Proposed Changes to Grace Hopper Center

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain what this change would mean for Tech students?

They could not really explain this last night, or the rationale for the change.

I got the email and was having a hard time figuring out what they were talking. Worried that I was not alone in that.

Apart from programmatic changes, this consolidation appears to be cost driven. Although APS said they wouldn't mothball current school sites, the plan would entail the relocation of the Langston Program out of Langston. Maybe the plan is to use Langston as a swing space?

Last night Kim graves said it was not budget driven

It almost sounds as if the concern is that Arlington Tech would have to share the new space with other programs? Wasn't that always the case? The ACC has a ton of programs in it, and some programs were in the old Human Services building that was where the Hopper Center is. Not surprised APS would bring back programs they moved elsewhere to free up space. Am I missing the point?

They could've made it that simple, but the whole rebranding complicates simple moves like that. Also there are lingering questions on access to the career center courses.

I got the feeling sometimes that the ulterior motive by some who advocated for Arlington Tech and the expanded building was to create a STEM focused HB Woodlawn in that neighborhood, and the idea that the space would be shared with "alternative" programs lessens the appeal? I know people who really like the Langston program. I feel like before Arl Tech, it was in the Career Center...

This definitely push Arlington Tech towards the vocational tech perception

Why? (Parent of incoming 9th grader interested in tech who still doesn’t understand what this all means).

APS has done a horrible job with communication and bringing up these proposed changes at the last minute. Not a good time for uncertainty with students and parents in the midst of making high school choices for 9th grade. Arlington Tech also needs to grow its 9th grade class substantially with the increased capacity of the new building.

I’ve said many times they are not getting AT to the 1000+ mark. Neighborhoods schools are screwed too with overcrowding.

What does it mean then that AT doesn't admit all of the students that apply? Is it that there was not capacity or that those students didn't make the cut? I'm watching as a parent of a middle school student who is very interested, but not going to 9th grade next year. AT seems like a really good fit.

Right now it’s small. When it’s big and colocated with a vocational program it will not longer have that small school vibe like HB

It’s already located with the vocational school and that was never intended to change the thing that they are trying to change is making a school within a school with a separate principal and then adding the alternative high school programs, Langston and new directions

Yeah it’s always has this problem, and adding the alternative high school and making it a peer program with the vocational program diminishes it.

Some of those courses aren’t necessarily vocational. Can definitely lead to professional opportunities if they continue with training. Aviation? Engineering? Early Childhood Education?

That’s one reason why students at the comprehensive high schools should still be able to take these “career center” courses without any reduction in access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

This is off-topic but how did no one from an APS get into Rice? do the strong candidates apply to different schools? Or is it just too hard of an admit?

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

I honestly didn't know so I looked up that chart- admits to Northeastern, Northwestern and Brown? Looks like a higher admit rate to UVA or VA Tech than any other HS? I'm not sure it's that different of a profile -- you're talking about a handful of kids who applied to those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

I honestly didn't know so I looked up that chart- admits to Northeastern, Northwestern and Brown? Looks like a higher admit rate to UVA or VA Tech than any other HS? I'm not sure it's that different of a profile -- you're talking about a handful of kids who applied to those schools.

But it’s a bellwether for the trajectory of the AT program; it’s basically a feeder to VATech, which I’m sure appeals to some parents but I don’t know if it will have the appeal of TJ or HB and struggle to fill its pipeline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

I honestly didn't know so I looked up that chart- admits to Northeastern, Northwestern and Brown? Looks like a higher admit rate to UVA or VA Tech than any other HS? I'm not sure it's that different of a profile -- you're talking about a handful of kids who applied to those schools.

But it’s a bellwether for the trajectory of the AT program; it’s basically a feeder to VATech, which I’m sure appeals to some parents but I don’t know if it will have the appeal of TJ or HB and struggle to fill its pipeline.

The focus on dual enrollment makes it a more natural fit for moving on to a VA public U since the community college credits are a straightforward transfer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Somebody mentioned tech growing. THey have a substantial waitlist this year and it will grow. There is nothing going on that will diminish the program and it will still grow over the next four years to the ultimate goal of 1k kids. It will get there. The teachers and very good and very dedicated. The DE options are terrific and because of the CTE classes, the electives are pretty exciting. Some kids get a skill in the college prep environment so that they can work a better job than fast food or retail while going to college. It's a really coold program.

DE is such a disservice, they need AP

DE is good, especially in-state

AP is viewed more favorably than DE when applying to selective colleges.

Eventually, I think APS will allow for a robust AP program in addition to the unique DE program at Arlington Tech. It could become wildly successful with a very competitive lottery, on par with H-B lottery odds. However, APS may fear the cannibalization of top talent from the comprehensive high schools, even if AT scores are grouped in with the comprehensive schools.

I do think comprehensive AP courses would hurt Wakefield in particular but having the DE option is great, especially for lower income students who can save a ton of money if they stay in state

Exactly. This is not TJ light, with the highest performers gunning for the Ivys. This school is for the kids who have trouble sitting still in class, like to work with hands, but have the smarts to be a step above vocational school.

Aren't the college-bound Arlington Tech kids still getting into top state schools and even ivies? I don't have hard data, but this is based on conversation with other parents.

Top VA state schools? Like VA Tech? That’s a totally different path than for a TJ grad.

https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/arlington-class-2023-colleges-universities-applied-accepted/

The Brown universities admits are interesting, but generally it’s a very different mix than WL for example. No MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, or Harvey Mudd for example.

Meanwhile HBW had Harvard, MIT, GATech, and Stanford do a similar size school without a tech focus.

I honestly didn't know so I looked up that chart- admits to Northeastern, Northwestern and Brown? Looks like a higher admit rate to UVA or VA Tech than any other HS? I'm not sure it's that different of a profile -- you're talking about a handful of kids who applied to those schools.

But it’s a bellwether for the trajectory of the AT program; it’s basically a feeder to VATech, which I’m sure appeals to some parents but I don’t know if it will have the appeal of TJ or HB and struggle to fill its pipeline.

It's not Wakefield... so I think it will be fine.