Western High School Boundary Map options (A/B/C/D)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any rising sophomores opting in?
Our base school is not great, but I don’t know any sophomores opting in to Western. They just don’t seem interested about attending a school with limited clases and activities and having to go to the base school for sports.
And the fewer that opt in, the fewer others want to follow.
I wish they had just settled the boundaries and made everyone go.

Yes, I know a bunch are from SLHS. I have neighbors whose kids will be moving and they told me that many of their kids friends opted in. Honestly, I know rising Juniors who are annoyed that they don't have the choice.

I would be surprised if they get 500 sophomores but they will have a decent number.

There were only 40-45 kids out of approx. 607 students from SLHS that asked to be at Western for ninth grade as reported at last SLHS PTSA meeting when SB rep. shared data. That’s only about 15% of ninth graders and some have changed their minds and spoken with counselors to deselect after the deadline. The percentage will most likely decrease again.

What is up with School Board members selectively sharing data.

FCPS should just be transparent about the applicants from each eligible school, broken down by school and grade. Would that really be so hard?

I think it was the principal that shared the data not the SB member. So it was specific to our high school. I think that’s fine in our hs pta to learn about that impact to our school. That was for rising tenth graders/current ninth graders.

People have asked for that information and been told it isn't available. They should release what they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any rising sophomores opting in?
Our base school is not great, but I don’t know any sophomores opting in to Western. They just don’t seem interested about attending a school with limited clases and activities and having to go to the base school for sports.
And the fewer that opt in, the fewer others want to follow.
I wish they had just settled the boundaries and made everyone go.

Yes, I know a bunch are from SLHS. I have neighbors whose kids will be moving and they told me that many of their kids friends opted in. Honestly, I know rising Juniors who are annoyed that they don't have the choice.

I would be surprised if they get 500 sophomores but they will have a decent number.

There were only 40-45 kids out of approx. 607 students from SLHS that asked to be at Western for ninth grade as reported at last SLHS PTSA meeting when SB rep. shared data. That’s only about 15% of ninth graders and some have changed their minds and spoken with counselors to deselect after the deadline. The percentage will most likely decrease again.

The FCPS school profile shows 607 freshmen at SLHS.

So, roughly 40–45 out of the 607 9th graders at South Lakes High School opted in to attend the new Western High School next year. In other words, they chose to transfer out of SLHS.

That's a good number, around 7% of the freshman class deciding to make the switch.

I would think many more 8th graders from Fox Mill / SLHS part of Floris opted in.

[Anonymous]

Fox Mill parent here with a kid opting in. There are a mix of folks who opted in. Some are excited. Some the kids want to move with their friends and they liked the school at the open houses. Some are worried about transportation and opted in incase FMES is redistricted to Western so that they have transportation all 4 years of HS.

There are parents of kids who wanted to attend who are not excited, the unknown scare them. There are families planning on going to whatever school is in boundary because transportation is an issue for their family. Western optin was safe because SLHS has not been close to ending pupil placement for IB and the kids were going to be taking IB classes any way.

The County would have had clearer numbers and families more comfortable with things had it set the boundaries with the rest of the redistricting. The County did not do that. So now the County has families who are planning based on how they can use the system to make sure that their kid has transportation for 4 years in HS, which is ridiculous. But an example of how poorly run all of this has been.

FCPS should have used the maps that they developed, picked on, and been done with this in the regular boundary review.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any rising sophomores opting in?
Our base school is not great, but I don’t know any sophomores opting in to Western. They just don’t seem interested about attending a school with limited clases and activities and having to go to the base school for sports.
And the fewer that opt in, the fewer others want to follow.
I wish they had just settled the boundaries and made everyone go.

Yes, I know a bunch are from SLHS. I have neighbors whose kids will be moving and they told me that many of their kids friends opted in. Honestly, I know rising Juniors who are annoyed that they don't have the choice.

I would be surprised if they get 500 sophomores but they will have a decent number.

There were only 40-45 kids out of approx. 607 students from SLHS that asked to be at Western for ninth grade as reported at last SLHS PTSA meeting when SB rep. shared data. That’s only about 15% of ninth graders and some have changed their minds and spoken with counselors to deselect after the deadline. The percentage will most likely decrease again.

The FCPS school profile shows 607 freshmen at SLHS.

So, roughly 40–45 out of the 607 9th graders at South Lakes High School opted in to attend the new Western High School next year. In other words, they chose to transfer out of SLHS.

That's a good number, around 7% of the freshman class deciding to make the switch.

I would think many more 8th graders from Fox Mill / SLHS part of Floris opted in.

I would guess that at least half of those are from Fox Mill based on the conversations that I have had. There was a lot of interest for many reasons. I know rising 10th graders who opted in from the Fox Mill ES boundary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know any rising sophomores opting in?
Our base school is not great, but I don’t know any sophomores opting in to Western. They just don’t seem interested about attending a school with limited clases and activities and having to go to the base school for sports.
And the fewer that opt in, the fewer others want to follow.
I wish they had just settled the boundaries and made everyone go.

Yes, I know a bunch are from SLHS. I have neighbors whose kids will be moving and they told me that many of their kids friends opted in. Honestly, I know rising Juniors who are annoyed that they don't have the choice.

I would be surprised if they get 500 sophomores but they will have a decent number.

There were only 40-45 kids out of approx. 607 students from SLHS that asked to be at Western for ninth grade as reported at last SLHS PTSA meeting when SB rep. shared data. That’s only about 15% of ninth graders and some have changed their minds and spoken with counselors to deselect after the deadline. The percentage will most likely decrease again.

The FCPS school profile shows 607 freshmen at SLHS.

So, roughly 40–45 out of the 607 9th graders at South Lakes High School opted in to attend the new Western High School next year. In other words, they chose to transfer out of SLHS.

That's a good number, around 7% of the freshman class deciding to make the switch.

I would think many more 8th graders from Fox Mill / SLHS part of Floris opted in.

DP and I agree, that is a good number, and probably what we would expect given the portion of kids matriculating into SLHS from Carson is small compared to Hughes. Hughes kids probably less interested. Carson/Fox Mill/Floris kids probably well represented in the kids who opted in.

[Anonymous]

I'm just going to be really upset if the Oakton moms have their way and my child ends up being literally the only kids from Carson that go to Oakton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm just going to be really upset if the Oakton moms have their way and my child ends up being literally the only kids from Carson that go to Oakton.

They'll switch Crossfield to Franklin, I'm sure. But, Crossfield would be at new school if they used objective standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just going to be really upset if the Oakton moms have their way and my child ends up being literally the only kids from Carson that go to Oakton.

They'll switch Crossfield to Franklin, I'm sure. But, Crossfield would be at new school if they used objective standards.

Is there room for Crossfield at Franklin? Or would they need to move some kids out of Franklin? And would they really do that now after they just did a whole boundary review, plus upcoming changes presumably coming to AAP at middle schools? Whatever they do, they really need to make the feeder patterns make sense. If Crossfield stays at Carson and feeds to Oakton, and if Lees Corner and Oak Hill both go to Western, then that leaves Navy kids as the only ones at Franklin who go to Oakton.

I doubt someone is looking at the big picture of all this and is just listening to whoever is in their ear the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just going to be really upset if the Oakton moms have their way and my child ends up being literally the only kids from Carson that go to Oakton.

They'll switch Crossfield to Franklin, I'm sure. But, Crossfield would be at new school if they used objective standards.

Is there room for Crossfield at Franklin? Or would they need to move some kids out of Franklin? And would they really do that now after they just did a whole boundary review, plus upcoming changes presumably coming to AAP at middle schools? Whatever they do, they really need to make the feeder patterns make sense. If Crossfield stays at Carson and feeds to Oakton, and if Lees Corner and Oak Hill both go to Western, then that leaves Navy kids as the only ones at Franklin who go to Oakton.

I doubt someone is looking at the big picture of all this and is just listening to whoever is in their ear the most.

I would not assume Lees Corner will go to the new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just going to be really upset if the Oakton moms have their way and my child ends up being literally the only kids from Carson that go to Oakton.

They'll switch Crossfield to Franklin, I'm sure. But, Crossfield would be at new school if they used objective standards.

Is there room for Crossfield at Franklin? Or would they need to move some kids out of Franklin? And would they really do that now after they just did a whole boundary review, plus upcoming changes presumably coming to AAP at middle schools? Whatever they do, they really need to make the feeder patterns make sense. If Crossfield stays at Carson and feeds to Oakton, and if Lees Corner and Oak Hill both go to Western, then that leaves Navy kids as the only ones at Franklin who go to Oakton.

I doubt someone is looking at the big picture of all this and is just listening to whoever is in their ear the most.

I think Waples Mill kids go to Oakton from Franklin too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would be transparent on enrollment - they want it to be a magnet school - that is clear - but the hocus pocus on transportation I think kept people away. Even TJ busses from out here. We opted in and I’m excited for my kid- I think it will be great but li do regret the chaos led some of his friends to stay at base schools (or sports). What will be weird is if this becomes an Oak Hill ES plus opt in situation which feels possible at this point. They will have a few OH kids who had no intention of being at a stem magnet - could get weird. Many kids at OH are into this sort of magnet program anyway so 80 percent will be ok with it. I actually think our home values will go up if we are zoned as in boundary for an AI/Robotics/Engineering school. Way up actually. Do not waste your time typing that this is not a magnet school, I understand your view, I have another.

I would be very upset if not many Chantilly kids opted in. Western was bought to help with the overcrowding of Chantilly, not to help under-enrolled schools like South Lakes, so they can increase their house value by being in boundary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would be transparent on enrollment - they want it to be a magnet school - that is clear - but the hocus pocus on transportation I think kept people away. Even TJ busses from out here. We opted in and I’m excited for my kid- I think it will be great but li do regret the chaos led some of his friends to stay at base schools (or sports). What will be weird is if this becomes an Oak Hill ES plus opt in situation which feels possible at this point. They will have a few OH kids who had no intention of being at a stem magnet - could get weird. Many kids at OH are into this sort of magnet program anyway so 80 percent will be ok with it. I actually think our home values will go up if we are zoned as in boundary for an AI/Robotics/Engineering school. Way up actually. Do not waste your time typing that this is not a magnet school, I understand your view, I have another.

I would be very upset if not many Chantilly kids opted in. Western was bought to help with the overcrowding of Chantilly, not to help under-enrolled schools like South Lakes, so they can increase their house value by being in boundary.

I think people in the area are worried that Reid intends it to be a "hybrid" school. Part magnet and a small traditional boundary--rather than a traditional high school.
I'm a little worried that is what she intends--rather than doing what she should have done and set the traditional boundary long ago. Uncertainty is the problem.

I cannot imagine a worse way to roll out the opening of a new school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would be transparent on enrollment - they want it to be a magnet school - that is clear - but the hocus pocus on transportation I think kept people away. Even TJ busses from out here. We opted in and I’m excited for my kid- I think it will be great but li do regret the chaos led some of his friends to stay at base schools (or sports). What will be weird is if this becomes an Oak Hill ES plus opt in situation which feels possible at this point. They will have a few OH kids who had no intention of being at a stem magnet - could get weird. Many kids at OH are into this sort of magnet program anyway so 80 percent will be ok with it. I actually think our home values will go up if we are zoned as in boundary for an AI/Robotics/Engineering school. Way up actually. Do not waste your time typing that this is not a magnet school, I understand your view, I have another.

I would be very upset if not many Chantilly kids opted in. Western was bought to help with the overcrowding of Chantilly, not to help under-enrolled schools like South Lakes, so they can increase their house value by being in boundary.

Plenty of people at Chantilly want the school to have fewer students but no one wants to move, they want other people to move. Sound familiar? I would be surprised if too many kids from Chantilly opted in but I would guess that there are some. It would be nice if they released how many kids opted in and from what school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would be transparent on enrollment - they want it to be a magnet school - that is clear - but the hocus pocus on transportation I think kept people away. Even TJ busses from out here. We opted in and I’m excited for my kid- I think it will be great but li do regret the chaos led some of his friends to stay at base schools (or sports). What will be weird is if this becomes an Oak Hill ES plus opt in situation which feels possible at this point. They will have a few OH kids who had no intention of being at a stem magnet - could get weird. Many kids at OH are into this sort of magnet program anyway so 80 percent will be ok with it. I actually think our home values will go up if we are zoned as in boundary for an AI/Robotics/Engineering school. Way up actually. Do not waste your time typing that this is not a magnet school, I understand your view, I have another.

I would be very upset if not many Chantilly kids opted in. Western was bought to help with the overcrowding of Chantilly, not to help under-enrolled schools like South Lakes, so they can increase their house value by being in boundary.

Plenty of people at Chantilly want the school to have fewer students but no one wants to move, they want other people to move. Sound familiar? I would be surprised if too many kids from Chantilly opted in but I would guess that there are some. It would be nice if they released how many kids opted in and from what school.

Yeah, it sounds a lot like West Springfield, but they didn’t drop $200 million on a new school a few miles away from WSHS. At this point they should be thrown in jail if they don’t adopt boundaries that at a minimum move all of Oak Hill to Western.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they would be transparent on enrollment - they want it to be a magnet school - that is clear - but the hocus pocus on transportation I think kept people away. Even TJ busses from out here. We opted in and I’m excited for my kid- I think it will be great but li do regret the chaos led some of his friends to stay at base schools (or sports). What will be weird is if this becomes an Oak Hill ES plus opt in situation which feels possible at this point. They will have a few OH kids who had no intention of being at a stem magnet - could get weird. Many kids at OH are into this sort of magnet program anyway so 80 percent will be ok with it. I actually think our home values will go up if we are zoned as in boundary for an AI/Robotics/Engineering school. Way up actually. Do not waste your time typing that this is not a magnet school, I understand your view, I have another.

I would be very upset if not many Chantilly kids opted in. Western was bought to help with the overcrowding of Chantilly, not to help under-enrolled schools like South Lakes, so they can increase their house value by being in boundary.

Plenty of people at Chantilly want the school to have fewer students but no one wants to move, they want other people to move. Sound familiar? I would be surprised if too many kids from Chantilly opted in but I would guess that there are some. It would be nice if they released how many kids opted in and from what school.

Yeah, it sounds a lot like West Springfield, but they didn’t drop $200 million on a new school a few miles away from WSHS. At this point they should be thrown in jail if they don’t adopt boundaries that at a minimum move all of Oak Hill to Western.

Sure, but it sounds like they want it to be Oak Hill and the rest a magnet. Oak Hill families don't want that. Reid just does not get it.
Option A was clearly the right model.