South Arlington elementary school boundary adjustments 2019

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not going to do any of this. You cray. Certainly not any sort of tracking or "school within a school." Just move already. That's what they're going to tell you.

Not cray. This is exactly what they did on the north side 25 years ago. It’s been done before.

I am kind of new to the north side...but what elementary school(s) in NA did they put a "school within a school" 25 years ago?

It wasn’t really school within a school, but science focus, the team schools, and Key immersion was all about serving the middle class in that part of the county. I’m merely suggesting we get creative to do the same on the other side of the county.
That APS considers school within a school at Drew a failure, is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Many families felt very well served by the Montessori program at Drew. I do agree it’s perferable they have a dedicated building. It doesn’t negate the success of that program as it stands now.

And guess what? All of those programs have been dismantled, THIS YEAR. They're not going to start them up again in south Arlington. They really don't care about you, but feel free to waste your time and make an a** of yourself in the process.

Can we talk about Drew Montessori here or is that a different thread? We live in Alcova Heights and were excited to learn that the Montessori was moving to Henry, placing a choice option within walking distance. Then we learned that the program was going to be designed to retain more of the kids who attended at the preschool level, making it harder for families to join in K. If we don't get a spot through the lottery in preschool, it sounded like we were locked out of that option.

Yes, that is the point being made up thread. Even with a dedicated school, you will not have great odds for admittance. There are more families moving in with school age kids every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not going to do any of this. You cray. Certainly not any sort of tracking or "school within a school." Just move already. That's what they're going to tell you.

Not cray. This is exactly what they did on the north side 25 years ago. It’s been done before.

Go watch the SB meeting where the department of instruction basically said this (meaning tracking) was a huge mistake of the previous generation that won't be repeated. FFS, unless the Super and all his staff and at least 3/5 SB members leave in the next 6 months you're on a fool's errand. Randolph has IB, but it's for every student at the school not just some in a special program. They're not going to force out the neighborhood kids who can walk from the "Barcroft" Apartments onto buses over to a school outside of their neighborhood on the other side of Columbia Pike. I don't know what on earth you're smoking, but it's some pretty good stuff.

And I will add, right now the area I’m discussing crosses George Mason. They cross a major road right now. There are still plenty of apartments that would still be zoned to the school.

They are in the Randolph walk zone. They are not in the Barcroft walk zone.

Walk zones change when boundaries change.

No, walk zones change when physical buildings move. The kids you're talking about will always be in the walk zone to Randolph as long as Randolph is a neighborhood school. There is no plan for it to become anything other than a neighborhood school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not going to do any of this. You cray. Certainly not any sort of tracking or "school within a school." Just move already. That's what they're going to tell you.

Not cray. This is exactly what they did on the north side 25 years ago. It’s been done before.

I am kind of new to the north side...but what elementary school(s) in NA did they put a "school within a school" 25 years ago?

It wasn’t really school within a school, but science focus, the team schools, and Key immersion was all about serving the middle class in that part of the county. I’m merely suggesting we get creative to do the same on the other side of the county.
That APS considers school within a school at Drew a failure, is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Many families felt very well served by the Montessori program at Drew. I do agree it’s perferable they have a dedicated building. It doesn’t negate the success of that program as it stands now.

And guess what? All of those programs have been dismantled, THIS YEAR. They're not going to start them up again in south Arlington. They really don't care about you, but feel free to waste your time and make an a** of yourself in the process.

Can we talk about Drew Montessori here or is that a different thread? We live in Alcova Heights and were excited to learn that the Montessori was moving to Henry, placing a choice option within walking distance. Then we learned that the program was going to be designed to retain more of the kids who attended at the preschool level, making it harder for families to join in K. If we don't get a spot through the lottery in preschool, it sounded like we were locked out of that option.

Yes, that is the point being made up thread. Even with a dedicated school, you will not have great odds for admittance. There are more families moving in with school age kids every day.

They are consolidating the "satellite" locations next year and all are moving to the new school in 2019. So yeah, if you didn't get in at the preschool level, you aren't getting in to Montessori.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not going to do any of this. You cray. Certainly not any sort of tracking or "school within a school." Just move already. That's what they're going to tell you.

Not cray. This is exactly what they did on the north side 25 years ago. It’s been done before.

Go watch the SB meeting where the department of instruction basically said this (meaning tracking) was a huge mistake of the previous generation that won't be repeated. FFS, unless the Super and all his staff and at least 3/5 SB members leave in the next 6 months you're on a fool's errand. Randolph has IB, but it's for every student at the school not just some in a special program. They're not going to force out the neighborhood kids who can walk from the "Barcroft" Apartments onto buses over to a school outside of their neighborhood on the other side of Columbia Pike. I don't know what on earth you're smoking, but it's some pretty good stuff.

And I will add, right now the area I’m discussing crosses George Mason. They cross a major road right now. There are still plenty of apartments that would still be zoned to the school.

They are in the Randolph walk zone. They are not in the Barcroft walk zone.

Walk zones change when boundaries change.

No, walk zones change when physical buildings move. The kids you're talking about will always be in the walk zone to Randolph as long as Randolph is a neighborhood school. There is no plan for it to become anything other than a neighborhood school.

Zones change when boundaries change. It’s not clear from the map of those kids could still walk to Barcroft. It appears so.

[Anonymous]

^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

What about access to equal education? I know we can't have everything, but the fact that this program is so popular, which is clearly a means to avoid lower performing schools should be a signal to the SB. You half the county schools failing kids and the lucky families get into Montessori or Arlington Traditional (which is also being restricted to more VPI spots). We should have more equity among the schools. This is too good of an area for people to move from. Just like in Brooklyn, we all need to demand change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're not going to do any of this. You cray. Certainly not any sort of tracking or "school within a school." Just move already. That's what they're going to tell you.

Not cray. This is exactly what they did on the north side 25 years ago. It’s been done before.

I am kind of new to the north side...but what elementary school(s) in NA did they put a "school within a school" 25 years ago?

It wasn’t really school within a school, but science focus, the team schools, and Key immersion was all about serving the middle class in that part of the county. I’m merely suggesting we get creative to do the same on the other side of the county.
That APS considers school within a school at Drew a failure, is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Many families felt very well served by the Montessori program at Drew. I do agree it’s perferable they have a dedicated building. It doesn’t negate the success of that program as it stands now.

And guess what? All of those programs have been dismantled, THIS YEAR. They're not going to start them up again in south Arlington. They really don't care about you, but feel free to waste your time and make an a** of yourself in the process.

You seem very angry. I’m not sure why you are so emotional over this. This is the beginning of a discussion. It think it’s helpful to start thinking outside of the box.

Because you are being ridiculous. It's not "outside of the box" thinking. It's magical thinking. You have not been paying attention, so let me help you out here:

The ES boundaries will be drawn based on geographic proximity, aiming to maximize the number of walkers and make bus routes more efficient. That's it. Nothing else. There won't be any new option programs, but they may move some currently existing programs from their current locations, again to maximize the number of walkers and make bus routes more efficient. It's best to deal with reality rather than pie-in-the-sky ideas that they SB and APS staff has already rejected very recently. Why would you waste your time, or anyone else's time like that? If you start from an idea that might actually be possible, you might be able to accomplish something. But if you're just going to go back to ideas that have been floated and recently rejected, you aren't doing anything other than wasting effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

2/3 VPI preference.

Choice programs north of 50 = designed to benefit UMC
Choice programs south of 50 = designed to benefit working poor*

Not a bad thing, but it would be great if Alcova Heights, Douglas Park, Barcroft neighborhoods and other surrounding SFH neighborhoods were also being well served.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

I think closing the satellite locations is intentional and is an effort to retain preschoolers. They know that most families at the satellite locations were using them just for preschool and then switching over to the Option program or neighborhood school after K. So, if they're all located in one place that's probably less convenient for the families who were using the satellite locations, you've already selected out the families who aren't interested in Montessori for its pedagogy rather than its convenience. They think it means the preschool kids will be more likely to stay all the way through 5th. Not sure if this is how it'll pan out. But it does mean that there won't be any space for new people at the ES level. They're expanding from the bottom up. The program will grow, but if you're already at ES level, it's too late for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

2/3 VPI preference.

Choice programs north of 50 = designed to benefit UMC
Choice programs south of 50 = designed to benefit working poor*

Not a bad thing, but it would be great if Alcova Heights, Douglas Park, Barcroft neighborhoods and other surrounding SFH neighborhoods were also being well served.

What choice program N of 50 are designed to benefit the UMC? The only option schools N of 50 are ATS, which is countywide, and Key, which serves N and S Arlington on the eastern half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

What about access to equal education? I know we can't have everything, but the fact that this program is so popular, which is clearly a means to avoid lower performing schools should be a signal to the SB. You half the county schools failing kids and the lucky families get into Montessori or Arlington Traditional (which is also being restricted to more VPI spots). We should have more equity among the schools. This is too good of an area for people to move from. Just like in Brooklyn, we all need to demand change.

Montessori poster here. I don't disagree with your point. We are in the Nauck neighborhood, also traditionally poorly served by APS though folks tend to focus on Barcroft and Alcova Heights. We choiced into Drew and are one of those lucky families. Similarly, we have neighbors who got into ATS. Maybe because we have this great "choice" option, we won't rabble rouse about how lousy the neighborhood schools are - just like the SB drew it up. Or maybe we will. But my only point with the above is just that the rules haven't really changed.

Not sure the rules will change now either, given the recent Staff/SB emphasis on walkability. I'm on your team, but our team seems to be losing. Hence the cynicism from the earlier poster about concentrating the Barcroft zone and letting the SB/CB deal with the consequences of their actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

I think closing the satellite locations is intentional and is an effort to retain preschoolers. They know that most families at the satellite locations were using them just for preschool and then switching over to the Option program or neighborhood school after K. So, if they're all located in one place that's probably less convenient for the families who were using the satellite locations, you've already selected out the families who aren't interested in Montessori for its pedagogy rather than its convenience. They think it means the preschool kids will be more likely to stay all the way through 5th. Not sure if this is how it'll pan out. But it does mean that there won't be any space for new people at the ES level. They're expanding from the bottom up. The program will grow, but if you're already at ES level, it's too late for you.

Montessori poster here. I don't follow your point, which I'm sure is my fault and not yours. We are a Drew family, so I don't understand the satellite programs as fully. I will say, though, that I had also previously had the impression that satellite preschoolers were also guaranteed Montessori through elem at Drew. That now is plainly different, and I don't know if I misunderstood initially or if the rule changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

I think closing the satellite locations is intentional and is an effort to retain preschoolers. They know that most families at the satellite locations were using them just for preschool and then switching over to the Option program or neighborhood school after K. So, if they're all located in one place that's probably less convenient for the families who were using the satellite locations, you've already selected out the families who aren't interested in Montessori for its pedagogy rather than its convenience. They think it means the preschool kids will be more likely to stay all the way through 5th. Not sure if this is how it'll pan out. But it does mean that there won't be any space for new people at the ES level. They're expanding from the bottom up. The program will grow, but if you're already at ES level, it's too late for you.

Montessori poster here. I don't follow your point, which I'm sure is my fault and not yours. We are a Drew family, so I don't understand the satellite programs as fully. I will say, though, that I had also previously had the impression that satellite preschoolers were also guaranteed Montessori through elem at Drew. That now is plainly different, and I don't know if I misunderstood initially or if the rule changed.

Students at the satellite locations do have a guarantee to attend the Montessori program at Drew to continue through ES. But not many opt not to continue in Montessori, preferring to attend the option/neighborhood school in which the satellites were located. So Montessori was "losing" students at 1st grade and therefore had some spots available to newcomers. However, now that satellites are closing, the theory is there won't be that same attrition. And I think they're correct. But that means you have to apply to Montessori at Henry if you want the chance at ES. They'll add more preschool classrooms at the new school and the school will "grow" from the preschool upward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

2/3 VPI preference.

Choice programs north of 50 = designed to benefit UMC
Choice programs south of 50 = designed to benefit working poor*

Not a bad thing, but it would be great if Alcova Heights, Douglas Park, Barcroft neighborhoods and other surrounding SFH neighborhoods were also being well served.

What choice program N of 50 are designed to benefit the UMC? The only option schools N of 50 are ATS, which is countywide, and Key, which serves N and S Arlington on the eastern half.

You aren’t looking at context. Science focus, Key, ATS, the team model was all set up to better serve upper middle class families when the demographics were different.
Ya know... when houses were 650k and there was a bit more diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ on the Montessori point, my child is in the Drew program and got in as a preschooler. At the time we applied, it was my understanding that entrance as a 3 year old was the only way to guarantee access to Montessori as an elementary student. That hasn't changed and I don't know why it would change simply because Montessori is going to a new building. I don't think there's anything being "designed" to retain preschoolers more than in prior years, unless maybe people think that the Henry location is more convenient and therefore are less likely to re-route their kids to their home elem starting in K. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many parents seemed to think otherwise at the Montessori meeting the other night.

That said, I also think it's pretty clear from the Montessori meeting and from the reality of Arlington's school-age population that the Montessori program will expand once located at Henry. They have done projections to expand it out to 700+ students, from its current status at around 460 students. It's not going to happen next year, so doesn't do parents of current private/sattelite Montessori programs any good, but it seems inevitable that it will expand down the line.

2/3 VPI preference.

Choice programs north of 50 = designed to benefit UMC
Choice programs south of 50 = designed to benefit working poor*

Not a bad thing, but it would be great if Alcova Heights, Douglas Park, Barcroft neighborhoods and other surrounding SFH neighborhoods were also being well served.

What choice program N of 50 are designed to benefit the UMC? The only option schools N of 50 are ATS, which is countywide, and Key, which serves N and S Arlington on the eastern half.

You aren’t looking at context. Science focus, Key, ATS, the team model was all set up to better serve upper middle class families when the demographics were different.
Ya know... when houses were 650k and there was a bit more diversity.

But they think it was all a mistake. Don't you see? They aren't looking to repeat that model. This doesn't mean I agree with them, but it is what it is.