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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Well said. We are opting in because it has the potential to be great. We have already done the traditional high school things with our older kids and guess what- they didn't want to do them, aside from 1 club and a sport. They didnt even go to the football games (except when they were on the team!). So I think our kids are very wow'ed by traditional high schools and our next child will be a frontiersman and see how he can shape a new school focused on cutting edge technology. But the beauty is, it seems like no one is going to be forced to go ever - and they restricted admission to this secret magnet to the Western area schools that are most in need of relief. So everyone saying this sounds horrible can relax, they are going to fill this school very quickly and it will all be opt in.

I like to gamble too! It’s fun and exciting!

Hope it works out for your kid.

Thanks! We think it is pretty low risk. Kid will take 4 years of math and science and English and Social Studies/History and some interesting electives. That is not exactly all that risky.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to admit, having seen the video (thank you to the poster!) I am very impressed and my son will likely be attending. I am a little concerned about the lack of conversation around AP courses but once they confirm that, for my kid - a STEM kid - its a good fit. I also work as a c-level technology executive in the defense industry and the demand for machine learning, drone, hard and soft robotics and AI is off the charts. I understand their is uncertainty around the classical high school experience (sports etc) but it's not that big of a deal for us. I can see this won't get full steam for a couple years but it will be exciting if this actually comes to be- possibly a national model.

Some U.S. school districts are in fact taking a hard look at the European model of secondary education. Schools there are more focused on developing future skills for work or university, and students choose an educational track. Sports and extracurriculars are sponsored by the local jurisdiction and not the schools themselves. There are also publicly funded sports academies throughout Europe for more athletically-inclined students. While we can only speculate, the future Western HS might be some version of the European model. FCPS is clearly interested in exploring novel educational trends based on proven models.

Yes. Let's give them all a test when they are ten years old that determines their future. Great idea!
We are not Europe. This is not a good idea.

They don't take a test at 10 years old, they take A-levels at 18 and that score alone essentially determines what colleges they get into. Unfortunately Europe has no economy once they get out but this approach to college admissions makes complete and total sense. It's not a beauty pagent, it's an academic progression. Kids in Europe reportedly have better mental health than their US counterparts, and maybe not trying to be Elon Musk in high school or joining 60 activities to look well rounded is easier on them.

Actually, they do. They take tests in 5th grade to determine what path they take for their equivalent to MS/HS. You need to score at a certain level to attend a school that preps for A levels. They take A levels at the end of HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield/Carson moms freaking out about a meeting apparently being held with 8th graders about the new high school. Are their kids so fragile that they can’t hear about the possibility of there being a new school that some kids might choose to attend? Afraid their kids will actually want to go there? I’m baffled by the freakout. 8th graders from all over the country make choices along with their parents about where to attend high school in areas with they have school choice or if they attend a private/Catholic school. They are old enough to weigh pros and cons and talk with parents about their choices. Why are we acting like kids can’t handle anything that might be stressful for them? If this is their biggest concern I’d say life is pretty cushy.

What is really funny is the the RootedinOakton website claims that sending them to KAA will separate them from their peers? Aren't their peers at Carson? What other Oakton kids go to Crossfield?

Is this being orchestrated by the Crossfield AAP parents at Navy? Makes no sense at all.

Crossfield moms were at Meren’s community meeting. They said Crossfield kids should go to Franklin.

Of course they did. They are cherry picking who their children’s peers are and saying, their peers are Navy and Waples Mill kids, not kids they have been at middle school with. Crossfield AAP parents at Navy may be part of the opposition to KAA but they’re not the ones leading the rooted in Oakton stuff.

It’s about sports and wanting to be around a certain demographic while avoiding another. It’s one thing to say you love Oakton and want to be a part of it, it’s another to say that other kids living in your own zip code are not your child’s peers. I think that’s a really gross thing to say, especially to people who live right across the parkway from you in your own neighborhood.

If crossfield went to Franklin but your child is in AAP then they'd still have to go to Carson right? Talk about isolating kids. Crossfield AAP kids would only have each other going into Oakton. Is that correct?

No, that is not correct. Franklin has an excellent AAP program already, and FCPS is also eliminating middle school AAP centers, so for two reasons, no Franklin-assigned student has to go to Carson.

You are MISSING THE POINT. The Crossfield parents who are pushing to both stay at Oakton AND to move Crossfield to Franklin HAVE KIDS AT CARSON IN AAP. THEIR KIDS WILL STAY AT CARSON. They are trying to make a decision for OTHER FAMILIES. Not theirs. This is the whole problem with that group of moms. THEY ARE BEING SELFISH. They don't are about you or anyone else. They want their kids to stay Carson-Oakton even if everyone else's kids have to go to Franklin.

This is the opposite of what they are saying. WE ARE PART OF THE CARSON COMMUNITY. Our kids play sports with kids at Carson, not kids at Franklin. STOP TRYING TO TEAR MY KID AWAY FROM FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY JUST SO YOUR SNOTTY CHILD CAN PLAY LACROSSE AT OAKTON.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

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."

Why does the area need a real school and not a magnet if the magnet is restricted to the overcrowded schools? Those preferring a real school can go to one (their zoned school) and those preferring a magnet can go to one. The school footprint screamed for magnet anyway as do our general demographics. There are a ton of STEM kids in this area - having TJ so far away makes it inaccessible to many.

It won't be a TJ 2. From what we know, it's setting up to be more like the Chantilly and Edison vocational technology academies where they offer a variety of applied elective courses. Practically none of these types of courses are accepted by 4-year universities for meaningful Gen Ed. credit like AP/IB is. The option for new aviation and AI courses is still a plus I suppose, but parents have shown time and again they prefer AP credit above all else.

You don't think it will have AP?

THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS ALREADY SAID IT WILL BE AN AP SCHOOL.

STOP MAKING UP LIES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crossfield/Carson moms freaking out about a meeting apparently being held with 8th graders about the new high school. Are their kids so fragile that they can’t hear about the possibility of there being a new school that some kids might choose to attend? Afraid their kids will actually want to go there? I’m baffled by the freakout. 8th graders from all over the country make choices along with their parents about where to attend high school in areas with they have school choice or if they attend a private/Catholic school. They are old enough to weigh pros and cons and talk with parents about their choices. Why are we acting like kids can’t handle anything that might be stressful for them? If this is their biggest concern I’d say life is pretty cushy.

What is really funny is the the RootedinOakton website claims that sending them to KAA will separate them from their peers? Aren't their peers at Carson? What other Oakton kids go to Crossfield?

Is this being orchestrated by the Crossfield AAP parents at Navy? Makes no sense at all.

Crossfield moms were at Meren’s community meeting. They said Crossfield kids should go to Franklin.

Of course they did. They are cherry picking who their children’s peers are and saying, their peers are Navy and Waples Mill kids, not kids they have been at middle school with. Crossfield AAP parents at Navy may be part of the opposition to KAA but they’re not the ones leading the rooted in Oakton stuff.

It’s about sports and wanting to be around a certain demographic while avoiding another. It’s one thing to say you love Oakton and want to be a part of it, it’s another to say that other kids living in your own zip code are not your child’s peers. I think that’s a really gross thing to say, especially to people who live right across the parkway from you in your own neighborhood.

If crossfield went to Franklin but your child is in AAP then they'd still have to go to Carson right? Talk about isolating kids. Crossfield AAP kids would only have each other going into Oakton. Is that correct?

No, that is not correct. Franklin has an excellent AAP program already, and FCPS is also eliminating middle school AAP centers, so for two reasons, no Franklin-assigned student has to go to Carson.

You are MISSING THE POINT. The Crossfield parents who are pushing to both stay at Oakton AND to move Crossfield to Franklin HAVE KIDS AT CARSON IN AAP. THEIR KIDS WILL STAY AT CARSON. They are trying to make a decision for OTHER FAMILIES. Not theirs. This is the whole problem with that group of moms. THEY ARE BEING SELFISH. They don't are about you or anyone else. They want their kids to stay Carson-Oakton even if everyone else's kids have to go to Franklin.

This is the opposite of what they are saying. WE ARE PART OF THE CARSON COMMUNITY. Our kids play sports with kids at Carson, not kids at Franklin. STOP TRYING TO TEAR MY KID AWAY FROM FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY JUST SO YOUR SNOTTY CHILD CAN PLAY LACROSSE AT OAKTON.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you feel differently then the Mom’s you are so upset with then you need to raise your own voice. The idea that you are only sending emails and posting on a board like this because you are worried about social ramifications for your kids is crazy. So what if your kid doesn’t hang out with their kid? You are prioritizing your kids social life for a year or two over what you think is important for their educational future? And your response is to TYPE IN ALL CAPS about how awful the parents are.

If it is that important to you, then say something. If you are going to prioritize the social element, then be prepared to not get what you want in terms of schools. And please stop shouting at us because you are making an active choice to prioritize socialization and not the school option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Well said. We are opting in because it has the potential to be great. We have already done the traditional high school things with our older kids and guess what- they didn't want to do them, aside from 1 club and a sport. They didnt even go to the football games (except when they were on the team!). So I think our kids are very wow'ed by traditional high schools and our next child will be a frontiersman and see how he can shape a new school focused on cutting edge technology. But the beauty is, it seems like no one is going to be forced to go ever - and they restricted admission to this secret magnet to the Western area schools that are most in need of relief. So everyone saying this sounds horrible can relax, they are going to fill this school very quickly and it will all be opt in.

Will there be bussing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Well said. We are opting in because it has the potential to be great. We have already done the traditional high school things with our older kids and guess what- they didn't want to do them, aside from 1 club and a sport. They didnt even go to the football games (except when they were on the team!). So I think our kids are very wow'ed by traditional high schools and our next child will be a frontiersman and see how he can shape a new school focused on cutting edge technology. But the beauty is, it seems like no one is going to be forced to go ever - and they restricted admission to this secret magnet to the Western area schools that are most in need of relief. So everyone saying this sounds horrible can relax, they are going to fill this school very quickly and it will all be opt in.

Will there be bussing?

Bussing remains unclear. I have heard that they will have bus depot for kids who opted in at ES schools, like TJ. I have heard that you might have to drive, which is why some of us are discussing carpooling. I have heard they might have dedicated bus routes like a normal school.

My guess, pure speculation, is that enough kids opt in from a school, they will have a bus route. If not enough kids opt-in, they will go the depot method. But I know 3 families interested in car pooling already. we need one more so that each family drives once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you feel differently then the Mom’s you are so upset with then you need to raise your own voice. The idea that you are only sending emails and posting on a board like this because you are worried about social ramifications for your kids is crazy. So what if your kid doesn’t hang out with their kid? You are prioritizing your kids social life for a year or two over what you think is important for their educational future? And your response is to TYPE IN ALL CAPS about how awful the parents are.

If it is that important to you, then say something. If you are going to prioritize the social element, then be prepared to not get what you want in terms of schools. And please stop shouting at us because you are making an active choice to prioritize socialization and not the school option.

DP but I know the people involved. I think it’s more than just social ramifications for the kids — it’s the whole family. Some people are very strongly against the possibility of having their kids attend this new school and are outright angry at anyone nearby trying to advocate to go there because they see it as a threat to what they want. That is unpleasant when you still have to go to school events, sports, scouts, etc with these people. It stinks because some of them (not the ringleaders — they aren’t nice in any setting — but some others) are otherwise nice people easy to get along with. This is really bringing out some craziness. At this point I figure most people staying quiet are fine with the new school but don’t want to incur the wrath of those who are really fired up about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel differently then the Mom’s you are so upset with then you need to raise your own voice. The idea that you are only sending emails and posting on a board like this because you are worried about social ramifications for your kids is crazy. So what if your kid doesn’t hang out with their kid? You are prioritizing your kids social life for a year or two over what you think is important for their educational future? And your response is to TYPE IN ALL CAPS about how awful the parents are.

If it is that important to you, then say something. If you are going to prioritize the social element, then be prepared to not get what you want in terms of schools. And please stop shouting at us because you are making an active choice to prioritize socialization and not the school option.

DP but I know the people involved. I think it’s more than just social ramifications for the kids — it’s the whole family. Some people are very strongly against the possibility of having their kids attend this new school and are outright angry at anyone nearby trying to advocate to go there because they see it as a threat to what they want. That is unpleasant when you still have to go to school events, sports, scouts, etc with these people. It stinks because some of them (not the ringleaders — they aren’t nice in any setting — but some others) are otherwise nice people easy to get along with. This is really bringing out some craziness. At this point I figure most people staying quiet are fine with the new school but don’t want to incur the wrath of those who are really fired up about it.

Ignore them or tell them you disagree with them about the school but don’t want to discuss it with them. If they are that irrational about it, then separate yourself from them.

I fall into the passionate crowd but know my friends are in different places. I try not to talk about it any more and try to remember to shift the topic outside of sharing information. Like I posted the video showed at Carson for a group I am in and left it at that. We can opt-in or not, so people can make a choice that fits them. In the future, kids should be able to pupil place for the special programs.

That probably doesn’t help families with kids in ES who feel like they might not end up where they want but as long as FCPS allows for pupil placing, there is probably a way to move to a closer school or a school that you desire.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s absolutely horrible they can’t come up with clear boundaries now, and have no idea how much they’ll end up spending on this new school and its specialized courses.

All this has shown is that the School Board doesn’t plan, but simply reacts, and that the idea of equity in FCPS when it comes to academics and facilities is a complete joke. I can’t wait to see if our School Board member is held accountable for this and other FCPS debacles in two years.

[Anonymous]

The fact that the school board is unwilling to setup boundaries and mandate that people within them go to the new school tells me everything I need to know about what state they feel the new school is in. If the school was on par with other FCPS HSs there would be no opt-in / opt-out policies. The board and leadership within FCPS knows this is a lemon, but for political reasons are unwilling to pause the process and get the work done that would be needed in order to make this a clearly defined process.
Sad news is by opening this year the work that will need to be done will take even longer with students in the building and further delay the timeline to which this new school is on par with the other HSs in FCPS.... sad leadership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that the school board is unwilling to setup boundaries and mandate that people within them go to the new school tells me everything I need to know about what state they feel the new school is in. If the school was on par with other FCPS HSs there would be no opt-in / opt-out policies. The board and leadership within FCPS knows this is a lemon, but for political reasons are unwilling to pause the process and get the work done that would be needed in order to make this a clearly defined process.
Sad news is by opening this year the work that will need to be done will take even longer with students in the building and further delay the timeline to which this new school is on par with the other HSs in FCPS.... sad leadership

New schools open with fewer grades and opt-out options regularly. They know people are worried about being the first in the building. I have no problem with that.

They should set the boundaries now and let people enroll in the school in January. There is no good reason to not have that set.

Construction while school is happening is normal, it won’t impact much. My kid has been through it before and wasn’t bothered by it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that the school board is unwilling to setup boundaries and mandate that people within them go to the new school tells me everything I need to know about what state they feel the new school is in. If the school was on par with other FCPS HSs there would be no opt-in / opt-out policies. The board and leadership within FCPS knows this is a lemon, but for political reasons are unwilling to pause the process and get the work done that would be needed in order to make this a clearly defined process.
Sad news is by opening this year the work that will need to be done will take even longer with students in the building and further delay the timeline to which this new school is on par with the other HSs in FCPS.... sad leadership

The school could certainly be "on par" with other schools. The issue is the lack of planning and execution. They dillydallied for months with special options instead of moving forward.

Just go back and look at the first work session on this. How did Reid begin the presentation? With how to name the school--really, the least important issue.
Then, she proceeded to present all these "special" options for the 22nd Century --when we are mostly concerned about having a school for the 21st century.

The boundaries could have been set by now--or certainly by January. But, now, it appears that everything is in flux.
The principal should already be staffing the school instead of promising to "build an airplane."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you feel differently then the Mom’s you are so upset with then you need to raise your own voice. The idea that you are only sending emails and posting on a board like this because you are worried about social ramifications for your kids is crazy. So what if your kid doesn’t hang out with their kid? You are prioritizing your kids social life for a year or two over what you think is important for their educational future? And your response is to TYPE IN ALL CAPS about how awful the parents are.

If it is that important to you, then say something. If you are going to prioritize the social element, then be prepared to not get what you want in terms of schools. And please stop shouting at us because you are making an active choice to prioritize socialization and not the school option.

DP but I know the people involved. I think it’s more than just social ramifications for the kids — it’s the whole family. Some people are very strongly against the possibility of having their kids attend this new school and are outright angry at anyone nearby trying to advocate to go there because they see it as a threat to what they want. That is unpleasant when you still have to go to school events, sports, scouts, etc with these people. It stinks because some of them (not the ringleaders — they aren’t nice in any setting — but some others) are otherwise nice people easy to get along with. This is really bringing out some craziness. At this point I figure most people staying quiet are fine with the new school but don’t want to incur the wrath of those who are really fired up about it.

Ignore them or tell them you disagree with them about the school but don’t want to discuss it with them. If they are that irrational about it, then separate yourself from them.

I fall into the passionate crowd but know my friends are in different places. I try not to talk about it any more and try to remember to shift the topic outside of sharing information. Like I posted the video showed at Carson for a group I am in and left it at that. We can opt-in or not, so people can make a choice that fits them. In the future, kids should be able to pupil place for the special programs.

That probably doesn’t help families with kids in ES who feel like they might not end up where they want but as long as FCPS allows for pupil placing, there is probably a way to move to a closer school or a school that you desire.

My kids are in late ES and I am concerned that by the time they’re going to high school there won’t be a way to opt in without being interested in whatever special program. Mine are unlikely to be interested in aviation. So we will be stuck with a long commute because people whose older kids had the option not to go there fought against us being in boundary.