Campbell in Arlington

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. The principal is not a very nice person. I know several families who transferred out. The principal and her attitude towards parents (and some teachers) was one reason why. They promote themselves as being one thing and then really don't live up to it in reality. For example they promote kindness, etc., but then don't treat families very kindly and I agree she blacklists people. Asking any questions of her is complete not OK. You are expected to praise all things Campbell and if you ever ask why something is done a certain way or just try to get more information she shuts you down.
Just my two cents.

She shuts down the families who go to Campbell and then complain that they don’t celebrate holidays. There is a school culture. If it’s not what you want, she’s letting you know it’s not a good match and you should look elsewhere, because this is an option school with a distinct program and ethos. I think that’s fair. I have never had a problem interaction with her, and have seen her go above and beyond in many ways, but I also don’t expect to Nice White Parent my way through life. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

1) I'm not white and neither is my kid. Thanks.
2) OP, this is a perfect example of the attitude at the school. It's their way or the highway. I'm not talking about the holidays. Our family never complained or asked to celebrate the holidays. Option schools are open to any Arlington resident and the principal doesn't get to decide who is a good fit or who she wants there. Stay far far away if you want your child to get a solid education and you want you and your child to be treated with any kind of respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) I'm not white and neither is my kid. Thanks.
2) OP, this is a perfect example of the attitude at the school. It's their way or the highway. I'm not talking about the holidays. Our family never complained or asked to celebrate the holidays. Option schools are open to any Arlington resident and the principal doesn't get to decide who is a good fit or who she wants there. Stay far far away if you want your child to get a solid education and you want you and your child to be treated with any kind of respect.

Republicans should avoid, regardless of race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1) I'm not white and neither is my kid. Thanks.
2) OP, this is a perfect example of the attitude at the school. It's their way or the highway. I'm not talking about the holidays. Our family never complained or asked to celebrate the holidays. Option schools are open to any Arlington resident and the principal doesn't get to decide who is a good fit or who she wants there. Stay far far away if you want your child to get a solid education and you want you and your child to be treated with any kind of respect.

Republicans should avoid, regardless of race.

Why is that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are three threads on this all of a sudden.

Maybe because OP isn't getting relevant responses to her question.

Maybe because OP didn't ask a useful question. Provide some background about your concerns and your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1) I'm not white and neither is my kid. Thanks.
2) OP, this is a perfect example of the attitude at the school. It's their way or the highway. I'm not talking about the holidays. Our family never complained or asked to celebrate the holidays. Option schools are open to any Arlington resident and the principal doesn't get to decide who is a good fit or who she wants there. Stay far far away if you want your child to get a solid education and you want you and your child to be treated with any kind of respect.

Of course they are, but why would you want to go to a school where you didn’t feel comfortable or you disagreed with something fundamental about it? It’s an option, and not one that you were forced into. If it’s not a good fit, for whatever reason, the school won’t bend to you. It is what it is, take it or leave it. Same with Montessori or ATS or HB or Immersion. If it’s not right for you or your child, you have other choices. I think that’s what the Principal tries to be clear about up front, so that people who accept spots actually buy into the program.

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know who has a child at Campbell seems pretty happy. But like other have said, it's a lottery school, so you have to apply to get in and can't just transfer over because you'd like to.

[Anonymous]

Democrat here.
Like I said, if you want a school where you are treated respectfully by the administration, if you want a school with strong family/school communication and if you want a school with strong academics, skip Campbell. Otherwise, go for it.
Best of luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

P.S. I personally know 5 families who transferred out in the past three years. Not because they were moving. Because they thought the school wasn't the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Democrat here.
Like I said, if you want a school where you are treated respectfully by the administration, if you want a school with strong family/school communication and if you want a school with strong academics, skip Campbell. Otherwise, go for it.
Best of luck, OP.

Is there an elementary school with strong academics in Arlington?

[Anonymous]

Our neighborhood school is good enough for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Democrat here.
Like I said, if you want a school where you are treated respectfully by the administration, if you want a school with strong family/school communication and if you want a school with strong academics, skip Campbell. Otherwise, go for it.
Best of luck, OP.

Is there an elementary school with strong academics in Arlington?

I think PP isn’t an accurate representation of the school or the majority’s experience and has an axe to grind. Dig into test scores for the subgroups of students similar to your own child and compare across schools. I don’t think you will find what PP suggests about academics in the data. The material/curriculum is the same across all Arington schools, just the way it’s taught differs. Do you want experiential, hands-on learning? Collaborative projects? A focus on nature and social justice? Read up on what the school is, what Expeditionary Learning is, and whether or not you think it fits your family preferences/child’s learning style. Also, the Gifted Teacher is very good and is the Odyssey of the Mind coordinator for the region, if you were not aware. I don’t know what the issue PP has with communication from the school, but we get emails, text messages, and pre-Covid would get paper reminders and flyers about activities and events all the time. I assume that will resume next year. Covid has altered normal operations this past year. But that was true across schools, and not unique to Campbell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Democrat here.
Like I said, if you want a school where you are treated respectfully by the administration, if you want a school with strong family/school communication and if you want a school with strong academics, skip Campbell. Otherwise, go for it.
Best of luck, OP.

Can you elaborate? My kids are in ATS but literally every parent I know with kids in Campbell is extremely happy with the school. I am jealous of their wonderful outdoor learning program - wish it could be replicated in all of Arlington schools!