ATS, Campbell and other APS lotteries

[Anonymous]

Can I ask why you are leaning toward Campbell? We're also deciding between Campbell and Claremont, but our child doesn't speak much Spanish yet and is not excited about learning it. We think he could probably adjust, but if not and we switched back to the neighborhood school that would be another adjustment. I'm also pretty worried about the size of the school. Campbell would be a much easier sell, but it would hard to give up the possibility of his being bilingual. We feel really lucky, and surprised. to have this choice, and would be interested in hearing about experiences at either school.

[Anonymous]

The reason I'm leaning towards Campbell is that I hope we can keep our DC bilingual in other ways, my husband speaks Spanish, and we can do some summer immersion trips, or ongoing classes. The constant shifting from one teacher to another at Claremont gives me some pause. And school seems so big, easy to get lost in there. I've only heard good things about it, though, and I did like the open house. Tough choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask why you are leaning toward Campbell? We're also deciding between Campbell and Claremont, but our child doesn't speak much Spanish yet and is not excited about learning it. We think he could probably adjust, but if not and we switched back to the neighborhood school that would be another adjustment. I'm also pretty worried about the size of the school. Campbell would be a much easier sell, but it would hard to give up the possibility of his being bilingual. We feel really lucky, and surprised. to have this choice, and would be interested in hearing about experiences at either school.

We are choosing Claremont over Campbell. I went to a big elementary school, so the size doesn't really bother me. The classes are capped at 24 students and the sections of the school are pretty segregated by age/grade so I don't think they will feel like it is too big. They kind of just stick to their area. But I just keep hearing amazing things about Claremont. Everyone I know that has been there raves about it. The Principal and VP seem very committed to the school (and the rest of the staff seems amazing as far as I can tell). The families of Claremont also seem really tight knit and they have a very active PTA. Like I feel like Claremont has already invited us to 3-4 activities upon acceptance (haven't been invited to any Campbell activities yet).

I am not sure if you have been to any of the information sessions but a lot of folks ask if kids wind up not being a good fit at Claremont and the principal indicated that this doesn't really seem to be a problem. She said they work with kids and recognize immediately if they are struggling. I don't have a problem with them having two teachers and switching because to me that is just another set of eyes that is looking out for my kid. Plus, they aren't going to know any different you know? School will just always be this way for them.

That being said, the choice is hard. Campbell seems like a really amazing school too.

[Anonymous]

OK, I am the person whose kid switched to campbell late . I may be outing myself from those who know me.

(1) we were at claremont beyond K. My kid had some learning difficulties and she had a VERY HARD time with Spanish. School told me she had to fail before she could get an IEP. That was terrible (and illegal) and I could see that despite the great teachers, that was not going to work as kid was falling more and more behind. I called the school administration office and asked to be transferred to Campbell and not my neighborhood school and they did it. Thank you APS for your willingness to help.
(2) my kid had great teachers. Not all of them are as great. A number of kids left after K because the kids hated the spanish and there were many parents very unhappy with some of the K teachers. I don't know if that has been fixed.
(3) Claremont has a very active PTA, yes. And some people think it is getting a bit ridiculous. The whole transfer policy has a lot of people worked up in negative ways.
(4) Campbell PTA is excellent too. Less participation from broader range of parents because it is a poorer school, but excellent nonetheless.
(5) campbell is expeditionary learning. Be sure to read what that is before you go there. It is a very different school from Claremont, and we love it. No one has any attitudes and everyone is chill. Great learning environment and your kid doesn't get lost.

Got to go. If anyone has more questions about the two schools, ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I am the person whose kid switched to campbell late . I may be outing myself from those who know me.

(1) we were at claremont beyond K. My kid had some learning difficulties and she had a VERY HARD time with Spanish. School told me she had to fail before she could get an IEP. That was terrible (and illegal) and I could see that despite the great teachers, that was not going to work as kid was falling more and more behind. I called the school administration office and asked to be transferred to Campbell and not my neighborhood school and they did it. Thank you APS for your willingness to help.
(2) my kid had great teachers. Not all of them are as great. A number of kids left after K because the kids hated the spanish and there were many parents very unhappy with some of the K teachers. I don't know if that has been fixed.
(3) Claremont has a very active PTA, yes. And some people think it is getting a bit ridiculous. The whole transfer policy has a lot of people worked up in negative ways.
(4) Campbell PTA is excellent too. Less participation from broader range of parents because it is a poorer school, but excellent nonetheless.
(5) campbell is expeditionary learning. Be sure to read what that is before you go there. It is a very different school from Claremont, and we love it. No one has any attitudes and everyone is chill. Great learning environment and your kid doesn't get lost.

Got to go. If anyone has more questions about the two schools, ask.

This is the poster that is leaning towards Claremont. Why were folks unhappy with the K teachers are Claremont?

Can you describe a little more about your experience at Campbell?

[Anonymous]

The unhappy folks did not feel that enough spanish was being spoken, too much english to get things across to students. Many parents of one particular teacher felt the person was not sticking to the curriculum. I cannot speak from experience on those issues because my kid's teachers were terrific. I have no idea what the school did about it.

We have been in Campbell less than one year. Great teacher, good attitude from pretty much everyone. Read the expeditionary learning model. Are you ok with having your kid in a title I school? My child has not made friends as easily because parents from the lower income families are not keen at play dates. Check our the parity between the afterschool enrichment programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The unhappy folks did not feel that enough spanish was being spoken, too much english to get things across to students. Many parents of one particular teacher felt the person was not sticking to the curriculum. I cannot speak from experience on those issues because my kid's teachers were terrific. I have no idea what the school did about it.

We have been in Campbell less than one year. Great teacher, good attitude from pretty much everyone. Read the expeditionary learning model. Are you ok with having your kid in a title I school? My child has not made friends as easily because parents from the lower income families are not keen at play dates. Check our the parity between the afterschool enrichment programs.

Thank you. Interesting about Spanish not being spoken enough.

I personally have no issue with Title I school, I have heard that comment about play dates before. my kids are Hispanic so I am not sure if that would make families more comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Hard to say, my kid is lilly white. And Campbell has people from many cultures and languages, not just Spanish-speaking. Other than the IEP issue with my kid, I have nothing against Claremont. Great place. Campbell has been a better academic fit for my kid and she does not have an IEP. The parents love it there, but again, everyone there wants to be there.

Don't take the lack of invites to play dates as a signal from the school, but do take the time to read the instructional focus of the school. You are lucky to have been accepted to Campbell, I know many parents who would love to be in your shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hard to say, my kid is lilly white. And Campbell has people from many cultures and languages, not just Spanish-speaking. Other than the IEP issue with my kid, I have nothing against Claremont. Great place. Campbell has been a better academic fit for my kid and she does not have an IEP. The parents love it there, but again, everyone there wants to be there.

Don't take the lack of invites to play dates as a signal from the school, but do take the time to read the instructional focus of the school. You are lucky to have been accepted to Campbell, I know many parents who would love to be in your shoes.

Thanks, I really wasn't expecting to be admitted into Campbell so it has really thrown us for a loop. I think DS1 would do great in both schools, which is sort of why I am learning towards Claremont. Just so I can give other parents that are really seeking out Campbell a better shot.

[Anonymous]

We got our letter from ATS - in the 60s on the waitlist.

We didn't get a spot through any of the lotteries. Very disappointing.

[Anonymous]

you sound like a thoughtful parent! Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

And this is why I love Campbell. My kid is not in 4th grade, but she has done expeditions and she loves them. They give her a strong understanding of the materials through various disciplines.

https://www.apsva.us/aps-green-scene/

[Anonymous]

Continuing on why Campbell vs other schools, including ATS (assuming we get a spot there). It seems that Campbell emphasizes collaboration over competition, and helps develop students' soft skills. More focus on nature and exploration, asking questions, and no "one-size-fits-all". But this is just my impression from the open house, talking to parents and reading whatever I could find online. It seems like a very welcoming community, and a place where a child doesn't get lost in the crowd. If others have more input on Campbell, please share. Overall, we're quite excited about joining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got our letter from ATS - in the 60s on the waitlist.

We didn't get a spot through any of the lotteries. Very disappointing.

I know this sounds like a pretty high number, but there can be movement by the tens at a time.
I remember there being a thread about someone who had a WL number in the teens who got a call in the summer before K.
Arlington is transient, and people move A LOT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got our letter from ATS - in the 60s on the waitlist.

We didn't get a spot through any of the lotteries. Very disappointing.

I know this sounds like a pretty high number, but there can be movement by the tens at a time.
I remember there being a thread about someone who had a WL number in the teens who got a call in the summer before K.
Arlington is transient, and people move A LOT.

Not that much.