Reason to transfer school in APS?
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Anonymous
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We live south of Rt 50 in Arlington and we love it. I have been reading threads for a while and I have noticed there have been a lot of conversations about the number of ESL children who have entered school in Arlington and Alexandria. I thought I saw somewhere that in Del Ray, the Mount Vernon school had so many ESL students that the school was a de facto immersion school. While I think immersion could be nice, I don't know that I want my DC to be the only English as a first language child in the kindergarten, so that the classes are really geared more for making ESL students literate in both, vice teaching just to one group's advantage. So, if something like that were about to happen, is it possible to ask for a transfer to another school? We're a few years away from school, but I am curious. I assume that the situation will not be that extreme.
I did see this article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-fairfax-county-kindergarten-classes-school-systems-future-comes-into-focus/2014/06/28/1ced10d2-f25e-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html But I want to know is this something I should be worried about? Or is it a non-issue? |
Anonymous
| Without knowing what school you're zoned for, it's really hard to have a sense of what the risk is. As for transferring, you can apply to the choice schools, but obviously there's no guarantee you'll get into any of them. For other transfers, because most elementary schools in APS are already overcrowded, APS has severely limited transfers (and "Don't want my kid going to school with so many spanish-speaking kids" isn't going to be a compelling reason). You might be able to transfer to a school that's undercapacity, but you'll have to provide your own transportation. |
Anonymous
You're right that a lot of the "immersion" schools are really just a fig leaf to teach immigrants in their native language. They can't force you to attend an immersion school, but you'll usually only be given one alternative. You can't say, "Hey, gee, no immersion for me. Enroll my kid in Discovery." |
Anonymous
| We are zoned for Barcroft. |
Anonymous
Incorrect. The immersion schools are just as much about teaching English-as-a-first-language kids Spanish. They do a great job at that - the kids are coming out with Spanish proficiency. We were extremely happy with our immersion school. |
Anonymous
That's actually really great to hear. We're just concerned that we'll be at a disadvantage because we don't speak the language at home. Especially if we end up being in the extreme minority. |
Anonymous
+1 Please don't let the few folks who rant on here about MVCS (and who don't have kids at the school) scare you about dual language/immersion programs. MVCS is a dual language school by choice - the community chose that years ago by an overwhelming vote - it is not something that just happened. Yes, in part the reason for making the initial proposal was that there were and a large number of native Spanish speakers (or ESL students) at the school, but the native English speaking families (SSL students!) chose it too. Learning a second language early in life, regardless of reason the program was proposed, helps neurological development. Our children attended and still attend MVCS. We do not speak Spanish at home (the kids make fun of our accents when we try) and it has never been a problem. Our kids can read, write, and speak both languages and have done very well in school and on the various standardized tests. They are also part of a lovely and supportive community that *gasp* includes really wonderful kids whose first language was Spanish as well as kids whose first language was English. If you are concerned about your school, reach out to parents of current students and get to know the school that way. |
Anonymous
Well, and the dual immersion schools (Key and Claremont) have a very specific language-teaching approach, where half the day is taught in Spanish and half the day is taught in English. It's not the same thing as a non-immersion school that happens to have a high number of ESL kids. If you want a language-immersion experience, you want to seek out Key or Claremont (depending on which you're zoned for). I can't speak to what it's like in a non-immersion school with a high number of ESL kids. |
Anonymous
| You won't be able to transfer; the elementary schools are all overcrowded. |
Anonymous
In Del Ray, do you mean MVCS? That isn't a de facto immersion school, it IS an immersion school and the school is very clear about that. So maybe you should believe everything you read on the internet..... |
Anonymous
Except Jamestown and Discovery. Some Jamestown families that were supposed to move transferred back to their original school. I know of a S Arl family sending their kid to Discovery, too. |
Anonymous
Also, del Ray is not in Arlington... Not really what we are talking about here |
Anonymous
That S. Arl. family is only sending their kid to Discovery if they're lying about their address, because there are no S. Arl. schools that can transfer to Discovery. |
Anonymous
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"Any neighborhood elementary school that is not projected to reach 95% of its capacity within
the next three years may exceed the five percent transfer limit, but only from schools at or projected to reach 95% of capacity within the next three years." APS policy Supposedly it is a loophole. The parents have to provide transportation for their student, but APS can't deny transfer from an overcrowded school to one that is under capacity if the above qualifications are met. I actually think that's a good thing. |
Anonymous
I'm betting they didn't have to lie at all. The county can feel the pressure coming down from parents on the south side. They don't want their agenda being upended. Of course they are going to get these kids into " choice" or under capacity neighborhood schools. They want the middle class parents to stfu. That's one way to do it. |