Western High School Boundary Map options (A/B/C/D)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could be wrong, but I think they got worried that they wouldn't have enough kids opting in if they just described Western as another traditional high school - but one whose boundaries hadn't yet been finalized - so they decided to go all in on hyping the AI/robotics/avionics stuff in hopes of convincing more kids to opt in.

Maybe that's a good gamble, maybe not.

The AI, robotics, aerospace stuff has been there from day one. The only change is that they have moved it from being an academy to a program. I have no clue what the difference is between the two, but the academy idea was shot down because we nee a traditional school. It feels like an academy program to me except maybe they won’t provide transportation for kids who are interested? I don’t get the difference.

But the marketing, to adults and kids, is clearly that these new programs and opportunities are going to be great, hope to see you here. Otherwise they are selling “Come to a new school where we are just building traditions”, which is going to do little to get kids or parents excited. I doubt that there are going to be kids whose parents don’t want them to move who went home an were like “I need to go to the new school.”

And they really could have used the help of a kid or two to put together that presentation because it was poorly done, the graphics showing up last? The repeating of the same theme? The lack of “help us build our school spirit through sports, music, and theatre.” The 8th graders probably could have built a better presentation.

We’ve been told for months this school is needed because Chantilly is too crowded, South Lakes is IB, Westfield is too big and far away, and Oakton is too far away. If this was all true, kids would be excited to attend a new school and create new traditions. But maybe it’s not, so they are making Western an opt-in school and touting the features that make it sound like an academy or magnet. You certainly wouldn’t watch that video and come away thinking their goal is to open a new, traditional HS.

But, hey, build that plane, even if it’s begging for passengers.

[Anonymous]

I know kids who are opting in. I know that many people in this thread don't want to believe it but we are opting in. The loudest voices are the ones not wanting to move, but there are others who have been saying that they are excited to move. I am not sure how many more times we have to say the same thing.

Not everyone is sold on the idea that the community at a specific HS is so amazing that they have to go there.

Not everyone thinks that the old schools will have better teachers or classes.

Not everyone thinks that you have to have a football team or varsity sports to make a school a good school.

There are those of us who know that freshman and sophomores are not likely to make the varsity or take on lead roles in plays so the lack of varsity sports or a established theatre program is less of an issue. Heck, there are opportunities that come with the new school.

There are those of us who know that new schools open and kids form clubs and teams and bands and it works out just fine.

And there will be parents who will not be all that aware of anything happening and their kids will go to the school indifferent, but they would have been indifferent at their old school.

Choose to go to your current school, that is fine. I get it. But we are making a different choice and are excited for the opportunity. And we know others doing the same. The class might be smaller than normal but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could be wrong, but I think they got worried that they wouldn't have enough kids opting in if they just described Western as another traditional high school - but one whose boundaries hadn't yet been finalized - so they decided to go all in on hyping the AI/robotics/avionics stuff in hopes of convincing more kids to opt in.

Maybe that's a good gamble, maybe not.

The AI, robotics, aerospace stuff has been there from day one. The only change is that they have moved it from being an academy to a program. I have no clue what the difference is between the two, but the academy idea was shot down because we nee a traditional school. It feels like an academy program to me except maybe they won’t provide transportation for kids who are interested? I don’t get the difference.

But the marketing, to adults and kids, is clearly that these new programs and opportunities are going to be great, hope to see you here. Otherwise they are selling “Come to a new school where we are just building traditions”, which is going to do little to get kids or parents excited. I doubt that there are going to be kids whose parents don’t want them to move who went home an were like “I need to go to the new school.”

And they really could have used the help of a kid or two to put together that presentation because it was poorly done, the graphics showing up last? The repeating of the same theme? The lack of “help us build our school spirit through sports, music, and theatre.” The 8th graders probably could have built a better presentation.

We’ve been told for months this school is needed because Chantilly is too crowded, South Lakes is IB, Westfield is too big and far away, and Oakton is too far away. If this was all true, kids would be excited to attend a new school and create new traditions. But maybe it’s not, so they are making Western an opt-in school and touting the features that make it sound like an academy or magnet. You certainly wouldn’t watch that video and come away thinking their goal is to open a new, traditional HS.

But, hey, build that plane, even if it’s begging for passengers.

The kids know what their parents are telling them. The kids who are not attached to school they were supposed to go to are fine with moving. The parents who see opportunity are fine with moving.

But you don't want to listen to us. We have been posting all along, they just get buried under the people screaming that they have to stay at school X. But we have been here all along. Try this out. You can stay at your school for the next two years, enjoy your school of choice. I am sure it will be great. How about letting us enjoy the school we are excited to open and help build?

[Anonymous]

Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

It will develop all of that, but it won't be there in the first year. But in time. Just like it happened at South County and Westfield and every other new school that opens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

It will develop all of that, but it won't be there in the first year. But in time. Just like it happened at South County and Westfield and every other new school that opens.

Westfield had it all very quickly--football made a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

No problem with that as long as they set up a real traditional high school with boundaries. The delay in setting boundaries--particularly in light of the Comprehensive Boundary Study--makes me wonder if this is a deceptive way of making the school a magnet instead. It would appear that would be "easier" for Reid and seems to be her preference.

Unfortunately, the area needs a real school--not a "model."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

If the specialized program is only for in-boundary students, then that isn’t equitable. Ie, no pupil planning exists for out of boundary schools.

I’m not even arguing for it to be equitable, but the school board should revisit policy 8130 since equitable programming isn’t actually a goal of theirs.

[Anonymous]

In a few years, many of the families who worked hard to remain at Oakton may find themselves advocating to be reassigned here. With several new developments planned in Oakton, the area is likely to experience significant overcrowding. Once this new HS is full, the only other school left for them would be Southlakes. Be careful what you wish for.

There won’t be varsity sports, homecoming, or other extras at first, but it will be a full high school with AP courses and specialized pathways. Within a couple of years, all of those extras will be in place.

It provides a rare chance to create clubs and step into meaningful leadership roles, which can greatly support college applications and are typically much harder to access at established high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, if it turns out to be a traditional neighborhood high school with all the traditions and sports like football, dance team, homecoming, musical production, etc., but with a unique program focus in AI, Aviation, Aerospace, Robotocs, and STEM, I think most people would be happy. The specialized program would only be open to students in the school's attendance zone, and a limited number of transfers who provide their own transportation. We already have AP focused schools, IB oriented schools, so now we'll have an aviation/aerospace/ai/robotics/stem focused school.

The superintendent will get her unique program to boost her CV, and the neighborhood will get their long awaited western high school.

So much for equitable programming, I guess.

There is no equitable programing, plenty of schools have specialty programs. . The equity is supposed to come from kids being allowed to pupil place to gain access. Is there a reason your upset this school might have a specialty program? Heck, they are inviting people to opt-in to the school, equity.

If the specialized program is only for in-boundary students, then that isn’t equitable. Ie, no pupil planning exists for out of boundary schools.

I’m not even arguing for it to be equitable, but the school board should revisit policy 8130 since equitable programming isn’t actually a goal of theirs.

Tell that to all the parents who are already annoyed with Academy programs and IB and the like. There is no equitable programming in FCPS. This whole equitable programming schtick is only popular with the no boundary change crowd because they somehow think that it makes some type of a point. It doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if no one opts in?

I have an 8th grader at Carson. Even more yesterday's video, most of her friends were saying they are going to the new high school. I am truly baffled that the Oakton parents want to stay zoned to a school 45 minutes away. We are probably going to opt in and hope that we're in boundary. The big question is if they'll let us opt out if the Crossfield PTO has its way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if no one opts in?

I have an 8th grader at Carson. Even more yesterday's video, most of her friends were saying they are going to the new high school. I am truly baffled that the Oakton parents want to stay zoned to a school 45 minutes away. We are probably going to opt in and hope that we're in boundary. The big question is if they'll let us opt out if the Crossfield PTO has its way.

Sorry that should have said -- even BEFORE yesterday's video

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if no one opts in?

I have an 8th grader at Carson. Even more yesterday's video, most of her friends were saying they are going to the new high school. I am truly baffled that the Oakton parents want to stay zoned to a school 45 minutes away. We are probably going to opt in and hope that we're in boundary. The big question is if they'll let us opt out if the Crossfield PTO has its way.

Some of the Fox Mill families planning on opting in are discussing carpooling if Fox Mill ends up not being in the boundary. There are a good number of people planning on opting in so setting up a carpool if there is no bus should be doable. It will make life easier for everyone.

I would guess that there is going to be space for pupil placement for a while. I can see the Fox Mill families that are very invested in SLHS choosing to pupil place for IB to SLHS if we are moved. At some point in time, those numbers will drop as people get used to the new school and more families transition their attachments but that might take a while. Just like I can see Crossfield families choosing to pupil place at Oakton for AP/Japanese if Crossfield is moved.