Alexandria City Public School - Elementary School Transfer

[Anonymous]

We are currently zoned for Samuel Tucker for my DS to start Kindergarten in fall of 2012. We are thinking of trying to get a transfer because we are not huge fans of the year-round schedule. Does anyone know what schools we might have a decent chance of getting into? I've seen the process on the website for requesting a transfer but wondering has anyone been successful at doing this? I'm sure we could easily get into one of the less desirable schools, but do we really have a shot at a decent school?

[Anonymous]

The only options according to the website are Jefferson Houston or John Adams.
Since Barrett was the only elementary school (and only school in the City) to make AYP this year, I am sure it will be next to impossible to get in there. Lyles-Crouch won't even guarantee admission to those living in their boundary anymore.

[Anonymous]

Barrett wasn't the only school to make AYP in 2010. Polk, George Mason and Patrick Henry made AYP, too.
https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/report.do?division=101&schoolName=499

The statement at the top of the file is a little misleading. It says that the school did not make AYP, but that refers to the 2011-2012 school year... the school year hasn't even started yet.

[Anonymous]

If you are not entering until a year from now, I would wait a few months (after the 2011 registration process has died down) and then contact the school to find out the process for requesting the transfer and which elementary schools will be available. Then you can visit the schools, and get a feel for what might work. You are allowed to opt-out of the year round calendar, but the schools will be really busy right now getting enrollment set for this year, so I think you'll get a faster response and better information if you wait a few months before beginning this process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are currently zoned for Samuel Tucker for my DS to start Kindergarten in fall of 2012. We are thinking of trying to get a transfer because we are not huge fans of the year-round schedule. Does anyone know what schools we might have a decent chance of getting into? I've seen the process on the website for requesting a transfer but wondering has anyone been successful at doing this? I'm sure we could easily get into one of the less desirable schools, but do we really have a shot at a decent school?

You will more than likely end up at Barrett, which is a fine school, but you will be bused.

[Anonymous]

Post above miseadlingly stated you would be bused to Barrett - this is not the case - you will not be bused from Cameron Station to CBES. I live in CS and my DD goes to Barrett - we started in the 3rd grade coming from private schools (hell!). Love absolutely love CBES. I drive DD to school and it is quite convenient as I work in DC and it is on the way from CS. CBES enrollement is bursting so I would consider the other schools mentioned above as well (Mason & MacArthur) - also Maury is looking really good these days and is worth a look if you don't get into CBES. You won't likely get bused to Maury either. City will only provide bus service to the overflow schools designated when you opt out of Tucker (Patrick Henry and ?)

[Anonymous]

Do you have a shot at a decent school? Probably not, but it impossible to say right now. Look at the Modified Open Enrollment section of the ACPS website--they have posted spreadsheets with the projections for the next couple of years. I would say the Lyles-Crouch, MacArthur, George Mason and probably Barrett will be impossible, maybe Polk or Maury?

Wait until the school year settles down and start visiting schools so you get a sense of what each school has to offer but my though would be that you could do worse than stay with Tucker.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses! I don't care about the bus, we will be picking up our DD from daycare anyway in DelRay so driving him would be fine. I'll start visiting schools in a month or so when things have died down.

Also my DS will have an IEP in place, anyone know if that will help or hurt our chances in trying to get into one of the "good" schools?

[Anonymous]

That depends on the nature of your child's disabilty and the environment you want to him/her. Some of the "good" schools have that reputation because they forced out kids with IEPs. That's probably not happening now but many of the same staff are in place so you have to ask yourself if you want your child in a school with that ingrained attitude. You should definitely be looking at Barrett--Mr. Kennard has a background in special ed and apparently doing a great job. But that's not exactly a secret in Alexandria so you will be in line with many, many, other families. Also, perhaps contact the Parent Resource Center at Jefferson Houston for some guidance and networking with other parents.

[Anonymous]

Agree with other posters - wait a bit - talk to your school, and then identify a few to visit - I don't know if it helps to meet the principals of the schools you wish to attend, but it can't hurt. For the record I have friends at both Maury and MacArthur that are very happy with special needs accommodations. Good luck.