the Key/ASFS building switch...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

There is plenty of data to refute the idea that 'the vast majority' are transferring to Key to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools. just look at the transfer report-
https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Transfer-Report-2017-18.pdf Key had a total of 404 transfers. Highest number from Long Branch and Taylor (yes, Key is no doubt a convenient location, but that is not to avoid 'subpar' schools.) Then Glebe, Barrett, Henry, Discovery, Jamestown, Then Barcroft and Carlin Springs at 10 transfers each.

[Anonymous]

Is there a law requiring they go to the nearest walkable school? If Key is the closest school to Rosslyn, and it essentially filled by all the PUs Eastof Taylor LV, why do they have to move the Taylor PUs to Key, with the result of busing lower income Rosslyn students on the longest bus ride in the county? Why are you assuming they are doing that, when soon their will be huge excess capacity in the NW of the county?

Not a law but one of the factors APS purportedly touts is walkabity. These LV kids are currently being bussed to Taylor, so yeah, you’re going to have to justify the cost of continuing to bus them if they can walk to a neighborhood school. And adding bus time to students who are already bussed isn’t going to cut it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

No one zoned for long branch is actually closer to key. You need to look at a map troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

No one zoned for long branch is actually closer to key. You need to look at a map troll.

I posted a map two pages ago

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ESZones_Letter_2018_web.pdf

North of Pershing many PUs would be closer to Key than far south LB

If you commute by metro, Key would be a huge boon.

Sorry you can’t be bother to actually look at the map I posted before calling people names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

There is plenty of data to refute the idea that 'the vast majority' are transferring to Key to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools. just look at the transfer report-
https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Transfer-Report-2017-18.pdf Key had a total of 404 transfers. Highest number from Long Branch and Taylor (yes, Key is no doubt a convenient location, but that is not to avoid 'subpar' schools.) Then Glebe, Barrett, Henry, Discovery, Jamestown, Then Barcroft and Carlin Springs at 10 transfers each.

Glebe and Barret we both very different from Discovery, looking at test scores.

And why are ther Barcroft or CS transfers at all, they should go to Claremont.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

No one zoned for long branch is actually closer to key. You need to look at a map troll.

I posted a map two pages ago

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ESZones_Letter_2018_web.pdf

North of Pershing many PUs would be closer to Key than far south LB

If you commute by metro, Key would be a huge boon.

Sorry you can’t be bother to actually look at the map I posted before calling people names.

You should look more closely at your map. The closest long branch planning unit to key are the ones immediately south of rocky run. The Corner of Barton and 9th street is 0.7 miles to long branch and 0.8 to key according to google maps walking directions. No one west of wash boulevard currently zoned long branch could be closer to key than long branch.
Yes the proximity to metro is a huge boon, but I doubt people are basing their choices around being close to the metro when they are over a mile walk.
I really doubt any of the transfers from that area are walking with young kids over a mile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

There is plenty of data to refute the idea that 'the vast majority' are transferring to Key to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools. just look at the transfer report-
https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Transfer-Report-2017-18.pdf Key had a total of 404 transfers. Highest number from Long Branch and Taylor (yes, Key is no doubt a convenient location, but that is not to avoid 'subpar' schools.) Then Glebe, Barrett, Henry, Discovery, Jamestown, Then Barcroft and Carlin Springs at 10 transfers each.

Glebe and Barret we both very different from Discovery, looking at test scores.

And why are ther Barcroft or CS transfers at all, they should go to Claremont.

Claremont was too full, so Key took some kids from their waitlist (in past years, that was the policy as it was written; not sure if that has been changed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The vast majority of people who want Immersion do so to avoid sub-par neighborhood schools, hence why so many non-native on the waitlist.

That's certainly a common belief, particularly amongst those who are (depending on your perspective) either hostile to immersion or not in favor of immersion. I don't know if there is any data to support or refute this hypothesis.

People love to say this, but it hasn’t been my experience at Key at all. The non-native Spanish speaking families I know all chose Key because they value immersion. Many are zoned for “good” schools like Taylor yet chose Key.

No one is going to admit that to other school parents

But the vast majority of Key and Long Branch families live closer to Key than their ‘Neighborhood’ school.

No one zoned for long branch is actually closer to key. You need to look at a map troll.

I posted a map two pages ago

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ESZones_Letter_2018_web.pdf

North of Pershing many PUs would be closer to Key than far south LB

If you commute by metro, Key would be a huge boon.

Sorry you can’t be bother to actually look at the map I posted before calling people names.

You should look more closely at your map. The closest long branch planning unit to key are the ones immediately south of rocky run. The Corner of Barton and 9th street is 0.7 miles to long branch and 0.8 to key according to google maps walking directions. No one west of wash boulevard currently zoned long branch could be closer to key than long branch.
Yes the proximity to metro is a huge boon, but I doubt people are basing their choices around being close to the metro when they are over a mile walk.
I really doubt any of the transfers from that area are walking with young kids over a mile.

My point is if there was widespread demand for immersion, it would be more geographically distributed among the feeder schools.

As far as commuting, for many PUs Key would be a clear advantage over likely backtracking to Taylor or LB for many commutes, given where they are located at far edge of their own boundaries. That is likely a much larger driver for Key attendance than latent Immersion, and would explain why those two schools dominate attendance

[Anonymous]

What does Cherrydale want out of this?

[Anonymous]

Just received this invitation from the President of the Cherrydale Citizens Association. Looks like not everyone is on board with the proposed swap:

Sept. 24 Joint Mtg with the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association to Discuss the APS proposal to swap Key Elementary and Arlington Science Focus Schools

Join us for a joint meeting of the Cherrydale Citizens Association and the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association on September 24, 7pm, at Science Focus School, 1501 N. Lincoln St., to discuss Arlington Public Schools’ proposal to swap the Key Elementary and Science Focus Schools. APS staff proposed this switch in late August, and it proposes it take effect in fall 2020 or fall 2021. APS staff claims that they can make this switch without approval of our elected School Board.

This proposal leaves many unanswered questions. Key’s Spanish immersion program currently has more students than can fit into the ASFS building and trailers. APS proposes to either shrink the program or further reduce outdoor space. Additionally, APS has not addressed the impact on native speakers who live near Key School but whose families have indicated that they would not send their kids to the new location. Nor has APS addressed what would happen to Virginia Square and Cherrydale students who transferred to Science Focus based on location. Our goal in Cherrydale is to increase walkability to neighborhood schools. This does not seem like a step in the right direction. Come the meeting to learn more and make yourselves heard.

Jim Todd

President
Cherrydale Citizens Association

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just received this invitation from the President of the Cherrydale Citizens Association. Looks like not everyone is on board with the proposed swap:

Sept. 24 Joint Mtg with the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association to Discuss the APS proposal to swap Key Elementary and Arlington Science Focus Schools

Join us for a joint meeting of the Cherrydale Citizens Association and the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association on September 24, 7pm, at Science Focus School, 1501 N. Lincoln St., to discuss Arlington Public Schools’ proposal to swap the Key Elementary and Science Focus Schools. APS staff proposed this switch in late August, and it proposes it take effect in fall 2020 or fall 2021. APS staff claims that they can make this switch without approval of our elected School Board.

This proposal leaves many unanswered questions. Key’s Spanish immersion program currently has more students than can fit into the ASFS building and trailers. APS proposes to either shrink the program or further reduce outdoor space. Additionally, APS has not addressed the impact on native speakers who live near Key School but whose families have indicated that they would not send their kids to the new location. Nor has APS addressed what would happen to Virginia Square and Cherrydale students who transferred to Science Focus based on location. Our goal in Cherrydale is to increase walkability to neighborhood schools. This does not seem like a step in the right direction. Come the meeting to learn more and make yourselves heard.

Jim Todd

President
Cherrydale Citizens Association

Yep, keep pushing the issue this fall, it's the best way to accelerate the swap. If the ASFS/Key people sufficiently disrupt this fall's South Arlington boundary process with this issue, APS will do the swap for the 2020 school year and get it over with so that it doesn't totally derail the North Arlington boundary process that fall.

[Anonymous]

Yep, keep pushing the issue this fall, it's the best way to accelerate the swap. If the ASFS/Key people sufficiently disrupt this fall's South Arlington boundary process with this issue, APS will do the swap for the 2020 school year and get it over with so that it doesn't totally derail the North Arlington boundary process that fall.

This isn't an off-the wall comment, but if those opposed let the issue sit for now, it will achieve an aura of inevitability. If they want a different outcome, I don't think they can afford to wait. They need to make their case now, while other options are still available.

[Anonymous]

I like the crocodile tears for the native Spanish speakers near Key. That’s definitely who the Virginia Square and Cherrydale people holding that meeting are worried about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yep, keep pushing the issue this fall, it's the best way to accelerate the swap. If the ASFS/Key people sufficiently disrupt this fall's South Arlington boundary process with this issue, APS will do the swap for the 2020 school year and get it over with so that it doesn't totally derail the North Arlington boundary process that fall.

This isn't an off-the wall comment, but if those opposed let the issue sit for now, it will achieve an aura of inevitability. If they want a different outcome, I don't think they can afford to wait. They need to make their case now, while other options are still available.

Cherrydale should be pushing for two neighborhood schools rather than just fighting the building swap. I don't see how they can get what they want (a neighborhood school for Cherrydale and VA Square) without the kids from further east having a building to go to instead. The numbers don't work if immersion stays.