FCPS Skyview Boundary Revised Scenario 1 / 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

You cannot include Floris in that combination because most of the FARMS kids from Floris are currently at Westfield if housing has anything to do with it. While there are some affluent kids assigned to Floris, those assigned to South Lakes are almost all affluent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

Unfortunately this process only favors those who want to stay and those who want to leave. There’s little consideration to the voices of those left behind. The same thing happened with Marshall’s boundaries during the comprehensive review.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

I think this analysis is correct. A 2000 student Langley can support lots of electives and AP courses. A 2000 student HS that is 40%+ FARMS is not going to be able to offer half as many electives and AP courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

You cannot include Floris in that combination because most of the FARMS kids from Floris are currently at Westfield if housing has anything to do with it. While there are some affluent kids assigned to Floris, those assigned to South Lakes are almost all affluent.

But Floris has an almost negligible amount of FARMs kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its impossible to get accurate numbers because they are all split feeders currently.

Exactly. The closest estimate would be to look at Stone’s FARM rates, which are around 35% compared to Westfield which is about 31%. Stone will be picking most of the Franklin peninsula south of 50, plus the Bull Run island.

So the part of Westfield going to Skyview is about equal to the part of Westfield being left behind, but all they are backfilling them with are lower income apartments. The FARM rate will go up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

You cannot include Floris in that combination because most of the FARMS kids from Floris are currently at Westfield if housing has anything to do with it. While there are some affluent kids assigned to Floris, those assigned to South Lakes are almost all affluent.

But Floris has an almost negligible amount of FARMs kids.

Yes, but Floris also sends kids to South Lakes. I would guess that most of the 10% FARMS is currently at Westfield along with some more affluent kids. I doubt Westfield will hit anywhere near 40% if the two really poor neighborhoods stayed put at Centreville and Chantilly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

You cannot include Floris in that combination because most of the FARMS kids from Floris are currently at Westfield if housing has anything to do with it. While there are some affluent kids assigned to Floris, those assigned to South Lakes are almost all affluent.

But Floris has an almost negligible amount of FARMs kids.

Yes, but Floris also sends kids to South Lakes. I would guess that most of the 10% FARMS is currently at Westfield along with some more affluent kids. I doubt Westfield will hit anywhere near 40% if the two really poor neighborhoods stayed put at Centreville and Chantilly.

If they included Walney Oakes and all of Bull Run it probably would have been a net neutral for Westfield, Centreville, and maybe Chantilly for FARM rates (Chantilly’s might go up without Oak Hill.)

[Anonymous]

If I were a Westfield parent, I would be laying out the decision to send Brookfield's poorest along with Bull Run's poorest to Westfield.

They are both much closer to their current high schools and other, more reasonable choices for Westfield, are not assigned to Westfield under this scenario.

I would contact EVERY school board member to point this out. I would suggest bringing up One Fairfax and the hypocrisy of claiming to stand for equity and yet making these choices.

I think I would also contact the press, though they are usually supportive of the leadership of FCPS.

This is not fair to the Westfield community, but, even more, it is egregious to the poor students at Brookfield who are able to walk to Chantilly, if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

Unfortunately this process only favors those who want to stay and those who want to leave. There’s little consideration to the voices of those left behind. The same thing happened with Marshall’s boundaries during the comprehensive review.

Yep, and it happened with Melanie Meren’s support, which is why many of us have no interest listening to her whining when it comes to South Lakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were a Westfield parent, I would be laying out the decision to send Brookfield's poorest along with Bull Run's poorest to Westfield.

They are both much closer to their current high schools and other, more reasonable choices for Westfield, are not assigned to Westfield under this scenario.

I would contact EVERY school board member to point this out. I would suggest bringing up One Fairfax and the hypocrisy of claiming to stand for equity and yet making these choices.

I think I would also contact the press, though they are usually supportive of the leadership of FCPS.

This is not fair to the Westfield community, but, even more, it is egregious to the poor students at Brookfield who are able to walk to Chantilly, if needed.

Highlighting One Fairfax is not a winning argument. In fact, it’d get Fairfax County in a lot of legal trouble if they relied on it in this environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was short sighted of the RIO people, because once Oakton is overcrowded, they are the first ones to go, and its going to be to South Lakes.

Uh huh. That's like saying Langley is just a few years away from seeing some of its neighborhoods moved to Herndon. You may wish that happens, but the people at those schools know how to work the system far better than you can ever imagine.

In the mean time our kids will be packed into the high school like sardines. Oakton will be the new Chantilly.

Oakton has more permanent capacity and a larger campus than Chantilly. If it hits the same enrollment as Chantilly, the overcrowding may not feel quite as obvious.

Bad but "not quite as obvious" as the current worst overcrowded school is a pretty low bar to aim for when we just spent taxpayer money on a whole new high school to alleviate exactly this problem in this part of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was short sighted of the RIO people, because once Oakton is overcrowded, they are the first ones to go, and its going to be to South Lakes.

Uh huh. That's like saying Langley is just a few years away from seeing some of its neighborhoods moved to Herndon. You may wish that happens, but the people at those schools know how to work the system far better than you can ever imagine.

In the mean time our kids will be packed into the high school like sardines. Oakton will be the new Chantilly.

Oakton has more permanent capacity and a larger campus than Chantilly. If it hits the same enrollment as Chantilly, the overcrowding may not feel quite as obvious.

Bad but "not quite as obvious" as the current worst overcrowded school is a pretty low bar to aim for when we just spent taxpayer money on a whole new high school to alleviate exactly this problem in this part of the county.

Yes. And, especially since the new high school could have given justified relief to Oakton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was short sighted of the RIO people, because once Oakton is overcrowded, they are the first ones to go, and its going to be to South Lakes.

Uh huh. That's like saying Langley is just a few years away from seeing some of its neighborhoods moved to Herndon. You may wish that happens, but the people at those schools know how to work the system far better than you can ever imagine.

In the mean time our kids will be packed into the high school like sardines. Oakton will be the new Chantilly.

Oakton has more permanent capacity and a larger campus than Chantilly. If it hits the same enrollment as Chantilly, the overcrowding may not feel quite as obvious.

Bad but "not quite as obvious" as the current worst overcrowded school is a pretty low bar to aim for when we just spent taxpayer money on a whole new high school to alleviate exactly this problem in this part of the county.

Yes. And, especially since the new high school could have given justified relief to Oakton.

Tell that to the families that fought the relief. If other families at Oakton were concerned about the overcrowding, they could have supported Crossfield moving to Skyview. All it took was writing letters and commenting on the scenarios. Instead they didn't say anything, which tells me that the crowding at Oakton isn't as bad as you think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the Westfield parents were reasonable, happy to take any kids zoned into their school, and followed the procedures they were supposed to: emailing the SB and commenting on the boundary tool. And their school is being treated like trash.

So the message to the rest of FCPS families for any future boundary changes is don't follow the given procedures, harass and hound Reid and the SB members, make sure a lobbyist and someone who works at Gatehouse lives in your neighborhood, and lie about being able to hear a school band. Whatever you do, don't be polite and reasonable.

I think Westfield is in a weird position because:

1) The schools moving out of Westfield are higher FARMs schools, so their departure doesn't really impact the AP program since most of the kids leaving probably are not in those classes
2) Floris makes sense in terms of location and reunifying a split feeder school
3) It is weird to be vocal about "We want these ES to be moved because we are losing a lot of kids and we need those seats backfilled"
4) Most people don't want to anger others by demanding that their kids are moved to your school, regardless of how proud you are of the school.

It is a perfect storm made worse by the fact that Dixit lives in a neighborhood that should move and she doesn't want to so there is no chance that is going to happen.

This isn't accurate. Its a mix of SES kids moving out.

How many Floris kids vs how many FARMs kids?

McNair is 44% FARMs (about 457 students)
Coates is 54% FARMs (about 882 students)
Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students)

Westfield is losing a lot of poverty with the schools that are moving out. Probably far more then they are gaining with the few kids moving to the school. Roughly 2/3 of the kids moving out are FARMs, that is huge.

Huh?

I did an analysis just looking at the size of the current 6th grade classes at Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper, based on the overall FARMS rates reported in 2024-25. It suggests that on a combined basis Coates, Floris, and McNair Upper would have a FARMS rate of about 32.8%, nowhere near 2/3 of the kids.

In 2024-25, Westfield's FARMS rate was 31.3%, so the kids moving out are probably slightly higher FARMS than Westfield. On the other hand, the kids moving into Westfield from Chantilly and Centreville may be substantially higher FARMS, since those areas are understood to be some of the higher FARMS neighborhoods at Brookfield (58.0% overall FARMS in 2024-25), Bull Run (43.1% overall FARMS in 2024-25), and Cub Run (22.9% overall FARMS in 2024-25).

So the Westfield parents are right to think that the Skyview-related changes will leave their school substantially smaller, and likely with a higher FARMS rate to boot. That's the double whammy for them.

You cannot include Floris in that combination because most of the FARMS kids from Floris are currently at Westfield if housing has anything to do with it. While there are some affluent kids assigned to Floris, those assigned to South Lakes are almost all affluent.

But Floris has an almost negligible amount of FARMs kids.

Yes, but Floris also sends kids to South Lakes. I would guess that most of the 10% FARMS is currently at Westfield along with some more affluent kids. I doubt Westfield will hit anywhere near 40% if the two really poor neighborhoods stayed put at Centreville and Chantilly.

So taking that Floris is 13% FARMs (about 624 Students total, 81 FARMS). Roughly 20% of the 624 (125) go to SLHS currently, and are probably 99% non-FARMS. That leaves 500 Floris kids coming out of Westfield, of which 81 are FARMS. So the Floris FARMS rate that's coming out of WESTFIELD is more like 16% vs. 13%.

So all in all no matter how you slice it Floris is a low-FARMS school getting pulled out of Westfield.

[Anonymous]

Moving 77 poor kids out of one elementary school will substantially reduce its Farms rate. So Seema is really enriching her neighbors all the way thru the pyramid. Trashy.