APS: I can't keep up! (ASFS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:9:18 - I don't know anyone who has bought into Jamestown or Taylor hoping to get into ASFS. Jamestown and Taylor are very good in their own right, and I don't think much of the high property values are related to the potential to get into ASFS. (I do think it drives the property values around Key, but that is also driven by metro proximity and how close-in it is to DC.)

Clearly there is a big demand for a choice school with a science focus - perhaps they should build one (Reed?) and let ASFS revert back to a purely neighborhood school, albeit one with a nicer lab than most.

There are a huge number of Jamestown kids at ASF--always has been. I have to drive my kids to play dates because so many of their friends live in CCH.

This has started to change with the opening of Discovery and many now choosing the brand new school.

[Anonymous]

I'm musing on the question of AH and county resources and just amazed (and bewildered) that in light of the insane pressures on the APS system the county really wants our feedback on "pubic art."

Maybe I'm just a philistine, but give me some decent schools and then we can talk about frigging art!

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/comprehensive-plan/public-spaces-master-plan/public-art-master-plan/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9:18 - I don't know anyone who has bought into Jamestown or Taylor hoping to get into ASFS. Jamestown and Taylor are very good in their own right, and I don't think much of the high property values are related to the potential to get into ASFS. (I do think it drives the property values around Key, but that is also driven by metro proximity and how close-in it is to DC.)

Clearly there is a big demand for a choice school with a science focus - perhaps they should build one (Reed?) and let ASFS revert back to a purely neighborhood school, albeit one with a nicer lab than most.

There are a huge number of Jamestown kids at ASF--always has been. I have to drive my kids to play dates because so many of their friends live in CCH.

This has started to change with the opening of Discovery and many now choosing the brand new school.

^^ the Taylor kids going to ASF live right next to the school. I would want to go there as well if it was just a block or 2 away without having to cross busy streets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm musing on the question of AH and county resources and just amazed (and bewildered) that in light of the insane pressures on the APS system the county really wants our feedback on "pubic art."

Maybe I'm just a philistine, but give me some decent schools and then we can talk about frigging art!

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/comprehensive-plan/public-spaces-master-plan/public-art-master-plan/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

Glad it's working for you Mr. Chopra. It's not working for the entire rest of the county. You don't get special rules, though I'm sure this comes as a shock since they let you fund and build your own science lab and they won't even let our Title 1 school replace a fence that's falling down (we need approval and to to wait for Facilities to get around to it). This overhaul is long overdue. Kindly move to FFX since all you want is to prime your kid for TJ anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

And where are we going to get the land/space for a third immersion school right now? And no, it's not just about that. It's about equity across the board and eliminating these hybrid choice programs with geographic preferences. You're not looking at the big picture, you're just looking out for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

Glad it's working for you Mr. Chopra. It's not working for the entire rest of the county. You don't get special rules, though I'm sure this comes as a shock since they let you fund and build your own science lab and they won't even let our Title 1 school replace a fence that's falling down (we need approval and to to wait for Facilities to get around to it). This overhaul is long overdue. Kindly move to FFX since all you want is to prime your kid for TJ anyway.

OMG, I know! The fact that they let parents donate all that money to build a special lab (like 1K a family) is disgusting. I'd be a little more OK with it if our principal had told us that PTA giving funds for something that makes us perceived as better then less-well-off schools was not allowed. At least the leaders at our school have some integrity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

Glad it's working for you Mr. Chopra. It's not working for the entire rest of the county. You don't get special rules, though I'm sure this comes as a shock since they let you fund and build your own science lab and they won't even let our Title 1 school replace a fence that's falling down (we need approval and to to wait for Facilities to get around to it). This overhaul is long overdue. Kindly move to FFX since all you want is to prime your kid for TJ anyway.

Geez, so angry. I'm the poster you're responding to and I'm not Mr. Chopra. Not even close. My kids previously attended Key, so that's my connection. We had the option and chose not to go to ASFS. I'm sorry you're having issues with your school, and obviously it's not right if facilities doesn't address those problems, but changes to ASFS attendance zone are unlikely to make a meaningful dent in those problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

And where are we going to get the land/space for a third immersion school right now? And no, it's not just about that. It's about equity across the board and eliminating these hybrid choice programs with geographic preferences. You're not looking at the big picture, you're just looking out for yourself.

My kids are no longer in school at Key (I'm the poster you're responding to), but that's my connection. I've followed the issue because I'm concerned about edging out the spanish speaking population from Key, so in that sense I guess I'm looking out for myself, but it's one of the reasons for the program's existence so I don't apologize for that. As for ASFS, I obviously just view it differently than you. If there are inequities in access to a science focus school I personally think it makes more sense to introduce a similar program at a second facility rather than fewing up a few seats and disrupting the status quo. I guess you disagree. I'm sorry you feel the need to dismiss me as looking out only for myself. I'll let you all carry on with this conversation amongst yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

And where are we going to get the land/space for a third immersion school right now? And no, it's not just about that. It's about equity across the board and eliminating these hybrid choice programs with geographic preferences. You're not looking at the big picture, you're just looking out for yourself.

My kids are no longer in school at Key (I'm the poster you're responding to), but that's my connection. I've followed the issue because I'm concerned about edging out the spanish speaking population from Key, so in that sense I guess I'm looking out for myself, but it's one of the reasons for the program's existence so I don't apologize for that. As for ASFS, I obviously just view it differently than you. If there are inequities in access to a science focus school I personally think it makes more sense to introduce a similar program at a second facility rather than fewing up a few seats and disrupting the status quo. I guess you disagree. I'm sorry you feel the need to dismiss me as looking out only for myself. I'll let you all carry on with this conversation amongst yourselves.

Part of the policy changes include a new dual lottery system to preserve the integrity of the 50-50 split for Spanish/English students in immersion. Spanish-dominant students won't be edged out of immersion through this change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9:18 - I don't know anyone who has bought into Jamestown or Taylor hoping to get into ASFS. Jamestown and Taylor are very good in their own right, and I don't think much of the high property values are related to the potential to get into ASFS. (I do think it drives the property values around Key, but that is also driven by metro proximity and how close-in it is to DC.)

Clearly there is a big demand for a choice school with a science focus - perhaps they should build one (Reed?) and let ASFS revert back to a purely neighborhood school, albeit one with a nicer lab than most.

There are a huge number of Jamestown kids at ASF--always has been. I have to drive my kids to play dates because so many of their friends live in CCH.

This has started to change with the opening of Discovery and many now choosing the brand new school.

No and No. There are currently 23 students at ASFS whose neighborhood school is Jamestown. Hardly a huge number. And some planning units that were zoned for Jamestown were rezoned for Discovery when it opened. That means 1) those former Jamestown families lost the option of entering the lottery for ASFS and 2) did not chose to attend Discovery.

[Anonymous]

So, predictions? Will the SB cave to this ASF pressure tonight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the current arrangement with ASFS and KEY is such a problem that it needs to be changed. At the very least Key should continue to be a neighborhood school with automatic access to the kids in the apartments across the street, many of whom are spanish speakers (makes for a good fit with a spanish immersion school). I think the impetus for changing Key is a spillover from the increased demand for immersion by the neighborhoods assigned to Claremont. Rather than messing with ASFS and Key attendance zones to create the illusion of increased equity in access to choice schools - which doesn't really seem to help anyone very much - maybe they should open a third immersion school and an additional science-focus school?

And where are we going to get the land/space for a third immersion school right now? And no, it's not just about that. It's about equity across the board and eliminating these hybrid choice programs with geographic preferences. You're not looking at the big picture, you're just looking out for yourself.

My kids are no longer in school at Key (I'm the poster you're responding to), but that's my connection. I've followed the issue because I'm concerned about edging out the spanish speaking population from Key, so in that sense I guess I'm looking out for myself, but it's one of the reasons for the program's existence so I don't apologize for that. As for ASFS, I obviously just view it differently than you. If there are inequities in access to a science focus school I personally think it makes more sense to introduce a similar program at a second facility rather than fewing up a few seats and disrupting the status quo. I guess you disagree. I'm sorry you feel the need to dismiss me as looking out only for myself. I'll let you all carry on with this conversation amongst yourselves.

Part of the policy changes include a new dual lottery system to preserve the integrity of the 50-50 split for Spanish/English students in immersion. Spanish-dominant students won't be edged out of immersion through this change.

One of the great aspects of Key being a neighborhood school for spanish speaking students was the ability to late-register and still have guaranteed admission. Many of our spanish speaking students have a higher mobility rate and frequently register at the last minute, moving to the community because of metro access, affordable housing units, and word of mouth that there is a spanish immersion school in close proximity. Those students will be out of luck under the proposed system that is being billed as more equitable in an effort to give higher-income families from other parts of the county more equitable access to immersion. So while it may be well-intended, there is a very direct negative impact that disproportionately impacts lower income spanish speaking families who are less likely to own a house and more likely to be renters without a full understanding of the need to establish residence before the lottery closes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, predictions? Will the SB cave to this ASF pressure tonight?

No, I don't think they will. Too many other moving parts to the new policy and cannot carve out a special exception for one of them. Then there's the fact that the 2 SB members who were ASFS parents are former SB members.

[Anonymous]

Does tonight's vote also get into high school issues or are we just dealing with choice and transfers?