If my child is zoned for Gunston and I’m not excited about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider whether you could afford FCPS instead. They are better schools. If I could do it all over again I’d buy a cheaper house in McLean. Not a fancy new build. Just a standard 3 bedroom. Like the one I bought in N Arl to get out of Kenmore. But for less $ and better schools.

This is OP. What do people mean when they say Fairfax schools are “better”? Does that mean more rigorous? My child is twice exceptional, which means gifted and in special Ed. She also has extreme anxiety. Moving her away from friends might be a non-starter because of anxiety but I also think moving her to a higher-pressure academic environment would be detrimental. It’s hard for me to tell if that’s what people mean when they say Fairfax schools are “better.”

People usually say whatever district they live in is “better”

[Anonymous]

Hamm and Williamsburg will both be well under capacity and accept neighborhood transfers this year, I expect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply for a transfer to Dorothy Hamm. It is under capacity.

This. So is Williamsburg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’ll open the lottery for neighborhood transfers on February 20th. I also live in the gunston zone and know many people who are very happy there. If it’s an option this year I will apply to TJ for IB

To add, I would be fine with Gunston, I really liked the vibe at the information night.

This is OP. Can you say more about the vibe? My daughter has special needs, and I’m concerned about the overcrowding for her in particular. I have also heard a few things from neighbors that I think my daughter is unprepared to handle, but I realize that might just be middle school and not Gunston specifically.

Re Kenmore, I have actually heard great things about Kenmore, particularly for artsy, quirky kids like my daughter.

All the middle schools are very large and crowded - the range is between 890 something and 1110 something between them.

+1 on Kenmore. Subjective, of course, but hearing a lot of positives consistently, especially for art-loving kids.

[Anonymous]

This is so funny. Like a school in south Arlington is the worst thing that could ever happen to your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so funny. Like a school in south Arlington is the worst thing that could ever happen to your kid.

Her kid’s already been going to South Arlington schools. Gunston is overcrowded and that is an issue

[Anonymous]

Gunston is also essentially running three schools in one building - Montessori, bilingual program and regular program. That plus overcrowding is a lot.

I think they should move the Montessori program because it would help a bit with overcrowding and also just make things simpler for school administration.

[Anonymous]

They are not all large and crowded. WMS is not crowded at all. Under capacity. No trailers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’ll open the lottery for neighborhood transfers on February 20th. I also live in the gunston zone and know many people who are very happy there. If it’s an option this year I will apply to TJ for IB

To add, I would be fine with Gunston, I really liked the vibe at the information night.

This is OP. Can you say more about the vibe? My daughter has special needs, and I’m concerned about the overcrowding for her in particular. I have also heard a few things from neighbors that I think my daughter is unprepared to handle, but I realize that might just be middle school and not Gunston specifically.

Re Kenmore, I have actually heard great things about Kenmore, particularly for artsy, quirky kids like my daughter.

All the middle schools are very large and crowded - the range is between 890 something and 1110 something between them.

+1 on Kenmore. Subjective, of course, but hearing a lot of positives consistently, especially for art-loving kids.

This is not accurate for WMS, which is only about 80% capacity. Tons of extra slots.

[Anonymous]

They should just get rid of Montessori

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should just get rid of Montessori

Agreed, move it or get rid of the middle school option for Montessori

[Anonymous]

If Williamsburg and DH are so empty, why aren't they sending some of the extra kids from Gunston to those schools? Oh, wait....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Williamsburg and DH are so empty, why aren't they sending some of the extra kids from Gunston to those schools? Oh, wait....

Extra kids? Which ones? Every parent has the ability to request a transfer. Why don’t you ask the parents why they aren’t requesting this.

[Anonymous]

Patents have suggested this in the past. You would not believe how quickly it devolved into claims of racism. “Busing” kids from south to north. Never going to happen. Boundaries can be changed but WMS is underenrolled because people fought leaving Swanson in the last go round.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Williamsburg and DH are so empty, why aren't they sending some of the extra kids from Gunston to those schools? Oh, wait....

Extra kids? Which ones? Every parent has the ability to request a transfer. Why don’t you ask the parents why they aren’t requesting this.

Isn't it because those schools are far from Gunston, plus the kids wouldn't be able to stay with with their new middle school friends for high school.