How to Pupil Place your child

[Anonymous]

I live 1.3 miles from a high school. However, my children will be bussed to a school that is over 7 miles from our home (passing another high school along the way). There is also another high school that is 3 miles from my home in another direction. I really want my children to go to the school that is 1.3 miles from my home or even 3 miles from my home. Our high school (where our boundary sends us) is 7 miles in awful traffic. With the later start time, it will take even longer because of traffic driving in the height of rush hour in the morning and coming home during rush hour versus after in the afternoon. So, it is a quality of life issue. Being closer just makes more sense.

Looking for ideas on how to pupil place.

My children do not have an IEP or 504. I have been told to look for a class that this high school offers that is not available at the other. However, I have not found any. They offer the same languages, etc... They are both AP schools. They are both severely overcrowded so I know I need a good reason to switch.

I really want to just write ---- We live 1.3 miles from the school. My children can walk. I hear your football games from my backyard. Let us attend the school that is really in our backyard. But, I don't think they will listen to that.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Not going to happen. You need to have a valid reason such as IB vs. AP or Japanese vs. Spanish. "It's closer to my house." won't work. You can move, home school or accept it. I don't mean that in a snide way, but, realistically, those are your options. I guess, one more option would be to get in a bullying (social problem) situation and then claim that as a social reason for a move. I wouldn't recommend that path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are both severely overcrowded so I know I need a good reason to switch.

This means you cannot pupil place. Period.
There has to be room at the receiving school, no matter what.

[Anonymous]

Does the school that's 3 mile away have IB?

[Anonymous]

Is it FCPS? Now I am obsessed with figuring out which schools.

[Anonymous]

And is there room at the high school you want to go to?
West Springfield is currently closed to pupil placement because of the planned construction.

You also said, "your children will be bused" what age are they? Are they actually willing to leave their friends and start a new school? or are your kids no wear near high school age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it FCPS? Now I am obsessed with figuring out which schools.

If OP is in FCPS, it seems like the two most likely candidates are (1) living in the NW part of the Falls Church district, within walking distance of Oakton and closer to Madison than Falls Church; or (2) living in the western part of the Fairfax district, within walking distance of Chantilly and closer to Centerville than Fairfax. All AP schools.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in 6th AAP so their friends will be splitting into 4 potential middle schools next year. Going to the AAP center for middle school means that the kids they meet will go to 3 different HS (not including those going to TJ) so leaving friends is not an issue. They are being split apart away.

For those dying of curiosity. I want to go to Centreville instead of Fairfax. Chantilly would also work. I would rather AP over IB. But even Robinson is closer.

[Anonymous]

I went to LBSS and West Springfield was within walking distance to our house growing up. We survived. It was fine.

[Anonymous]

I think this is something that happens quite a bit in all districts. We actually live closer to LBSS but will be going to Robinson when the time comes. I like the IB option, so don't have a problem with it. But, yeah, it's just the way it is everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to LBSS and West Springfield was within walking distance to our house growing up. We survived. It was fine.

I'm guessing Lake Braddock was closer to your house than Fairfax is to OP's. Clearly her kids would survive.

[Anonymous]

Also, you can't pupil place at 7&8 grade based on a High school reason. So your 6th grader can't pull the IB card to go to a secondary school.

[Anonymous]

Move?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry-- unless they moved the boundaries since you purchased or rented your home you have zero sympathy!!

I paid a premium to be in-boundary for our schools. I HATE it when people 0.3 miles away from me that bought a much cheaper home due to school zoning try to game the system to lie their way into our school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry-- unless they moved the boundaries since you purchased or rented your home you have zero sympathy!!

I paid a premium to be in-boundary for our schools. I HATE it when people 0.3 miles away from me that bought a much cheaper home due to school zoning try to game the system to lie their way into our school.

Are you talking about something other than taking advantage of the rules of pupil placement in FCPS?

The grounds for pupil placement are reasonably clear, so perhaps you only have yourself to blame for paying the premium when you could have bought the cheaper house and pupil placed!