South Arlington schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get confused when people talk about "minorities" and Wakefield? Do they mean the whites who are minorities there or minorities in the US?

Also why are there not many Asians in APS and where are they from? Someone told me not many are Chinese, Korean or Indian like other parts of region.

You need to quote what is confusing you. People could be using "minorities" either way. I don't understand what you are asking about Asian families. Immigrants settle in an area and draw other immigrants. Asians settled somewhere else. It's not a mystery or a conspiracy.

[Anonymous]

Many Asians of Chinese, Korean, or Indian descent initially opted for Fairfax County vice Arlington in order to buy more house and send their kids to TJ. It was viewed as better value for the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get confused when people talk about "minorities" and Wakefield? Do they mean the whites who are minorities there or minorities in the US?

Also why are there not many Asians in APS and where are they from? Someone told me not many are Chinese, Korean or Indian like other parts of region.

You need to quote what is confusing you. People could be using "minorities" either way. I don't understand what you are asking about Asian families. Immigrants settle in an area and draw other immigrants. Asians settled somewhere else. It's not a mystery or a conspiracy.

THey do? Minority generally means non-white, as in a national minority, not a local statistical minority. I suppose the only difference is that some might be actually suggesting Black and Hispanic students, and not including Asian students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many Asians of Chinese, Korean, or Indian descent initially opted for Fairfax County vice Arlington in order to buy more house and send their kids to TJ. It was viewed as better value for the money.

And since that is where that moved, that is where they continue to move. Mystery solved!


Now can we go back to poster who said they can find us all the homes of our dreams in north Arlington for 250k less than market value. Where did they go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get confused when people talk about "minorities" and Wakefield? Do they mean the whites who are minorities there or minorities in the US?

Also why are there not many Asians in APS and where are they from? Someone told me not many are Chinese, Korean or Indian like other parts of region.

You need to quote what is confusing you. People could be using "minorities" either way. I don't understand what you are asking about Asian families. Immigrants settle in an area and draw other immigrants. Asians settled somewhere else. It's not a mystery or a conspiracy.

THey do? Minority generally means non-white, as in a national minority, not a local statistical minority. I suppose the only difference is that some might be actually suggesting Black and Hispanic students, and not including Asian students.

You need coffee. Like right now. Go drink some Java, and then come back. We'll wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the poster that is having trouble forming a coherent thought.
What an interesting link! I live in one of the largest neighborhoods in Arlington. The median age of my neighborhood is 33.
So. Many. Houses. Have sold over the last couple of years. I'm trying to think who has been selling and who has been buying. Why, I believe it is older homeowners selling, and young families buying. Hmmm. I've lived here for 10 years, certainly I've seen this trend of young families moving once kids hit school age...
Huh. Nope. They aren't selling and moving. They are staying, even though this hood is zoned to one of the "worst" elementary schools. I guess people either tough it out, or go private for a couple of years. Doesn't seem worth the move out of a neighborhood (full of young families) that you love.

Well the demographics and FARM rates of the elementary school don't match your narrative

#StatsSoHard

NP here- We are another family with 2 professional parents that live in South Arlington. We chose to send our kids to Catholic school through 8th grade but our oldest is now at Wakefield and we do not have a single complaint. Our neighborhood is also full of families with school age kids. Many of them have done the lottery or the Spanish Immersion programs for elementary school but have every intention of sending their children to Wakefield. I also know of more than 8 other families that are doing what we have done.

In 2015, Wakefield High ranked worse than 58.1% of high schools in Virginia. It also ranked 3rd among 4 ranked high schools in the Arlington County Public Schools District.

So you are saying that of 4 ranked high schools, Wakefield came in 3rd? That seems pretty good. I would have assumed it would have been fourth. We plan to lottery or go private through 5th grade. Then we will be doing TJ and Wakefield. I'm really not concerned about how all of the students in Va are performing. I'm only concerned how my kid is performing. Extremely confident and comfortable with Wakefield.
-- millenial family

You must have had your kids early if you are a millenial with a high schooler.

-- millenial who's relative went north a few years a go due to south experiences in elementary school

Well good for you. I am a north Arlington parent who's deliberately picked wakefield because we liked it better. I do not have any fears my kids will not reach their potential. I don't look at school rankings, I visit the school, linger, ask questions, inform myself and then make a decision. I too believe, Wakefield will like become more like W&L, though in less time than others have mentioned - 5 years.

So you can transfer to Wakefield from Yorktown. How can you transfer from Wakefield to Yorktown? Or is that a one way thing.

Also note that W&L isn't the gold standard, Yorktown is which has slipped in the ratings.

DP- Gold standard? That's according to you. It was never a consideration for our family. We really liked some of the neighborhoods over there, but that school was a non starter for our kids. We would be very happy with W-L, but it seems everyone wants that school. They are so crowded. Very pleased with the prospect of Wakefiled. I've had the pleasure of working with students there for a number of years. I hope it remains similarly spirited for the next 10 years, so my future "warrior" can enjoy it. We're fine if it trends like W-L. I'm sure there are very nice kids at Yorktown, but that wasn't the atmosphere we were seeking out.
-- not a minority parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the poster that is having trouble forming a coherent thought.
What an interesting link! I live in one of the largest neighborhoods in Arlington. The median age of my neighborhood is 33.
So. Many. Houses. Have sold over the last couple of years. I'm trying to think who has been selling and who has been buying. Why, I believe it is older homeowners selling, and young families buying. Hmmm. I've lived here for 10 years, certainly I've seen this trend of young families moving once kids hit school age...
Huh. Nope. They aren't selling and moving. They are staying, even though this hood is zoned to one of the "worst" elementary schools. I guess people either tough it out, or go private for a couple of years. Doesn't seem worth the move out of a neighborhood (full of young families) that you love.

Well the demographics and FARM rates of the elementary school don't match your narrative

#StatsSoHard

NP here- We are another family with 2 professional parents that live in South Arlington. We chose to send our kids to Catholic school through 8th grade but our oldest is now at Wakefield and we do not have a single complaint. Our neighborhood is also full of families with school age kids. Many of them have done the lottery or the Spanish Immersion programs for elementary school but have every intention of sending their children to Wakefield. I also know of more than 8 other families that are doing what we have done.

In 2015, Wakefield High ranked worse than 58.1% of high schools in Virginia. It also ranked 3rd among 4 ranked high schools in the Arlington County Public Schools District.

So you are saying that of 4 ranked high schools, Wakefield came in 3rd? That seems pretty good. I would have assumed it would have been fourth. We plan to lottery or go private through 5th grade. Then we will be doing TJ and Wakefield. I'm really not concerned about how all of the students in Va are performing. I'm only concerned how my kid is performing. Extremely confident and comfortable with Wakefield.
-- millenial family

You must have had your kids early if you are a millenial with a high schooler.

-- millenial who's relative went north a few years a go due to south experiences in elementary school

Well good for you. I am a north Arlington parent who's deliberately picked wakefield because we liked it better. I do not have any fears my kids will not reach their potential. I don't look at school rankings, I visit the school, linger, ask questions, inform myself and then make a decision. I too believe, Wakefield will like become more like W&L, though in less time than others have mentioned - 5 years.

So you can transfer to Wakefield from Yorktown. How can you transfer from Wakefield to Yorktown? Or is that a one way thing.

Also note that W&L isn't the gold standard, Yorktown is which has slipped in the ratings.

DP- Gold standard? That's according to you. It was never a consideration for our family. We really liked some of the neighborhoods over there, but that school was a non starter for our kids. We would be very happy with W-L, but it seems everyone wants that school. They are so crowded. Very pleased with the prospect of Wakefiled. I've had the pleasure of working with students there for a number of years. I hope it remains similarly spirited for the next 10 years, so my future "warrior" can enjoy it. We're fine if it trends like W-L. I'm sure there are very nice kids at Yorktown, but that wasn't the atmosphere we were seeking out.
-- not a minority parent

Agreed. We're going the warrior route for my DC as well. Would have prefered W&L but is not an option for the same reasons you mentioned. YT is a nonstarter because of the atmospher there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Agreed. We're going the warrior route for my DC as well. Would have prefered W&L but is not an option for the same reasons you mentioned. YT is a nonstarter because of the atmospher there.

white or not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Agreed. We're going the warrior route for my DC as well. Would have prefered W&L but is not an option for the same reasons you mentioned. YT is a nonstarter because of the atmospher there.

What is the atmosphere there? How can someone (like me) whose kids are younger learn what the atmosphere is like at various high schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Agreed. We're going the warrior route for my DC as well. Would have prefered W&L but is not an option for the same reasons you mentioned. YT is a nonstarter because of the atmospher there.

What is the atmosphere there? How can someone (like me) whose kids are younger learn what the atmosphere is like at various high schools?

You can visit the school. Go to a school play, band concert, football game...
The Yorktown kids I've met were very nice, but it's just not for us. I had a co worker who pulled there daughter out. I'm certain you will those sorts of stories for all high schools. You know your kid and will know what is the right fit for them.

[Anonymous]

New poster here - we are also slated for W-L but kind of on the edge border wise so have been thinking about the prospect of kids going to Wakefield for some time now and I'm totally fine with it. They are currently in a Title I school and we are used to the diverse environment. Kids have always been challenged and have been happy, learning, and growing. I'd rather have them at Wakefield especially if it's a smaller student body. Both are about the same distance from my house. We are not minorities,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the poster that is having trouble forming a coherent thought.
What an interesting link! I live in one of the largest neighborhoods in Arlington. The median age of my neighborhood is 33.
So. Many. Houses. Have sold over the last couple of years. I'm trying to think who has been selling and who has been buying. Why, I believe it is older homeowners selling, and young families buying. Hmmm. I've lived here for 10 years, certainly I've seen this trend of young families moving once kids hit school age...
Huh. Nope. They aren't selling and moving. They are staying, even though this hood is zoned to one of the "worst" elementary schools. I guess people either tough it out, or go private for a couple of years. Doesn't seem worth the move out of a neighborhood (full of young families) that you love.

Well the demographics and FARM rates of the elementary school don't match your narrative

#StatsSoHard

NP here- We are another family with 2 professional parents that live in South Arlington. We chose to send our kids to Catholic school through 8th grade but our oldest is now at Wakefield and we do not have a single complaint. Our neighborhood is also full of families with school age kids. Many of them have done the lottery or the Spanish Immersion programs for elementary school but have every intention of sending their children to Wakefield. I also know of more than 8 other families that are doing what we have done.

In 2015, Wakefield High ranked worse than 58.1% of high schools in Virginia. It also ranked 3rd among 4 ranked high schools in the Arlington County Public Schools District.

So you are saying that of 4 ranked high schools, Wakefield came in 3rd? That seems pretty good. I would have assumed it would have been fourth. We plan to lottery or go private through 5th grade. Then we will be doing TJ and Wakefield. I'm really not concerned about how all of the students in Va are performing. I'm only concerned how my kid is performing. Extremely confident and comfortable with Wakefield.
-- millenial family

You must have had your kids early if you are a millenial with a high schooler.

-- millenial who's relative went north a few years a go due to south experiences in elementary school

Well good for you. I am a north Arlington parent who's deliberately picked wakefield because we liked it better. I do not have any fears my kids will not reach their potential. I don't look at school rankings, I visit the school, linger, ask questions, inform myself and then make a decision. I too believe, Wakefield will like become more like W&L, though in less time than others have mentioned - 5 years.

So you can transfer to Wakefield from Yorktown. How can you transfer from Wakefield to Yorktown? Or is that a one way thing.

Also note that W&L isn't the gold standard, Yorktown is which has slipped in the ratings.

DP- Gold standard? That's according to you. It was never a consideration for our family. We really liked some of the neighborhoods over there, but that school was a non starter for our kids. We would be very happy with W-L, but it seems everyone wants that school. They are so crowded. Very pleased with the prospect of Wakefiled. I've had the pleasure of working with students there for a number of years. I hope it remains similarly spirited for the next 10 years, so my future "warrior" can enjoy it. We're fine if it trends like W-L. I'm sure there are very nice kids at Yorktown, but that wasn't the atmosphere we were seeking out.
-- not a minority parent

Agreed. We're going the warrior route for my DC as well. Would have prefered W&L but is not an option for the same reasons you mentioned. YT is a nonstarter because of the atmospher there.

W-L is not crowded yet. It will be in the future if an addition is not built. But with major high school boundary changes to take effect in the fall of 2017 and with the interior renovations to be completed this summer at W-L, I would not worry about overcrowding in the near term. But, W-L is only accepting pre-IB and IB transfers at the moment, and transfers must commit to sticking with the IB diploma program junior and senior years and not transitioning to a non-IB AP course load.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster here - we are also slated for W-L but kind of on the edge border wise so have been thinking about the prospect of kids going to Wakefield for some time now and I'm totally fine with it. They are currently in a Title I school and we are used to the diverse environment. Kids have always been challenged and have been happy, learning, and growing. I'd rather have them at Wakefield especially if it's a smaller student body. Both are about the same distance from my house. We are not minorities,

Wakefield is rapidly growing and the upcoming boundary changes will even out the numbers. Where do your kids want to go to high school? Having options is good.

Also, schools with smaller student bodies can have certain downsides. Wakefield is the only area high school w/o an ice hockey team for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New poster here - we are also slated for W-L but kind of on the edge border wise so have been thinking about the prospect of kids going to Wakefield for some time now and I'm totally fine with it. They are currently in a Title I school and we are used to the diverse environment. Kids have always been challenged and have been happy, learning, and growing. I'd rather have them at Wakefield especially if it's a smaller student body. Both are about the same distance from my house. We are not minorities,

Wakefield is rapidly growing and the upcoming boundary changes will even out the numbers. Where do your kids want to go to high school? Having options is good.

Also, schools with smaller student bodies can have certain downsides. Wakefield is the only area high school w/o an ice hockey team for example.

Are you for real? Not sure many people would see the lack of an ice hockey team at Wakefield as a "downside." Makes me like it even more.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in ffx and we certainly did NOT have an ice hockey team. There were plenty of sports, no one felt cheated.


I'm certain that if enough students showed an interest in participating in ice hockey at Wakefield, they could start it up.