Elder brother in HunterWoods and younger in crossfield

[Anonymous]

Hi:
Our home school is Crossfield, and our older one got into the magnet program in 2nd grade, and in 2012 fall he will attend the 3rd grade Level 4 GT in HWES. We applied for the magnet program for his brother (Who will go to the KG), and he did not get in the lottery. Does anyone know if requesting the school/county for admission in magnet school works if the sibling is already in HWES?

The bus timings are 30-40 minutes apart. Kind of inconvenient to if the 2 kids are in completely different schools. Anything I can do.. please advise

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I always thought if a child was in the Magnet program, siblings were a shoe in. That really stinks! I do know that for pupil placement (which is what would be your option here) is only available if you can prove a family/childcare hardship. I think your chances would be better if the times were not as far apart. You will at least get the bus to HWES now, if you did not get to ride when you were there only as a magnet student since bussing is provided for AAP eligible students.

Generally speaking, if the school is closed for Transfer, it will be very difficult. Looking at the Cluster 8 schools (of which Crossfield and Hunters Woods are both a part of) it looks like Hunters Woods was closed for transfers. http://www.fcps.edu/fts/dashboard/11-12dashboard.html

My thought is for you to go to the principal at HWES to explain the situation. Most families I knew who had older children in HWES in the magnet program had siblings join with little issue, but this was some years back.

I had my children at 3 schools this year (dd at Reston Preschool, ds in K at Dogwood, ds in 4th at Crossfield in LLIV) and though it was far from convenient, we survived since there were different start times. Another option if you truly do not want to split them is to do Local Level IV at Crossfield.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always thought if a child was in the Magnet program, siblings were a shoe in. That really stinks! I do know that for pupil placement (which is what would be your option here) is only available if you can prove a family/childcare hardship.

The School Board broadened the criteria for elementary school students so that if a sibling is in a special program, the other sibling can attend the elementary school provided (a) there is space and (b) the parent provide transportation. You may be able to seek out an exception to ride, but that is not guaranteed.

Here is Regulation 2230:
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/8TPJAK4C3EDA/$file/R2230.pdf

II. SUMMARY OF CHANGES SINCE LAST PUBLICATION
A. In section IV.A.5., the reference to Kindergarten has been deleted.
B. Section IV.A.6. has been changed to IV.A.5. and clarifies that sibling requests may
be approved on a space available basis.

5. Siblings
On a space available basis, a request for a student transfer by exception may be
approved by the coordinator of Student Registration for a student whose sibling
living in the same household is enrolled in the requested school.

[Anonymous]

19:59 again. PP, so is that different than pupil placement? Since HW is listed as closed for transfers, that makes it difficult. I still think going to the admin at HWES is your first step.

[Anonymous]

There is no such thing as "pupil placement" anymore. It's called a student transfer.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if I fully understand your question, but if your older child was admitted to the magnet school, then younger siblings do not have to enter the lottery once they are school-aged, they are in as well (that is how it works at Baileys ES).

[Anonymous]

I think the sibling can go to HW, but just to regular classes. Call and ask.

[Anonymous]

call and ask but that school is one of the most overcrowded in the county and is closed to transfers.