Kenmore or Swanson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me give it to you straight. Swanson is a way better school. That being said all the middle schools in Arlington suck. They are not rigorous at all and barely prepare you for high school.

Agree that Swanson is a much better school. My son went to Swanson and is doing very well at W-L now. Two friends who are at W-L with him went to Kenmore, and they were completely unprepared for the rigor of high school. Yes, Kenmore is a nicer building, but I really don’t care about that.

Yeah sure. It couldn’t possibly be anything to do with the individual students. The curriculum and amount of rigor, or lack there of, is not different at the MS level. It’s just not. Parents can blame the schools, but that doesn’t make it so.

There are dramatic differences between the various middle schools in APS. The curriculum is the same purportedly, but the amount of rigor is not.

You make no sense. If the curriculum is the same, the “rigor” cannot be different. A student in Algebra at Kenmore is learning the same material and has the same expectations as a student at any other MS. I think your son’s friend is the issue, not where he attended MS.

Not sure what ax you have to grind but on what do you base your claim that rigor is the same at all the APS middle schools? I can tell you from experience that there are big differences between the schools- in the amount of homework assigned, number of quizzes and tests, expectations… you know, rigor.

You can claim they are all the same but in my experience it’s just not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me give it to you straight. Swanson is a way better school. That being said all the middle schools in Arlington suck. They are not rigorous at all and barely prepare you for high school.

Agree that Swanson is a much better school. My son went to Swanson and is doing very well at W-L now. Two friends who are at W-L with him went to Kenmore, and they were completely unprepared for the rigor of high school. Yes, Kenmore is a nicer building, but I really don’t care about that.

Yeah sure. It couldn’t possibly be anything to do with the individual students. The curriculum and amount of rigor, or lack there of, is not different at the MS level. It’s just not. Parents can blame the schools, but that doesn’t make it so.

There are dramatic differences between the various middle schools in APS. The curriculum is the same purportedly, but the amount of rigor is not.

You make no sense. If the curriculum is the same, the “rigor” cannot be different. A student in Algebra at Kenmore is learning the same material and has the same expectations as a student at any other MS. I think your son’s friend is the issue, not where he attended MS.

Not sure what ax you have to grind but on what do you base your claim that rigor is the same at all the APS middle schools? I can tell you from experience that there are big differences between the schools- in the amount of homework assigned, number of quizzes and tests, expectations… you know, rigor.

You can claim they are all the same but in my experience it’s just not true.

So you’re a teacher and have been in the classroom at various APS MS?

I have friends at all the MS and ALL complain about the lack of rigor, homework, etc. in MS.

Kenmore isn’t giving kids a less rigorous education, and parents with no direct experience insisting it must be so because of the ELL kids are just wrong. Kenmore differentiates for kids, so maybe the average kid at Kenmore isn’t going to have the same experience as a kid ID’ed gifted at another MS. But kids on the same level are getting the same work and have the same expectations. There are fewer kids on the highest math track at Kenmore, that is true, but the ones in it aren’t getting a pass because they go to a school with kids whose families come from another country. Come on now. My “ax” is your bigotry.

[Anonymous]

My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

Burn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

Name them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

Name them.

Why? So you can try to figure out who I am? No thanks.

I will say that I taught in a NA MS and a SA MS, and my kids were at a different NA MS than the one I taught at.

They were all very different from each other. Very different. A lot is driven by the Principal. Most people would have no idea, as is more than apparent from your remarks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

[Anonymous]

Based on my experience with elementary there is a big difference in terms of the expectations of students at our elementary that fed into Kenmore and then after moving, our elementary that fed into Swanson. Very very different.

[Anonymous]

[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

You said it’s not rigorous and isn’t preparing kids for HS. What could be positive about that? Folks in Syphax have their kids in Kenmore, so if this were true about Kenmore, you’re saying they either don’t want their kids to receive a rigorous education and be prepared for high school, or they think their own kids don’t need that from school? Or maybe they think their kids are so dumb that a rigorous education wouldn’t be a good fit? Please, tell your bosses this news, I am sure they’d like to hear you say it to their faces rather than make up garbage on the internet.

You have revealed your own biases in claiming the “differences,” which are mainly racial and economic, result in a less rigorous education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

You said it’s not rigorous and isn’t preparing kids for HS. What could be positive about that? Folks in Syphax have their kids in Kenmore, so if this were true about Kenmore, you’re saying they either don’t want their kids to receive a rigorous education and be prepared for high school, or they think their own kids don’t need that from school? Or maybe they think their kids are so dumb that a rigorous education wouldn’t be a good fit? Please, tell your bosses this news, I am sure they’d like to hear you say it to their faces rather than make up garbage on the internet.

You have revealed your own biases in claiming the “differences,” which are mainly racial and economic, result in a less rigorous education.

Oh my goodness, you seem very upset. First off, you're conflating posters and putting words in my mouth. I'm the one with the teaching experience telling you there are noticeable differences in rigor between the middle schools I have seen in APS. I never even mentioned Kenmore. I don't have an agenda other than to share my observations. I wonder why you are so upset to hear this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

You said it’s not rigorous and isn’t preparing kids for HS. What could be positive about that? Folks in Syphax have their kids in Kenmore, so if this were true about Kenmore, you’re saying they either don’t want their kids to receive a rigorous education and be prepared for high school, or they think their own kids don’t need that from school? Or maybe they think their kids are so dumb that a rigorous education wouldn’t be a good fit? Please, tell your bosses this news, I am sure they’d like to hear you say it to their faces rather than make up garbage on the internet.

You have revealed your own biases in claiming the “differences,” which are mainly racial and economic, result in a less rigorous education.

Oh my goodness, you seem very upset. First off, you're conflating posters and putting words in my mouth. I'm the one with the teaching experience telling you there are noticeable differences in rigor between the middle schools I have seen in APS. I never even mentioned Kenmore. I don't have an agenda other than to share my observations. I wonder why you are so upset to hear this.

Perhaps you shouldn’t chime in with irrelevant information then, if Kenmore isn’t even one of the schools you have experienced. You participated in a thread in which others claim Kenmore isn’t preparing kids for HS with the tidbit that there are differences in rigor between the schools. Did you not read the thread and realize what your post might insinuate? Or why that might be a touchy subject? Other threads have called out the physical differences between Kenmore students and more northern schools, claimed there are gang bangers terrorizing the school, and so on and so forth. And then you chime in “innocently” with your anecdote that there are differences. If what you’re saying is there are different schools cultures, I agree. But that doesn’t mean the whiter schools are better or more focused on education. Now do you get it? I really hope you’re not an actual teacher, because you need some additional diversity training if so.

[Anonymous]

My colleague and I both have DSs born in 2003. They went to the same elementary school, then my colleague moved and their DS went to Kenmore while my DS went to Swanson. Then they both went to W-L, where my kid did well and colleague's kid did very well.

My kid is now at W&M, colleague's kid is at UVA, both doing very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

You said it’s not rigorous and isn’t preparing kids for HS. What could be positive about that? Folks in Syphax have their kids in Kenmore, so if this were true about Kenmore, you’re saying they either don’t want their kids to receive a rigorous education and be prepared for high school, or they think their own kids don’t need that from school? Or maybe they think their kids are so dumb that a rigorous education wouldn’t be a good fit? Please, tell your bosses this news, I am sure they’d like to hear you say it to their faces rather than make up garbage on the internet.

You have revealed your own biases in claiming the “differences,” which are mainly racial and economic, result in a less rigorous education.

Oh my goodness, you seem very upset. First off, you're conflating posters and putting words in my mouth. I'm the one with the teaching experience telling you there are noticeable differences in rigor between the middle schools I have seen in APS. I never even mentioned Kenmore. I don't have an agenda other than to share my observations. I wonder why you are so upset to hear this.

Perhaps you shouldn’t chime in with irrelevant information then, if Kenmore isn’t even one of the schools you have experienced. You participated in a thread in which others claim Kenmore isn’t preparing kids for HS with the tidbit that there are differences in rigor between the schools. Did you not read the thread and realize what your post might insinuate? Or why that might be a touchy subject? Other threads have called out the physical differences between Kenmore students and more northern schools, claimed there are gang bangers terrorizing the school, and so on and so forth. And then you chime in “innocently” with your anecdote that there are differences. If what you’re saying is there are different schools cultures, I agree. But that doesn’t mean the whiter schools are better or more focused on education. Now do you get it? I really hope you’re not an actual teacher, because you need some additional diversity training if so.

and people wonder why teachers are quitting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My answer is based on teaching in two APS middle schools and having my kids at a third.

I am sure that the multiple parents who have their kids at Kenmore currently and are high up (much higher up than you) in the APS Staff Org chart would like further details about how their kids’ school is trash relative to others. Do tell.

I didn’t say Kenmore was trash. I didn’t say anything about Kenmore at all. I said there are big differences between the middle schools. I highly doubt that’s news to the folks in Syphax. If you are happy with Kenmore, that’s great. There are a lot of positives.

You said it’s not rigorous and isn’t preparing kids for HS. What could be positive about that? Folks in Syphax have their kids in Kenmore, so if this were true about Kenmore, you’re saying they either don’t want their kids to receive a rigorous education and be prepared for high school, or they think their own kids don’t need that from school? Or maybe they think their kids are so dumb that a rigorous education wouldn’t be a good fit? Please, tell your bosses this news, I am sure they’d like to hear you say it to their faces rather than make up garbage on the internet.

You have revealed your own biases in claiming the “differences,” which are mainly racial and economic, result in a less rigorous education.

Oh my goodness, you seem very upset. First off, you're conflating posters and putting words in my mouth. I'm the one with the teaching experience telling you there are noticeable differences in rigor between the middle schools I have seen in APS. I never even mentioned Kenmore. I don't have an agenda other than to share my observations. I wonder why you are so upset to hear this.

Perhaps you shouldn’t chime in with irrelevant information then, if Kenmore isn’t even one of the schools you have experienced. You participated in a thread in which others claim Kenmore isn’t preparing kids for HS with the tidbit that there are differences in rigor between the schools. Did you not read the thread and realize what your post might insinuate? Or why that might be a touchy subject? Other threads have called out the physical differences between Kenmore students and more northern schools, claimed there are gang bangers terrorizing the school, and so on and so forth. And then you chime in “innocently” with your anecdote that there are differences. If what you’re saying is there are different schools cultures, I agree. But that doesn’t mean the whiter schools are better or more focused on education. Now do you get it? I really hope you’re not an actual teacher, because you need some additional diversity training if so.

I guess I didn’t think information straight from an actual teacher with direct experience was irrelevant. There are differences in school cultures yes, but as I said there are also differences in rigor. I did not say I think this is a good thing. I think students’ experiences should not be so variable across schools.

You seem very offended by this but denying the issue is there and attacking those who have seen it personally won’t do a thing to fix it.