I believe our ACPS teachers should be paid like our ACPS administrators are: top dollar. I believe teachers deserve much more salary $$$ in ACPS. I believe the dead weight teachers should have been booted years ago. I am firm in my belief that it's human nature to respond to perceived "worth". I have posted many times on DCUM stating my view, have emailed ACPS SB as well as Council about this and spread the word to neighbors, friends and families.

If you're in a 30% ELL, 30% FARMS, 30% UMC school within ACPS you still deserve the same salary as those in 60% ELL/FARMS as I know most ACPS teachers try hard. I want you to know as a long time resident here in AVA, I continue to speak up for our ACPS Teachers!

Pay ACPS teachers more, recruit nationally. Competition will bring in experienced teachers who have dealt with high FARMS/ELL school systems. Rid the system of dead wood, serving out their time teachers and staff. It's not buildings that teach, it's teachers plus an administration that listens and supports teachers. Lower admin staff, apply it to our teachers. Money talks.

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe people still bring up the fact that TC Williams has a daycare for children of students as a huge negative. Here’s the deal people: high school kids have sex, some get pregnant. The daycare allows those girls (because reality is the burden is on the girl) to still attend high school and increase their chances at a more successful life. Would you rather they just drop out, so your snowflakes don’t have to see them? What does a daycare have anything to do with the quality of education, the facilities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Would you rather they just drop out, so your snowflakes don’t have to see them?

Some of them would. There's a contingent of upper-middle-class parents-- who have the means for private school* but opt into TC-- who like to pretend that TC isn't a citywide school that serves a diverse population. They'd like to pretend that their kids' little bubble at TC is the norm and not be reminded of real life. The problem is that ACPS enables their behavior; they market to those parents and let them believe that little Jaxon and Braelynn won't have to see or interact with The Less Fortunate.



*Or who don't quite have the means, but want to leave the impression that they do

[Anonymous]

The college acceptances seem pretty good to me. Additionally, the upper 75% SAT scores are also reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Some of them would. There's a contingent of upper-middle-class parents-- who have the means for private school* but opt into TC-- who like to pretend that TC isn't a citywide school that serves a diverse population. They'd like to pretend that their kids' little bubble at TC is the norm and not be reminded of real life. The problem is that ACPS enables their behavior; they market to those parents and let them believe that little Jaxon and Braelynn won't have to see or interact with The Less Fortunate.

Most parents who feel this way DON'T opt into TC if it's at all possible. They would much prefer private school. I also don't think ACPS "enables" this behavior. As a parent of a TC alum and active member of TC's PTSA, I never saw this. DC had friends from all economic and racial backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Would you rather they just drop out, so your snowflakes don’t have to see them?

Some of them would. There's a contingent of upper-middle-class parents-- who have the means for private school* but opt into TC-- who like to pretend that TC isn't a citywide school that serves a diverse population. They'd like to pretend that their kids' little bubble at TC is the norm and not be reminded of real life. The problem is that ACPS enables their behavior; they market to those parents and let them believe that little Jaxon and Braelynn won't have to see or interact with The Less Fortunate.



*Or who don't quite have the means, but want to leave the impression that they do

The people you're referring to would never name their kids Jaxson or Braelynn. That has Ashburn all over it. These kids are more likely named, Jack, William, Audrey, or Elizabeth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Would you rather they just drop out, so your snowflakes don’t have to see them?

Some of them would. There's a contingent of upper-middle-class parents-- who have the means for private school* but opt into TC-- who like to pretend that TC isn't a citywide school that serves a diverse population. They'd like to pretend that their kids' little bubble at TC is the norm and not be reminded of real life. The problem is that ACPS enables their behavior; they market to those parents and let them believe that little Jaxon and Braelynn won't have to see or interact with The Less Fortunate.



*Or who don't quite have the means, but want to leave the impression that they do

The people you're referring to would never name their kids Jaxson or Braelynn. That has Ashburn all over it. These kids are more likely named, Jack, William, Audrey, or Elizabeth.

and mommy proudly has her TC Crew sticker on her SUV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Would you rather they just drop out, so your snowflakes don’t have to see them?

Some of them would. There's a contingent of upper-middle-class parents-- who have the means for private school* but opt into TC-- who like to pretend that TC isn't a citywide school that serves a diverse population. They'd like to pretend that their kids' little bubble at TC is the norm and not be reminded of real life. The problem is that ACPS enables their behavior; they market to those parents and let them believe that little Jaxon and Braelynn won't have to see or interact with The Less Fortunate.



*Or who don't quite have the means, but want to leave the impression that they do

The people you're referring to would never name their kids Jaxson or Braelynn. That has Ashburn all over it. These kids are more likely named, Jack, William, Audrey, or Elizabeth.

and mommy proudly has her TC Crew sticker on her SUV

Correct.