Discovery elementary school

[Anonymous]

Why is this thread in FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:North Arlington seems to have lots and lots of special needs kids, with some schools pleasing the high maintenance parents and others like Discovery not. In the real world, outside the 2%, observations such as "going to private" are not a real metric because North Arlington/McLean/Falls Church affluence both attracts idiot savant families and fails to meet all of their unrealistic expectations. SN families in South Arlington or Alexandria would be delighted with the level provided even in a school like Discovery. Yes, I know as I've been involved in APS since 2006, lived in both North and South and have many outside contacts such as coaching where I've seen kids from all over the county. Let's keep some perspective here folks.

Oh, geez. What an entitled a-hole you are. Let’s keep some perspective folks! You could be in a school in South Arlington or Alexandria!

BYW, this SA parent has been extremely happy with my kid’s special ed teachers, counselors, and case carriers.

It's no secret that North Arlington schools are FAR WORSE for special education than S. Arlington. Quite sure SA families would be far from delighted with SPED in NA schools. Sounds like you don't have as much information as you think you do.

This is accurate. The first poster was not.

[Anonymous]

We've been very happy with Discovery - along with the IEP/SPED team. We've felt well supported and teachers have been outstanding. We do not interact much with the principal or assist principal - but the school is beautiful and we are thankful to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:North Arlington seems to have lots and lots of special needs kids, with some schools pleasing the high maintenance parents and others like Discovery not. In the real world, outside the 2%, observations such as "going to private" are not a real metric because North Arlington/McLean/Falls Church affluence both attracts idiot savant families and fails to meet all of their unrealistic expectations. SN families in South Arlington or Alexandria would be delighted with the level provided even in a school like Discovery. Yes, I know as I've been involved in APS since 2006, lived in both North and South and have many outside contacts such as coaching where I've seen kids from all over the county. Let's keep some perspective here folks.

What do you think is a good school for kids with special needs in Arlington?

DP, but Ashlawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this thread in FCPS?

The original post may have predated the FCPS/VA public schools split, but it looks like it’s in the correct forum now.

[Anonymous]

We love our OT at Discovery. Speech is not as strong but overall, the SPED support has been great!

Agree with the comments about little to no interaction with principal or assistant principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love our OT at Discovery. Speech is not as strong but overall, the SPED support has been great!

Agree with the comments about little to no interaction with principal or assistant principal.

Our child has a medical condition and 504 plan; and we have had great interaction and responses from assistant principal. This is a school with highly demanding parents, PTA meetings are interesting to say the least. However, we have found the teachers, counselors and administration to be extremely helpful and supportive in our situation.

[Anonymous]

We love Discovery.

Distance learning is an absolute dumpster fire. APS was likely in the bottom 10% for in-person days in the 2020-2021 school year, with ES kids only getting 25 days in-person.

It's a sore, sore subject.

[Anonymous]

The principal is the key spokesperson in APS trying to convince the rest of the school district to get rid of grades at the middle and high school level. If you go to Discovery, be ready to stay average. They have a nonsense standards based grading that tells you nothing about how your child is doing. They have no competition, no homework, no gifted program, no battle of the books. I would go to Jamestown or Nottingham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal is the key spokesperson in APS trying to convince the rest of the school district to get rid of grades at the middle and high school level. If you go to Discovery, be ready to stay average. They have a nonsense standards based grading that tells you nothing about how your child is doing. They have no competition, no homework, no gifted program, no battle of the books. I would go to Jamestown or Nottingham.

How do you explain they have some of the highest test scores in the county? Even last year during Covid their SOL scores were quite high.

[Anonymous]

They had a 25 percent failing rate in their students in SOL scores last year and historically SOL scores are much lower at Discovery compared to Jamestown and Nottingham

[Anonymous]

Great building, fickle academics, cliquey families. Striver mentality and generally a sad unwelcoming place.

[Anonymous]

The principal is a cold unwelcoming fish. If you notice, no one giving her a shout out on Principal Appreciation Day while the Nottingham, Tuckahoe principals are so appreciative. She is all about pushing the useless standards based instruction and trying to avoid parents as much as possible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal is the key spokesperson in APS trying to convince the rest of the school district to get rid of grades at the middle and high school level. If you go to Discovery, be ready to stay average. They have a nonsense standards based grading that tells you nothing about how your child is doing. They have no competition, no homework, no gifted program, no battle of the books. I would go to Jamestown or Nottingham.

They do have a gifted program, and had Battle of the Books pre covid. Not sure where you’re getting your information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great building, fickle academics, cliquey families. Striver mentality and generally a sad unwelcoming place.

Totally disagree with the bolded. Sorry your experience wasn’t good; my 6th grader thrived at Discovery.