APS Boundary tool--anyone get it to work yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having now read most of this thread and submitted my own plan using the tool, shouldn't the most appealing approach be to move to Yorktown some of the contiguous units along the western border of the county both north and south of Route 50, and move to Wakefield the contiguous units along the eastern Pike that are currently Hoffman-Boston and Henry students? This doesn't affect walkability at all and it doesn't move the highest FARMS planning units into Wakefield. Understanding that some people are inevitably going to be somewhat disappointed to move from WL to Wakefield, isn't this the best option? What am I missing?

I'm a future Wakefield parent, FWIW. We are in South Arlington and perfectly fine with the school. Would prefer it remain where it is rather than concentrated with more FARMS though.

This is what I submitted as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having now read most of this thread and submitted my own plan using the tool, shouldn't the most appealing approach be to move to Yorktown some of the contiguous units along the western border of the county both north and south of Route 50, and move to Wakefield the contiguous units along the eastern Pike that are currently Hoffman-Boston and Henry students? This doesn't affect walkability at all and it doesn't move the highest FARMS planning units into Wakefield. Understanding that some people are inevitably going to be somewhat disappointed to move from WL to Wakefield, isn't this the best option? What am I missing?

I'm a future Wakefield parent, FWIW. We are in South Arlington and perfectly fine with the school. Would prefer it remain where it is rather than concentrated with more FARMS though.

Can you specify which planning units you recommended so I can see what that would look like?

Thanks.

Move to Yorktown: 1302, 1303, 1304
Move to Wakefield: 4611, 4612, 4614, 4828, 4829, 4815, 4818
Leave at W-L: 3506, 3507, 3508, 3509, 3510 - as a Wakefield parent, these are the ones I'd be concerned about moving over to Wakefield

I had the thought that maybe some of these moves might affect the FARMS % at W-L, but roughly I think it should balance out since some of those units going to Wakefield have moderate FARMS rates (though not at the level of 3506-3510). You could also maybe move 2315 to Yorktown, though it is within the walk zone to W-L.

Plus it appears to have the benefit of geographic cohesion, for whatever that's worth. As others have said, I can't read the elem or middle school boundaries that well, so it might involve some splitting up there. I'm not sure how much I really care about that though.

I'm also not sure why it won't let me move 3506-3510 over to Yorktown. Eyeballing it, I can create a continuous unit, but I can't get it to work using the tool.

I just tried doing what you suggested but the tool says 4818 can't be moved. Also, it's hard to justify such low both numbers at both YT and WF when WL (when I can't move 4818) stays about 105% all 4 years and the other two HSs are below 100 for most 4 years (*some in high 80s or low 90s).

The enrollment criticism is fair, though frankly pretty low on my priority list given the competing concerns. If the school board says it's within their "green" zone, it's good with me. Plus, you can count me among the people who think there is going to have to be a 4th high school built at some point.

I was able to get 4818 moved by moving others first. It's kind of an absurd little exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having now read most of this thread and submitted my own plan using the tool, shouldn't the most appealing approach be to move to Yorktown some of the contiguous units along the western border of the county both north and south of Route 50, and move to Wakefield the contiguous units along the eastern Pike that are currently Hoffman-Boston and Henry students? This doesn't affect walkability at all and it doesn't move the highest FARMS planning units into Wakefield. Understanding that some people are inevitably going to be somewhat disappointed to move from WL to Wakefield, isn't this the best option? What am I missing?

I'm a future Wakefield parent, FWIW. We are in South Arlington and perfectly fine with the school. Would prefer it remain where it is rather than concentrated with more FARMS though.

Can you specify which planning units you recommended so I can see what that would look like?

Thanks.

Move to Yorktown: 1302, 1303, 1304
Move to Wakefield: 4611, 4612, 4614, 4828, 4829, 4815, 4818
Leave at W-L: 3506, 3507, 3508, 3509, 3510 - as a Wakefield parent, these are the ones I'd be concerned about moving over to Wakefield

I had the thought that maybe some of these moves might affect the FARMS % at W-L, but roughly I think it should balance out since some of those units going to Wakefield have moderate FARMS rates (though not at the level of 3506-3510). You could also maybe move 2315 to Yorktown, though it is within the walk zone to W-L.

Plus it appears to have the benefit of geographic cohesion, for whatever that's worth. As others have said, I can't read the elem or middle school boundaries that well, so it might involve some splitting up there. I'm not sure how much I really care about that though.

I'm also not sure why it won't let me move 3506-3510 over to Yorktown. Eyeballing it, I can create a continuous unit, but I can't get it to work using the tool.

That will add 80 current (so maybe 100? forecasted) FARMS students to Wakefield- taking it from roughly 40% FARMS to roughly 45% FARMs.
That will not add any FARMS to Yorktown- leaving it at 14%. It will take W&L from about 30% FARMS to 25%.

Did you do that math yourself or is there a tool? I was mostly guessing at the numbers based on the chart. I definitely see that it adds FARMs kids to Wakefield, but this is all a balancing act and it's a smaller % than it could otherwise be. I am sympathetic to the desire for a walkable, neighborhood school for the W-L parents. And I'm hopeful about those neighborhoods near Hoffman-Boston. My own neighborhood (Nauck area) is turning over substantially.

I can't say I care about the Yorktown demographics. My kids aren't going there, and all signs point to the board and YHS parents having no real desire to add FARMs kids. If they wanted to, other posters have pointed out that western Pike (which the tool won't let me add) or another "Yorktown island" would be the obvious solution. This exercise is about such incremental steps that I'm focused on avoiding harm, not on creating a perfect outcome.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that tool will let you move the western Pike units to Yorktown. It has been suggested here to be in the table for future ( in the next 5 years) redistricting.
I think it speaks volumes that those units can't be shifted at this time, but the EASTERN units can.
Also take note that the western Pike has 100's of subsidized units in the planning stages. It's fine to add the eastern Pike to Wakefield. Those FARMS numbers are balanced out by other middle class homeowners.
Yorktown is going to have to pick another 15% of Farm's students. That will put them more in line with other two schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that tool will let you move the western Pike units to Yorktown. It has been suggested here to be in the table for future ( in the next 5 years) redistricting.
I think it speaks volumes that those units can't be shifted at this time, but the EASTERN units can.
Also take note that the western Pike has 100's of subsidized units in the planning stages. It's fine to add the eastern Pike to Wakefield. Those FARMS numbers are balanced out by other middle class homeowners.
Yorktown is going to have to pick another 15% of Farm's students. That will put them more in line with other two schools.

Yes. I'm the PP who's been replying to everyone. Do you think the board would seriously consider moving those Western Pike units to Wakefield at present? It seems so plainly like the wrong outcome but reading threads like this makes me awfully pessimistic about what might actually happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that tool will let you move the western Pike units to Yorktown. It has been suggested here to be in the table for future ( in the next 5 years) redistricting.
I think it speaks volumes that those units can't be shifted at this time, but the EASTERN units can.
Also take note that the western Pike has 100's of subsidized units in the planning stages. It's fine to add the eastern Pike to Wakefield. Those FARMS numbers are balanced out by other middle class homeowners.
Yorktown is going to have to pick another 15% of Farm's students. That will put them more in line with other two schools.

Yes. I'm the PP who's been replying to everyone. Do you think the board would seriously consider moving those Western Pike units to Wakefield at present? It seems so plainly like the wrong outcome but reading threads like this makes me awfully pessimistic about what might actually happen.

At present no. The tool basically shows that they aren't/haven't even considered it. I'm not sure what you mean by the wrong outcome. What would you consider the right outcome? It's hard to keep all of the responses straight. I understand that is going to suck for some body no matter what. People have the right to fight for their best interests. I get it.

[Anonymous]

The tool doesn't allow you to create an island on that western Pike edge, but you can propose it in the comments. I believe, and I've already submitted two different alternatives and don't want to do a third, that in order to move those units without making them an island is also to move a ton of other units above them, namely into Boulevard Manor, Dominion Hills and maybe Bluemont. By moving that many kids, you go over the amount needed to go to Yorktown. Not sure if I'm explaining that clearly, but that's the challenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tool doesn't allow you to create an island on that western Pike edge, but you can propose it in the comments. I believe, and I've already submitted two different alternatives and don't want to do a third, that in order to move those units without making them an island is also to move a ton of other units above them, namely into Boulevard Manor, Dominion Hills and maybe Bluemont. By moving that many kids, you go over the amount needed to go to Yorktown. Not sure if I'm explaining that clearly, but that's the challenge.

You explained it very well. It would have to be an island. Too many kids get sent to Yorktown if you slice it all the way down.

[Anonymous]

A WL parent here. Please don't take this the wrong way, but the concentration of poverty really doesn't allow for moving up a lot of poorer students to Yorktown. Not without a deliberate decision by the SB (assuming the families in those units don't mind bussing up north) to make it happen.

I hadn't heard about the 100s of new units coming online in the south. DAMN the County Board. I really am starting to despise them.

[Anonymous]

Then speak up to them and the lucrative affordable housing lobby that runs this county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that tool will let you move the western Pike units to Yorktown. It has been suggested here to be in the table for future ( in the next 5 years) redistricting.
I think it speaks volumes that those units can't be shifted at this time, but the EASTERN units can.
Also take note that the western Pike has 100's of subsidized units in the planning stages. It's fine to add the eastern Pike to Wakefield. Those FARMS numbers are balanced out by other middle class homeowners.
Yorktown is going to have to pick another 15% of Farm's students. That will put them more in line with other two schools.

Yes. I'm the PP who's been replying to everyone. Do you think the board would seriously consider moving those Western Pike units to Wakefield at present? It seems so plainly like the wrong outcome but reading threads like this makes me awfully pessimistic about what might actually happen.

At present no. The tool basically shows that they aren't/haven't even considered it. I'm not sure what you mean by the wrong outcome. What would you consider the right outcome? It's hard to keep all of the responses straight. I understand that is going to suck for some body no matter what. People have the right to fight for their best interests. I get it.

Sorry, wasn't trying to be cryptic. I meant it is pretty clear to me that it would be the wrong outcome to move those concentrated high-FARMS units to *Wakefield* because Wakefield already has the highest % of FARMS. Obviously, as a future Wakefield parent, that is concerning to me personally, but I believe I would feel that way no matter where I lived. It seems to be the wrong outcome based on what I believe is a general understanding/acknowledgment that concentrated low-income/disadvantaged schools tend to be bad for everyone, while balanced schools tend to be good for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The tool doesn't allow you to create an island on that western Pike edge, but you can propose it in the comments. I believe, and I've already submitted two different alternatives and don't want to do a third, that in order to move those units without making them an island is also to move a ton of other units above them, namely into Boulevard Manor, Dominion Hills and maybe Bluemont. By moving that many kids, you go over the amount needed to go to Yorktown. Not sure if I'm explaining that clearly, but that's the challenge.

You explained it very well. It would have to be an island. Too many kids get sent to Yorktown if you slice it all the way down.

Different poster. Thanks for the explanation, makes sense.

[Anonymous]

People need to stop focusing on the new units. There is already a concentration of low income housing in south Arlington and of low income kids at Wakefield. That has to do in large part with housing decisions made 60 and 70 years ago, both redlining/segregation (Nauck) and proximity to the Pentagon (apartments). We're talking about enrollment in the school starting next fall. New buildings the CB is approving now or that are just getting started aren't part of this conversation. Part of another important conversation, sure. But not this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A WL parent here. Please don't take this the wrong way, but the concentration of poverty really doesn't allow for moving up a lot of poorer students to Yorktown. Not without a deliberate decision by the SB (assuming the families in those units don't mind bussing up north) to make it happen.

I hadn't heard about the 100s of new units coming online in the south. DAMN the County Board. I really am starting to despise them.

http://www.apah.org/columbia-hills-apartments-approved-by-the-arlington-county-board-february-25-2015/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A WL parent here. Please don't take this the wrong way, but the concentration of poverty really doesn't allow for moving up a lot of poorer students to Yorktown. Not without a deliberate decision by the SB (assuming the families in those units don't mind bussing up north) to make it happen.

I hadn't heard about the 100s of new units coming online in the south. DAMN the County Board. I really am starting to despise them.

The demographic data only takes into account currently enrolled APS students. There are two more affordable housing projects underway along the Pike that will be zoned Wakefield (not in PU's under consideration). It will mean hundreds of economically disadvantaged students (one project has something like 60 family-sized units; the other project, which is ONLY PHASE ONE OF FOUR AND THEY ALREADY OWN THE LAND, will be over one hundred family-sized units. I welcome them all to Arlington, but DAMN. It's probably not going to be the neighborhood they were hoping for either when they win the AH lottery and hear "Arlington." So please don't move all those kids away from W-L to Wakefield. 65% poverty was my estimate not including all the units already under construction or planned.