South Arlington elementary school boundary adjustments 2019

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The demographics of Nauck have really changed. THe neighborhood school is not reflective of the neighborhood population anymore. We live in Nauck, we are UMC and go to Claremont. We also have a lot of neighbors that go to ATS and Hoffman Boston. I am not saying it is a mega rich neighborhood by any means but I don't know that it is overall high poverty anymore. THe neighborhood went from 97% black to something like 20%. If they force the neighborhood families to go to Drew I think it could really change the demographics of the school, but who knows.

Yep, the neighborhood has attracted some UMC families. But they tend to send their kids to option schools - either Montessori, or, in your case, Claremont. Many of them are going to follow the Montessori program to the Henry building. Poverty in Nauck is still pretty high - at least 20 percent and probably higher, and that's Census data APS has published. Especially the portion south of Glebe Road. The children in poverty are probably mostly in the regular graded program at Drew, judging from test scores (which are highly correlated to family income). Eliminating choice schools and forcing Nauck residents to go to Drew? I don't think that's going to happen. Would you stand for it? It would be unfair for low-income kids who want to attend a choice school.

Given the relatively high poverty rate, the tendency for UMC Nauck residents with children to either move away or send their kids to choice programs other than Drew Model, my best guess is that the New Drew is going to resemble the current Model program, demographically. I think APS will be under the usual pressure to cherry pick/rezone nearby low-income and AH complexes to Drew to relieve overcrowding at Oakridge, which would probably change the current demographics modestly. It's always easier to rezone poorer families, they aren't as politically powerful. That was the case regarding Arlington Forest and Wakefield, just like it was true decades ago when the decision was made to bus Nauck students out of their neighborhood, instead of bringing white, wealthier students from outside Nauck to Drew.

Though it's identity is historically black, the neighborhood is now about a third black, a third Hispanic, a quarter white and about 10% Asian or multiracial. It was 60% black, 20% Hispanic, 20% white in 2000, so it's been awhile since it was near 100% African American. It's a neighborhood of mostly modest SFH and duplexes, most pretty well kept. It's easy to assume everyone living in them has the kind of income that would enable them to buy such homes in 2018. Some families do, but others don't; they live in homes whose mortgage was paid off by parents or grandparents a long time ago.

Sorry by eliminating I didn't mean get rid of them completely, but right now Nauck has guaranteed admission into Claremont, Hoffman Boston, and Montessori if you attend Montessori preschool. By getting rid of guaranteed admission in all those areas you are bound to have a lot less people from Nauck attending choice schools.

I understand now. Thanks for clarifying. However, avoiding the graded program at Drew is a big reason MC kids in Nauck go to Claremont, Hoffman, etc. not saying that's the case with you, but it's widely known that the model program at Drew is struggling. And the guaranteed option to go elsewhere was no doubt a consideration many UMC families made before buying a house in Nauck. Time will tell but I think many UMC families will move if they can't get into a choice school. Especially if APS chooses to rezone the poorest kids at abingdon and Oakridge to Drew.

Oh it was a large part of why we bought in Nauck, so I get it. But I also think people may not be able to just move easily to get into a better school. I know if Claremont removes sibling preference for our youngest we have no choice but to stay. I don't think Drew is going to be a quick fix, but 10 years from now? Who knows. It will be interesting to watch.

Yep, can't predict 10 years out but I think I've got a more or less accurate read on the next couple years. I hope I don't sound too pessimistic, and I do hope the new Drew succeeds. But I think Drew is going to be a tough sell for young UMC families. You can see the groundwork being laid with the recent adoption of a STEAM curriculum, which is an obvious attempt to impress those families, but it's non-existent at this point. I'm not sure any of the teachers have been trained in it yet. Plus, home prices have gone up quite a bit in Nauck over the last few years, so no one is going to take a bath if they sell their house. Sure, it wouldn't be enough to buy a house in North Arlington, but they can just move to Oakridge or Fairfax which will look even more attractive if APS moves all the FARMs eligible children to Drew, which it probably will do. That's clearly what APS has in mind. Don't like it? Then move.

Chiming in on the Drew STEAM program. I have attended Nauck Civic Association meetings and as a community member who will probably one day have children at Drew, have stayed in the loop regarding changes at the school. Teachers received initial training on Project-Based Learning in August and have also received ongoing training on PBL and STEAM throughout the year. It seems that teachers are using PBL as the "delivery model" for STEAM. From what I understand, students learn real world problems and learn content as they complete their projects instead of working on a project as enrichment. Evidence of this was highlighted to us on the Drew STEAM website. I think things are looking optimistic for the school and will only get better once the school can focus on one program. I just hope people realize that changes do take time, but positive things seem to be happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft also has no chance to improve. Once Gillian place families move in, its FRL percentage will go up. If the SB takes Alcova Heights into Fleet, a large percentage of the UMC will leave the school. So, either way Barcroft has no chance. It faces many of the same challenges as Randolph because of the number of walkers coming from MARKs and CAFs around the Pike. Many UMC families have choiced out.

Barcroft is at 59% fr/l. With the exception of one year, it's always been under 60%. They have a new principal, and a pretty active PTA. We'll have to see what happens with the boundary. This is another neighborhood where people are paying $$$$ for a SFH. Not everyone is going to get a spot at an option school and there are a LOT of UMC little kids here. In fact, within the walk zone, it's exclusively UMC except for one CAF. We'll have to see what they do with the PU's outside of the walk zone.

This. There are just too many UMC cramming into Barcroft and Alcova Heights for it to stay the way it is. There's the possibility that some people are buying and are planning to go private, but there are plenty who aren't. We can't all go choice. I guess we could all try to transfer to one of the schools in the south, but it seems like a better idea to fix the school we're zoned for. I'm half tempted to show up for the tours later this week, but my kiddos aren't school age yet.

I think you're onto to something there, I can't afford a house in either neighborhood and haven't been able to for several years I'd consider my family UMC but maybe that's wishful thinking, lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One point of clarification: I don't think they're removing the sibling preference at the choice schools. It would disadvantage too many families, especially those where you don't have a SAHM or other caregiver. Can you imagine a single parent trying to get a 2nd grader to ATS or Key and a Kindergarten student to Abingdon every day?

They are choices that the family has made. If it's too inconvenient, they can always send their kids - all of them - to their neighborhood school. Not everyone gets to opt out of their neighborhood school. There are choices. There are trade-offs. Make the choice - don't complain about the trade-offs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft also has no chance to improve. Once Gillian place families move in, its FRL percentage will go up. If the SB takes Alcova Heights into Fleet, a large percentage of the UMC will leave the school. So, either way Barcroft has no chance. It faces many of the same challenges as Randolph because of the number of walkers coming from MARKs and CAFs around the Pike. Many UMC families have choiced out.

Barcroft is at 59% fr/l. With the exception of one year, it's always been under 60%. They have a new principal, and a pretty active PTA. We'll have to see what happens with the boundary. This is another neighborhood where people are paying $$$$ for a SFH. Not everyone is going to get a spot at an option school and there are a LOT of UMC little kids here. In fact, within the walk zone, it's exclusively UMC except for one CAF. We'll have to see what they do with the PU's outside of the walk zone.

I don't believe that's accurate re. the 60% statistic. It's been above 60% for most of my kids' careers there. The other factor to consider is how the revised transfer policies will impact a school like Barcroft where there are already a high number of transfers out. Eliminating the geographical preference to immersion could very well open up more seats for kids in the Barcroft zone.

The PTA is active, though not as broadly as in years past. It is a small - I mean small - group of the same parents every year. There is some new blood and they are trying to find their stride determining what efforts they should focus on, what things to worry not-so-much about. Overall I think the community and school suffered a bit (some positives occurred) under the previous principal. But the current principal seems to have raised expectations again - and that can only be a good thing regardless of what happens with the boundaries. It wasn't a bad school to begin with. Not the best, but hardly the worst. And environment is very important. I'd choose that environment again over any with the snobby, entitled, out-of-touch-with-the-real-world mindsets expressed on this forum any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft also has no chance to improve. Once Gillian place families move in, its FRL percentage will go up. If the SB takes Alcova Heights into Fleet, a large percentage of the UMC will leave the school. So, either way Barcroft has no chance. It faces many of the same challenges as Randolph because of the number of walkers coming from MARKs and CAFs around the Pike. Many UMC families have choiced out.

Barcroft is at 59% fr/l. With the exception of one year, it's always been under 60%. They have a new principal, and a pretty active PTA. We'll have to see what happens with the boundary. This is another neighborhood where people are paying $$$$ for a SFH. Not everyone is going to get a spot at an option school and there are a LOT of UMC little kids here. In fact, within the walk zone, it's exclusively UMC except for one CAF. We'll have to see what they do with the PU's outside of the walk zone.

This. There are just too many UMC cramming into Barcroft and Alcova Heights for it to stay the way it is. There's the possibility that some people are buying and are planning to go private, but there are plenty who aren't. We can't all go choice. I guess we could all try to transfer to one of the schools in the south, but it seems like a better idea to fix the school we're zoned for. I'm half tempted to show up for the tours later this week, but my kiddos aren't school age yet.

You don't have to wait until your kids are school age. In fact, going now and getting involved now would be a good thing. it will help you get to know the school and community sooner and be more familiar when your kids are ready for kindergarten. Also, it will be an excellent way to evaluate the principal and the staff, by seeing where the school is now and where it is going, and then where it is when your kids are ready to start. And if you don't like where it goes between now and then, you will be able to make a well-informed decision when kindergarten comes around.

[Anonymous]

Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

But but but...
Our homes are so nice and we paid so much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft also has no chance to improve. Once Gillian place families move in, its FRL percentage will go up. If the SB takes Alcova Heights into Fleet, a large percentage of the UMC will leave the school. So, either way Barcroft has no chance. It faces many of the same challenges as Randolph because of the number of walkers coming from MARKs and CAFs around the Pike. Many UMC families have choiced out.

Barcroft is at 59% fr/l. With the exception of one year, it's always been under 60%. They have a new principal, and a pretty active PTA. We'll have to see what happens with the boundary. This is another neighborhood where people are paying $$$$ for a SFH. Not everyone is going to get a spot at an option school and there are a LOT of UMC little kids here. In fact, within the walk zone, it's exclusively UMC except for one CAF. We'll have to see what they do with the PU's outside of the walk zone.

This. There are just too many UMC cramming into Barcroft and Alcova Heights for it to stay the way it is. There's the possibility that some people are buying and are planning to go private, but there are plenty who aren't. We can't all go choice. I guess we could all try to transfer to one of the schools in the south, but it seems like a better idea to fix the school we're zoned for. I'm half tempted to show up for the tours later this week, but my kiddos aren't school age yet.

You don't have to wait until your kids are school age. In fact, going now and getting involved now would be a good thing. it will help you get to know the school and community sooner and be more familiar when your kids are ready for kindergarten. Also, it will be an excellent way to evaluate the principal and the staff, by seeing where the school is now and where it is going, and then where it is when your kids are ready to start. And if you don't like where it goes between now and then, you will be able to make a well-informed decision when kindergarten comes around.

+100 Well said, good advice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

Well, I guess all six of them were at the bake sale out in the rain selling homemade treats on Election Day then. And they send out a lot of emails on the neighborhood listserv. In general, PTA's are usually just 5 people pulling the main load. That's not unique to Barcroft. If the school had a normal calendar, we'd be there and I'd be on that PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

Well, I guess all six of them were at the bake sale out in the rain selling homemade treats on Election Day then. And they send out a lot of emails on the neighborhood listserv. In general, PTA's are usually just 5 people pulling the main load. That's not unique to Barcroft. If the school had a normal calendar, we'd be there and I'd be on that PTA.

No, see, that’s where some people in S.A. don’t even know what they’re missing. Parental involvement is so much higher at many schools in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

Well, I guess all six of them were at the bake sale out in the rain selling homemade treats on Election Day then. And they send out a lot of emails on the neighborhood listserv. In general, PTA's are usually just 5 people pulling the main load. That's not unique to Barcroft. If the school had a normal calendar, we'd be there and I'd be on that PTA.

No, see, that’s where some people in S.A. don’t even know what they’re missing. Parental involvement is so much higher at many schools in Arlington.

I suspect there are a lot more dual income households in S Arlington. A lot of us are professionals but may not have the flexibility to attend day time events. I wish I could, but I am not allowed to work from home at all. That said, if there is a way to be more involved in my kid's school when they start, I would try. Right now at preschool, I always chip in for events and bring in snacks, but it's dropping off and sprinting out the door to get to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft also has no chance to improve. Once Gillian place families move in, its FRL percentage will go up. If the SB takes Alcova Heights into Fleet, a large percentage of the UMC will leave the school. So, either way Barcroft has no chance. It faces many of the same challenges as Randolph because of the number of walkers coming from MARKs and CAFs around the Pike. Many UMC families have choiced out.

Barcroft is at 59% fr/l. With the exception of one year, it's always been under 60%. They have a new principal, and a pretty active PTA. We'll have to see what happens with the boundary. This is another neighborhood where people are paying $$$$ for a SFH. Not everyone is going to get a spot at an option school and there are a LOT of UMC little kids here. In fact, within the walk zone, it's exclusively UMC except for one CAF. We'll have to see what they do with the PU's outside of the walk zone.

This. There are just too many UMC cramming into Barcroft and Alcova Heights for it to stay the way it is. There's the possibility that some people are buying and are planning to go private, but there are plenty who aren't. We can't all go choice. I guess we could all try to transfer to one of the schools in the south, but it seems like a better idea to fix the school we're zoned for. I'm half tempted to show up for the tours later this week, but my kiddos aren't school age yet.

You don't have to wait until your kids are school age. In fact, going now and getting involved now would be a good thing. it will help you get to know the school and community sooner and be more familiar when your kids are ready for kindergarten. Also, it will be an excellent way to evaluate the principal and the staff, by seeing where the school is now and where it is going, and then where it is when your kids are ready to start. And if you don't like where it goes between now and then, you will be able to make a well-informed decision when kindergarten comes around.

+100 Well said, good advice!

Okay - I am doing it! It's on the calendar. I will leave the kiddo at school though.

We did go to K info night and we weren't the only parents there without a rising K student. I spotted someone with a baby that had an outfit that screamed 1st child to me. I don't blame them - they were probably deciding where to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Barcroft does not have an active PTA. It does not have committees of any kind. It has about 6 parents who do anything at all. You are not the first group of UMC parents moving to Barcroft. They have been there all along. For decades. But the schools are overwhelmed by the multi unit housing in the district.

Well, I guess all six of them were at the bake sale out in the rain selling homemade treats on Election Day then. And they send out a lot of emails on the neighborhood listserv. In general, PTA's are usually just 5 people pulling the main load. That's not unique to Barcroft. If the school had a normal calendar, we'd be there and I'd be on that PTA.

No, see, that’s where some people in S.A. don’t even know what they’re missing. Parental involvement is so much higher at many schools in Arlington.

This what what my friend at Long Branch complained about. Last time I checked, that's considered N Arlington.

I know there are N. Arlington PTAs with lots of parents who can do things during the day, like come in and read or cut out shapes, but that's not necessary at a Title 1 school. They don't need parents to come in to help in the classroom, because Title 1 money means they have additional staff who do those functions. They only need a solid core of committed parents to take on organizing fundraisers and events. It would behoove them to have more parents, who could seek out and apply for grants, who can organize to represent the school politically should there be a reason. But you don't need to be a SAHP or WAHP for that.

We're not at Barcroft, but live in the neighborhood. They've always done fundraisers. Over the years we've attended or heard about bake sales, restaurant nights, Fun Runs, carnivals, etc. We're at an option school w/very high PTA involvement, so I know the difference. I just think a lot of what the "very involved" parents do at our school, is not something they'd be asked to do or needed for at Barcroft. But I think it wouldn't hurt Barcroft to have more involved parents. I will say two of my neighbors enrolled their oldest kids this year for K. They are both SAHM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay - I am doing it! It's on the calendar. I will leave the kiddo at school though.

We did go to K info night and we weren't the only parents there without a rising K student. I spotted someone with a baby that had an outfit that screamed 1st child to me. I don't blame them - they were probably deciding where to move.

Good for you! Talk to your friends and have them start paying attention as well. The boundary process they are going through now will take effect in 2019 and ripple into 2021. Pretty much only families with kids 3rd grade and younger will be impacted, and the 2021 moves in north Arlington due to Reed won't impact any child currently in school most likely. Decisions are being made for kids who are in preschool and younger.

In our neighborhood we are definitely trying to get the attention of families with little kids and get them engaged and paying attention since these decisions will impact them directly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect there are a lot more dual income households in S Arlington. A lot of us are professionals but may not have the flexibility to attend day time events. I wish I could, but I am not allowed to work from home at all. That said, if there is a way to be more involved in my kid's school when they start, I would try. Right now at preschool, I always chip in for events and bring in snacks, but it's dropping off and sprinting out the door to get to work.

Our school is primarily dual-income families north of Rt 50. I have never been able to help out during the day except for one-off volunteering at a holiday party, but our family tries to volunteer for committees that meet in the evening, or to drop off snacks, or to pull a shift at a game during the annual fun fair. Honestly unless the family is truly poverty stricken and working multiple jobs with 5 kids at home, there is at least one way at least once a year for a family to offer an hour or two of time. That household has to decide they want to find a way.