FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

How many middle schoolers are legit D1 prospects? A lot of people have that hope; far fewer actually make it. This thinking makes a lot more sense if you have a standout sophomore or junior in high school who is already being recruited, and those kids won’t have to move. If future prospects in sports is that important, there are Catholic and private schools that can be chosen based on sports. My sibling and I went to different high schools (they went public, I went private) partly because I wanted to be part of a really good team for my sport. You can’t expect a public district to cater to kids’ sports dreams. It’s not realistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

I posted this earlier--but it addresses your concern.
FWIW. I went to a new high school that added a year until it reached 12th grade. I was in the second graduating class. We had junior high schools, so I started in tenth grade with only an eleventh grade ahead of us.
We had a football team (rather mediocre), but did have at least one player who went on to D1 in a competitive conference. He ended up playing pro football and won two Super Bowl championship rings as a starter.

And, as for playing D1, DS played a sport in high school. As a sophomore, one of his teammates pupil placed to a school with a more competitive team because he very much wanted to play D1. (Mom made up a bogus story to do this.) He was a good player on a state championship team--but not a star. And, he ended up playing on a D3 team in college--the same as would have happened had he stayed at the school my son played for. And, DS also ended up on a D3 team.

I know these are anecdotal stories, but I sure wouldn't base my decision on playing D1 in college.

I could give you a lot more examples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

I posted this earlier--but it addresses your concern.
FWIW. I went to a new high school that added a year until it reached 12th grade. I was in the second graduating class. We had junior high schools, so I started in tenth grade with only an eleventh grade ahead of us.
We had a football team (rather mediocre), but did have at least one player who went on to D1 in a competitive conference. He ended up playing pro football and won two Super Bowl championship rings as a starter.

And, as for playing D1, DS played a sport in high school. As a sophomore, one of his teammates pupil placed to a school with a more competitive team because he very much wanted to play D1. (Mom made up a bogus story to do this.) He was a good player on a state championship team--but not a star. And, he ended up playing on a D3 team in college--the same as would have happened had he stayed at the school my son played for. And, DS also ended up on a D3 team.

I know these are anecdotal stories, but I sure wouldn't base my decision on playing D1 in college.

I could give you a lot more examples.

Soo many people with D1 dreams end up D3 at best. It's not just about being an elite athlete, but also having the body type and trajectory that suggest you will continue to get better through college years. I do think a lot of (future) Oakton parent concerns are more academic related, but definitely for some it's all about the sports.

[Anonymous]

I'm all for sports--it is the only thing that had my DS keep his grades up. They don't let you play otherwise.
And, you may learn a lot more life skills in sports than in academics.

But, ultimately, you need to be employable--and you need academics for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

It's actually quite ridiculous that they are thinking of giving current middle school students in 7th grade an option whether to attend KAA.

Usually when there's a boundary change or a new high school, neither rising nor current 9th graders get an option. It's one of the ways they get a new school off the ground or make sure a boundary change starts to provide some meaningful relief.

It means their model for opening the new western HS is flawed. It would make far more sense to wait another year, get KAA to the point where it can hold 1500 kids, start with 9th through 11th graders, grandfather only rising seniors, and offer varsity sports from the outset.

This superintendent and school board are utterly ridiculous. They want big change, but they promptly shy away from big change, and then they coddle everyone with a loud voice or a change.org petition. They are the very opposite of leaders.

You will get a LOT more push back from people who don't want to transfer their junior year because it is so important for college applications. They don't want to lose their positions on academic teams and clubs that is going on their college resume. Sports should not be a driving factor in the school decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

It's actually quite ridiculous that they are thinking of giving current middle school students in 7th grade an option whether to attend KAA.

Usually when there's a boundary change or a new high school, neither rising nor current 9th graders get an option. It's one of the ways they get a new school off the ground or make sure a boundary change starts to provide some meaningful relief.

It means their model for opening the new western HS is flawed. It would make far more sense to wait another year, get KAA to the point where it can hold 1500 kids, start with 9th through 11th graders, grandfather only rising seniors, and offer varsity sports from the outset.

This superintendent and school board are utterly ridiculous. They want big change, but they promptly shy away from big change, and then they coddle everyone with a loud voice or a change.org petition. They are the very opposite of leaders.

Your definition of leader and my definition are very different. A better leader listens to stakeholders rather than jamming something down their throats. I hate the school board though because I don’t think they are really responsive to constituents.

Leaders would make decisions that are in the best interests of the division as a whole, and they'd listen to all their constituents before making those decisions.

Right now we just have capitulation to the loudest and a virtual auctioning off of rights to attend "good" schools, even if it means other schools suffer.

[Anonymous]

I know for a fact that some of the Crossfield parents don't want their kids going to Western due to there not being established sports. That seems to be the driving force over academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Did I say it was data? I said "everyone I know with elementary-aged kids". I don't know anyone on the PTO Board, but haven't heard the greatest things about you and your friends, to be honest.

You said they were a "vocal minority"

I am a Xfield elementary parent and everyone I know wants to stay at Oakton. I am also not on the PTO board.

Well, this is exactly why I’m not ruling out Option B. These Oakton parents will fight really hard against being reassigned to KAA.

Speaking of Option B, it might be the cleanest solution. The entire Floris community would move to KAA, avoiding a split feeder.

They could also consider moving Oak Hill students to Carson and Crossfield students to Franklin, which means all Carson kids would be going to KAA (obviously Franklin needs to become an AAP center for this to happen).

But, it splits Fox Mill.
And, it still has FCPS putting kids on extremely long bus rides.

Option B does NOT split Fox Mill.

Bus rides is important but we are talking about Crossfield parents who would fight to stay DESPITE the long bus ride.

Look at the map. Floris boundary does not cross 286. Option B does. Please tell me which elementary school that is, then.

Apologize. I didn't realize it includes ALL of Fox Mill.

But, it doesn't matter. Meren will never approve this.

No need to apologize. It seems like you have a strong opinion.

But I am not going to rule out Option B.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s challenging to move kids from 1 high school to another - it actually affects college admissions in some cases (my kids direct admit program will not direct admit with a HS transfer - must got into review) but the middle school choice age baffles me a bit - makes the transition long and drawn out. Most of my kids are in college or grad school now (1 left) and I can say the last consideration on my list is high school sports - which my kids all played and if you watch carefully the only ones getting good outcomes have 4.2-4.6 GPAs and are top athletes and t20 schools need a few of those. All the other great athletes end up at schools you have never heard of and would never pick. And even the d1 athletes are not getting the jobs the academics get so I would highly recommend no one put more importance into HS sports than they deserve. It’s false vanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know for a fact that some of the Crossfield parents don't want their kids going to Western due to there not being established sports. That seems to be the driving force over academics.

Wow, that's crazy!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

It's actually quite ridiculous that they are thinking of giving current middle school students in 7th grade an option whether to attend KAA.

Usually when there's a boundary change or a new high school, neither rising nor current 9th graders get an option. It's one of the ways they get a new school off the ground or make sure a boundary change starts to provide some meaningful relief.

It means their model for opening the new western HS is flawed. It would make far more sense to wait another year, get KAA to the point where it can hold 1500 kids, start with 9th through 11th graders, grandfather only rising seniors, and offer varsity sports from the outset.

This superintendent and school board are utterly ridiculous. They want big change, but they promptly shy away from big change, and then they coddle everyone with a loud voice or a change.org petition. They are the very opposite of leaders.

You will get a LOT more push back from people who don't want to transfer their junior year because it is so important for college applications. They don't want to lose their positions on academic teams and clubs that is going on their college resume. Sports should not be a driving factor in the school decision.

I was like looking to see what they did when South County opened in 2005. It opened as a 7-11 secondary school and it looks like the juniors had an option to attend South County or stay at their current schools. Not sure if any younger students were given that option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

It's actually quite ridiculous that they are thinking of giving current middle school students in 7th grade an option whether to attend KAA.

Usually when there's a boundary change or a new high school, neither rising nor current 9th graders get an option. It's one of the ways they get a new school off the ground or make sure a boundary change starts to provide some meaningful relief.

It means their model for opening the new western HS is flawed. It would make far more sense to wait another year, get KAA to the point where it can hold 1500 kids, start with 9th through 11th graders, grandfather only rising seniors, and offer varsity sports from the outset.

This superintendent and school board are utterly ridiculous. They want big change, but they promptly shy away from big change, and then they coddle everyone with a loud voice or a change.org petition. They are the very opposite of leaders.

Your definition of leader and my definition are very different. A better leader listens to stakeholders rather than jamming something down their throats. I hate the school board though because I don’t think they are really responsive to constituents.

Schools are over-crowded. There is a new school that needs to be populated. Moving kids from overcrowded schools that are close to the new school makes sense. Most people don’t want their kids to move for a variety of reasons. How can make the school board accomplish relieving over crowded schools and moving kids into a new school without “jamming down their throats.”

I am a Fox Mill parent who is happy to see that Fox Mill is being considered for the move. I have neighbors who don’t want to move because they don’t like the idea of attending a school with no teams or clubs and no history. If we move, some of my neighbors are going to be happy and others upset.

We have friends who are out of Oak Hill ES who are really unhappy about moving. They have current 9th graders and don’t think that they should have to move for 10th grade. They are not pleased at the idea that they might have to provide transportation the Chantilly if the kids are allowed to stay there.

Crossfield is divided, we have seen that on this board. There is no way to make this move while listening to constituents and pissing off some people.

The entire boundary process has been a giant mess and done in a poor manner. But if they had only focused on the overcrowded schools and adjusting those boundaries there would have been secondary and tertiary affects that would have moved kids from other schools. People where not going to be happy. Very few people want to change schools, it is disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think anyone with kids that are looking to play D1 in college would prefer Oakton versus a new school just starting out so get the concern there. It's nice that they're allowing current MS to make that call where they want to go but hard when you have younger siblings who don't have that same decision and do you really want to split families up? Just hard all around.

It's actually quite ridiculous that they are thinking of giving current middle school students in 7th grade an option whether to attend KAA.

Usually when there's a boundary change or a new high school, neither rising nor current 9th graders get an option. It's one of the ways they get a new school off the ground or make sure a boundary change starts to provide some meaningful relief.

It means their model for opening the new western HS is flawed. It would make far more sense to wait another year, get KAA to the point where it can hold 1500 kids, start with 9th through 11th graders, grandfather only rising seniors, and offer varsity sports from the outset.

This superintendent and school board are utterly ridiculous. They want big change, but they promptly shy away from big change, and then they coddle everyone with a loud voice or a change.org petition. They are the very opposite of leaders.

You will get a LOT more push back from people who don't want to transfer their junior year because it is so important for college applications. They don't want to lose their positions on academic teams and clubs that is going on their college resume. Sports should not be a driving factor in the school decision.

I was like looking to see what they did when South County opened in 2005. It opened as a 7-11 secondary school and it looks like the juniors had an option to attend South County or stay at their current schools. Not sure if any younger students were given that option.

Reminder: when South County and Westfield opened, they both had an excellent principal. (same one opened both schools and had a great reputation at Chantilly, as well.)

I cannot emphasize how important this is.

Agree, though, about junior year being key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have younger kids and I want them to stay Oakton and ideally move to Franklin so the split isn't as bad. My kids are involved in high level sports. They don't even have the facilities, let alone coaches or a promising future. My kids have been playing with and building relationships with Oakton slotted kids in multiple sports for the past 6 years. My kids have been going through the renovations at crossfield for the past 3 years. Oakton has finally finished their renovations. I don't want them to go right into a high school that will be doing renovations the whole time they're there. Oakton is highly rated with excellent teachers. Western high School is unknown. Oakton has proven to be safe and secure school with little violence.

The only way your kids are building relationships with Oakton kids in sports is if you're doing Vienna Youth Sports. Most of us are doing CYA and our kids have built relationships with Chantilly and Westfield kids. This is a better move for them if you're talking about relationships for my kids. Most of their teammates are at Carson with them. I guess you're okay with your child being at a different middle school than their team mates??

Western will be a safe and secure school with little violence. I don't know why you would think otherwise. It's the same population as Carson and Carson is safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for sports--it is the only thing that had my DS keep his grades up. They don't let you play otherwise.
And, you may learn a lot more life skills in sports than in academics.

But, ultimately, you need to be employable--and you need academics for that.

I don't think anyone believes sports are more important than academics, but if they want less pushback on a new school, at least make it exciting for the first students. Give them something to look forward to. Programs, teachers, a principal, sports, anything other than "it's closer." Having varsity sports (a football team to cheer for). Pep rallies, homecoming, and Friday night lights build culture and it's part of the high school experience. They deserve the same kind of facilities and experience they would have had at any other school, not a school half empty and under major renovations. It's just too rushed.