Fairfax elementary schools--why the huge discrepancies in buildings/amenities?
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Anonymous
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We are house hunting and have looked at three different elementary schools. The one I thought would be the nicest (just built in the past few years) only had one small playground for the entire 700-800 students. We toured it during the day and the gym and cafeteria were jam-packed (as well as the sad little playground, which was totally overcrowded). Another school (about 20 years older, maybe) had two enormous playground areas and a rock climbing wall in the gym. The lunch room seemed twice as big as the new school's lunch room, and was much less packed and much quieter. The third school was also in an older area and was crowded inside but had several large playgrounds outside.
I don't understand why the discrepancy between schools? Why does the newest school have such crappy physical amenities? It seems not right. |
Anonymous
| There is usually a close correlation with the level of PTA support. |
Anonymous
| Go visit the administration buldings and you'll see where the building budget goes.... |
Anonymous
| FARMS |
Anonymous
| It may be that the newer school rapidly exceeded projected enrollments. And there is a budgetary queue for more renovations. Our school was renovated for ~550 students and three years later we are over 700 students. And we are at the back of the line for more improvements, since we just had renovations not too long ago. (And we have a very active/involved PTA.) |
Anonymous
| It could also be that is was diffiulct to find a large open piece of land to build a new school in the present time. Back when the older schools were built, everything was less built up. While the rock climbing wall may have been a gift from a generous PTA, field space was not. |
Anonymous
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OP, thanks for the explanations. The new school with the worst playground had plenty of open space, just only one small slide/apparatus thing but it also was the most socio/economically diverse.
I guess when FCPS builds a new school, they provide the bare minimum and the PTA provides the rest? As far as the physical size of the school, it seems to me they should build a new school with more space than projections say it needs--how can it be so overcrowded when it has only been around for 2 or 3 years. Crazy. |
Anonymous
| our ES has a huge playground with 3 structures and a long set of swings. we are an old (but renovated) school and the PTA paid for much of the outdoor equipment. The same thing happens inside the school. Our school has smart boards bc the principla wanted to spend his budget on that, but other don't have them. i have heard that some ptas do fundraisers to buy that type of equipment for the school. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't worry about the building or the playground. Some of the oldest, smallest, most overcrowded schools in the county are actually the best. Focus on the teachers and the administration. |
Anonymous
So true! If you can talk to parents of children who have gone to the schools in question you can get some good information about the atmosphere and learning environment at the school. |
Anonymous
| Which oldest, smallest, overcrowded schools are considered the best? |
Anonymous
Poster probably had schools like Archer and Haycock in mind. |
Anonymous
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Check out Hollin Meadows. Built in the mid-1960's, not slated for a renovation anytime soon. Over 14000 square ft of garden space. Fabulous, diverse and caring place with an awesome PTA. The teachers really care about the kids.
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Anonymous
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I remember reading about new schools built without any playgrounds at all.
http://library.adoption.com/articles/no-recess-policies-being-implemented-in-u.s.-school-districts.html |
Anonymous
For high schools, Langley and TJ. |