Waiver for HB Woodlawn

[Anonymous]

No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute.

So you really don't know but just assume it's some kind of a conspiracy. Either this kid got a better number in the next lottery or they got in for private reasons that have nothing to do with you. Gross of you to speculate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

This is a weird response. HB was always for the quirky kids who didn't fit in in the regular high schools. It used to be called Hippie High! All teachers everywhere are supposed to teach sped students as well as all other students, that's no different at HB.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Has anyone heard of a medical waiver being approved for a student to transfer into HB Woodlawn for middle school? My child’s psychiatrist believes this school would provide the best learning environment for them. I am doubtful this exists let alone would be approved. The child would be coming from a non-APS school in 7th. [/quote]


Curious OP if you have found any information. We are actually in a similar situation. We pulled a kid out to go private in middle school because their doctor thought it would be a better fit considering some issues we were experiencing. We are not looking at HS and not really wanting to stay in priviate but also do not know if our neighbor HS is a good fit. We added our hat to the lottery for HB but are not confident on getting in. We are no kind of considering moving out of Arlington (not just because of the school but because we want to live out further anyway) but it's hard. Wondering if you were able to get a waiver or if you found another option. [/quote]

there is no waiver at HB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

This is a weird response. HB was always for the quirky kids who didn't fit in in the regular high schools. It used to be called Hippie High! All teachers everywhere are supposed to teach sped students as well as all other students, that's no different at HB.

Not fitting in doesn't mean underperforming. HB used to be one of the highest ranked schools in the entire region. It's not the same kind of not-fitting-in kid that's attending these days than years past. Also, yes gen ed teachers are expected to teach sped kids elsewhere but HB is different in several ways. The teachers at HB are expected to be counselors/advisors unlike other schools. There are only ~70-130 kids per class. The small number of kids limits the number of sections in core classes. Each kid as a whole number is way more significant when you're talking about a school population of 100 kids versus 1000 kids. So you end up with almost every class with a large number of sped kids and quirky kids mixed in with the regular kids. Gen ed kids cannot receive the same amount of attention and remediation. And there is a teacher burnout in almost every school as it is because of added burdens before adding in the additional problems at HB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute.

So you really don't know but just assume it's some kind of a conspiracy. Either this kid got a better number in the next lottery or they got in for private reasons that have nothing to do with you. Gross of you to speculate.

It’s gross of me to speculate? That’s such a weird response. It’s not like I’m speculating something horrible about the kid or the family. I’m speculating, based on the circumstances I described in my post, that APS agreed to move the child from child’s zoned HS to option school HB. That’s offensive? I mean, everyone knows its happening and it’s my belief that in a public school system there needs to be a public, agreed upon rubric for making these kinds of moves—instead of pretending it’s just a lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

This is a weird response. HB was always for the quirky kids who didn't fit in in the regular high schools. It used to be called Hippie High! All teachers everywhere are supposed to teach sped students as well as all other students, that's no different at HB.

Not fitting in doesn't mean underperforming. HB used to be one of the highest ranked schools in the entire region. It's not the same kind of not-fitting-in kid that's attending these days than years past. Also, yes gen ed teachers are expected to teach sped kids elsewhere but HB is different in several ways. The teachers at HB are expected to be counselors/advisors unlike other schools. There are only ~70-130 kids per class. The small number of kids limits the number of sections in core classes. Each kid as a whole number is way more significant when you're talking about a school population of 100 kids versus 1000 kids. So you end up with almost every class with a large number of sped kids and quirky kids mixed in with the regular kids. Gen ed kids cannot receive the same amount of attention and remediation. And there is a teacher burnout in almost every school as it is because of added burdens before adding in the additional problems at HB.

Lots of long tenure teachers at HB. And my non-sped kid loves it. Getting all As too. Where's the data to support your claim of decline? Also, it's a lottery so there's no way it's a SpEd school like your acting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

This is a weird response. HB was always for the quirky kids who didn't fit in in the regular high schools. It used to be called Hippie High! All teachers everywhere are supposed to teach sped students as well as all other students, that's no different at HB.

Not fitting in doesn't mean underperforming. HB used to be one of the highest ranked schools in the entire region. It's not the same kind of not-fitting-in kid that's attending these days than years past. Also, yes gen ed teachers are expected to teach sped kids elsewhere but HB is different in several ways. The teachers at HB are expected to be counselors/advisors unlike other schools. There are only ~70-130 kids per class. The small number of kids limits the number of sections in core classes. Each kid as a whole number is way more significant when you're talking about a school population of 100 kids versus 1000 kids. So you end up with almost every class with a large number of sped kids and quirky kids mixed in with the regular kids. Gen ed kids cannot receive the same amount of attention and remediation. And there is a teacher burnout in almost every school as it is because of added burdens before adding in the additional problems at HB.

Lots of long tenure teachers at HB. And my non-sped kid loves it. Getting all As too. Where's the data to support your claim of decline? Also, it's a lottery so there's no way it's a SpEd school like your acting.

This is a gross post. Are you even at HB? There are lots of high achieving kids at HB. Lots. It sounds like you have a thing against sped kids and quirky kids, since you just want HB to be for the "regular kids." gross, gross, gross.

[Anonymous]

I had two kids go to HB. Jealous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had two kids go to HB. Jealous?

Troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had two kids go to HB. Jealous?

Troll.

Just sayin’

People get sooo worked up over HB. I had two go there and two others go to the neighborhood school. And guess what? They all were fine.

Relax people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one is getting into HB through a waiver because your doctor thinks it's a better fit. You would have to have some really really compelling reason.

How do you know? I know kids who have gotten in 10th who tried 9th but lost WL. Then, all of a sudden, after a terrible/traumatic/awful 9th grade at regular zoned HS, they were magically moved to HB (and thriving). I don’t fault family and it’s great for the kid. Mom is super “involved” type that does/could work the system. Now, it’s possible that kid magically got a higher waitlist number second go round but I don’t believe it for a minute. Mom and schools worked it out so kid ended up in a much better place. Possible bullying and also likely medical conditions played a role. My point is: these admin transfers are still happening and there is no visibility into who/how/why, meaning maybe you do need a doctors note (and probably a super engaged family, lots of paperwork documenting issues, agreement by teachers/schools?). But because it’s not just lottery then who knows?

First, it's unfair to jump a waitlist with hundreds of kids on it. Second, your kid isn't more important than the kids on that waitlist.

Finally, sending a sped kid to HB was effective when the school had only a few kids needing extra assistance. There is not much of a benefit anymore since so many of them have enrolled. Also, not all these HB kids are diagnosed as sped, there're also a large number of kids whose parents label as "quirky," which I have no idea what clinical definition that falls under but there are a bunch of underwhelming students who are allowed to basically do whatever they want. The small size of HB doesn't have the resources to handle this compared to the larger schools. The result is the inability to teach normal kids since most classes are mixed and all the help and office hours are going to sped kids. The teachers already wear multiple hats as advisors/counselors and they're also expected to be sped experts as well. I wish some of those parents who think their kids will "thrive" at a particular school spent more time actually parenting their kids when they were younger instead of expecting other adults to parent for them--we're not talking about the minority that actually have real unavoidable special needs.

This is a weird response. HB was always for the quirky kids who didn't fit in in the regular high schools. It used to be called Hippie High! All teachers everywhere are supposed to teach sped students as well as all other students, that's no different at HB.

Not fitting in doesn't mean underperforming. HB used to be one of the highest ranked schools in the entire region. It's not the same kind of not-fitting-in kid that's attending these days than years past. Also, yes gen ed teachers are expected to teach sped kids elsewhere but HB is different in several ways. The teachers at HB are expected to be counselors/advisors unlike other schools. There are only ~70-130 kids per class. The small number of kids limits the number of sections in core classes. Each kid as a whole number is way more significant when you're talking about a school population of 100 kids versus 1000 kids. So you end up with almost every class with a large number of sped kids and quirky kids mixed in with the regular kids. Gen ed kids cannot receive the same amount of attention and remediation. And there is a teacher burnout in almost every school as it is because of added burdens before adding in the additional problems at HB.

Lots of long tenure teachers at HB. And my non-sped kid loves it. Getting all As too. Where's the data to support your claim of decline? Also, it's a lottery so there's no way it's a SpEd school like your acting.

+1. this is a troll post. totally inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had two kids go to HB. Jealous?

Troll.

Just sayin’

People get sooo worked up over HB. I had two go there and two others go to the neighborhood school. And guess what? They all were fine.

Relax people.

Now, you tell people who you tried to get riled up to relax? Go sit down.