Middle School Momentum in Alexandria

[Anonymous]

The previous thread on "positive momentum" in Alexandia noted the large enrollment increases in Alexandria elementary schools among middle/upper class families (especially on the east side of town) and wondered if that momentum would eventually translate to the Middle School level (6-8 in Alexandria).

According to enrollment reports, ACPS had expected 901 students at GW Middle School for 2012-13, but enrollment as of June 21st stood at 1,075. That's a huge one-year increase, and is caused by a much larger entering class of 6th graders than projected. See preliminary enrollment report:

http://eboard.acps.k12.va.us/attachments/0536f647-2e91-4735-a5e4-a2b82090f3a9.pdf


Enrollment is higher than expected at Francis Hammond, too. I'm glad more Alexandrians are questioning the conventional wisdom that middle school is the time to go private or move to Fairfax County/Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Notice that 6th grade at GW finished with 10 fewer students at the end of the current school year than at the beginning, while 7 and 8 increased enrollment over the year.

[Anonymous]

I expect that enrollment is going to dip slightly in the next 2-5 years in middle school as the Beauragard redevelopment gets underway and the current elementary school students won't move on to the City middle schools. It's unlikely that most of those residents will stay put in the City when they can move less than a mile away and be in similar cost housing and be in Farifax County. Also, the redevelopment at Arlandria will push out some of the current elementary students. Neither of these areas are being redevelopmed with family friendly housing in mind (mostly rental apartments - 1Br and 2BR ). Once Potomac Yards is more fully developed and more families move in, the numbers will shoot back up.

[Anonymous]

I think the fact that ACPS pays local reporters to act as consultants on media strategy makes people cynical that posts are being planted in sites like this. But, in any event, the numbers don't lie - looks like there will be more kids in ACPS next year.

As for GW, in particular, it looks like the initial forecasting was poor, since ACPS was originally projecting a decline from the number of students attending the school in 2011-12.

[Anonymous]

More students doesn't equal more confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More students doesn't equal more confidence.

In a place like Alexandria, where the real estate tends to be expensive, I'd say it may not equal more confidence, but it's at least associated with it. Compare that to DCPS with its numerous low-enrollment middle and high schools.

[Anonymous]

Projections have been moving up since 2008, but this year took everybody by surprise. It may not be over yet; there are always some unhelpful parents who don't register until just before school begins. Both of the middle schools are basically at capacity, and there's neither room nor $ to expand. This year, the "Middle School pull" (reflecting parents who are enrolled in ACPS public elementaries and who pull kids out to private/parochial for middle) was substantially less than 1/3 of the historical factor. This will not change, at all, at any time in the near future.

[Anonymous]

I agree. We have had a wonderful experience at TC and it is disheartening to hear the criticism from those who have had no direct exposure to the school (and by that I mean having had a child enroll).

[Anonymous]

Many of us have kids at TC and kids at privates (in our case, one of schools commonly mentioned as a top DC private), so we are able to compare what is offered at TC with other options. We've found pros and cons at both schools. TC's pros: it offers everything one could want academically. It provides incredibly enriching, life-changing experiences by allowing its students to grow up in an environment that mirrors the world they will live in as adults. Cons: students have to be self-directed and independent to take full advantage of what is available. Parents have to seek out information. It may be overwhelming for some students, who feel most comfortable in a smaller, more nurturing environment.

With regard to the "Yale or jail" reputation: TC's teachers and administrators work hard to get every student to college. The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, with an office at TC, offers college scholarships to EVERY graduate going to college. There is no distinction between Yale or NVCC. The college and career center works with EVERY student to determine how he or she can maximize opportunities after high school. However, TC takes all comers. There are kids who will go to TC and will end up in jail. That is the reality of going to an extremely large, diverse, public school. I will say, however, that in my daughter's three years at TC she has never known or heard of a student going to jail.

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher at GW, As far as the 10 students that left. Some moved out of state, one was out of district and was sent back to Hammond, and a few had parents who moved to Fairfax County and so had to also change schools. While I am sure that there may be some that may not like GW, I have never had anyone tell me that they were leaving GW because they were unhappy with the education they were receiving. Frankly, most of the teachers at GW are excellent. They work very hard and go the extra mile for your children. Like any place, including the private schools, there are always exceptions. A great education is a partnership between the student, their parents and their teachers. This is true whether you go to Sidwell Friends or GW. If you want your kids to be successful, get involved. At dinner, ask your kids what they learned at school. Communicate with the teacher. Shoot them an email whenever you have a question. Check Blackboard or whatever website the teacher has as a resource for you. We all want the same thing: happy students who love to learn!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher at GW, As far as the 10 students that left. Some moved out of state, one was out of district and was sent back to Hammond, and a few had parents who moved to Fairfax County and so had to also change schools. While I am sure that there may be some that may not like GW, I have never had anyone tell me that they were leaving GW because they were unhappy with the education they were receiving. Frankly, most of the teachers at GW are excellent. They work very hard and go the extra mile for your children. Like any place, including the private schools, there are always exceptions. A great education is a partnership between the student, their parents and their teachers. This is true whether you go to Sidwell Friends or GW. If you want your kids to be successful, get involved. At dinner, ask your kids what they learned at school. Communicate with the teacher. Shoot them an email whenever you have a question. Check Blackboard or whatever website the teacher has as a resource for you. We all want the same thing: happy students who love to learn!

Just because they didn't personally tell you, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Why do you think the parents moved to Fairfax County? Duh.

[Anonymous]

Okay, l'll play along. Let's say that 5 of the 10 students that left moved to Fairfax County, and all 5 of them moved because they didn't like the school.
So 5 families didn't like the school and left.

Head over to the Private/Independent School forum and see how many people leave their school because they don't like it. Money's not the issue, because many are discussing leaving one private and going to another. They just weren't happy with the school. There is no way that any school will satisfy every family.

I thought the earlier post by person who had a kid in a private and a kid a TC gave a really detailed description of how there are different ways to be a "good" high school.

At any rate, 5-10 families leaving because they didn't like the school, at a school campus with approx 950 students, is not exactly a "smoking gun" that proves that everyone is desperate to get out of GW.

[Anonymous]

It seems that ACPS is having a better summer than they'd had in many many years.

I'm someone that bashes the close-in underperformers quite a bit, but I can't really question the numbers here.

It's not like the economy and housing market have been stellar any time since 2008.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher at GW, As far as the 10 students that left. Some moved out of state, one was out of district and was sent back to Hammond, and a few had parents who moved to Fairfax County and so had to also change schools. While I am sure that there may be some that may not like GW, I have never had anyone tell me that they were leaving GW because they were unhappy with the education they were receiving. Frankly, most of the teachers at GW are excellent. They work very hard and go the extra mile for your children. Like any place, including the private schools, there are always exceptions. A great education is a partnership between the student, their parents and their teachers. This is true whether you go to Sidwell Friends or GW. If you want your kids to be successful, get involved. At dinner, ask your kids what they learned at school. Communicate with the teacher. Shoot them an email whenever you have a question. Check Blackboard or whatever website the teacher has as a resource for you. We all want the same thing: happy students who love to learn!

Just taking time out from the crossfire to say you sound like a great teacher! I wish all teachers had your attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a teacher at GW, As far as the 10 students that left. Some moved out of state, one was out of district and was sent back to Hammond, and a few had parents who moved to Fairfax County and so had to also change schools. While I am sure that there may be some that may not like GW, I have never had anyone tell me that they were leaving GW because they were unhappy with the education they were receiving. Frankly, most of the teachers at GW are excellent. They work very hard and go the extra mile for your children. Like any place, including the private schools, there are always exceptions. A great education is a partnership between the student, their parents and their teachers. This is true whether you go to Sidwell Friends or GW. If you want your kids to be successful, get involved. At dinner, ask your kids what they learned at school. Communicate with the teacher. Shoot them an email whenever you have a question. Check Blackboard or whatever website the teacher has as a resource for you. We all want the same thing: happy students who love to learn!

Just because they didn't personally tell you, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Why do you think the parents moved to Fairfax County? Duh.

Perhaps the families moved to FC where it is possible to get a bigger house for less money than in Alexandria City.
Or for a million other reasons not related to GW.

What grown adult uses the term "Duh"? come on now.