FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

Because FCPS funds are supposed to be for K12 education, NOT adult continuing education. That is what NOVA is for.

Fcps needs to drop the fluff that does not have anything to do with educating kids.

The only adult ed that fcps should be working on is adult ed for the several mentally handicapped students (which was on the cutting block this budget while fluff adult classes were untouched.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

Centerville and Chantilly are overcrowded. SLHS and Westfield are close to full. The only HS in the area with space is Herndon HS and that does not have enough space to handle the redistribution that would need to happen to relieve the other schools. And the boundary moves to shift kids from Westfield or SLHS, the two HS that are closer to Herndon, and then kids from Chantilly and Centerville to SLHS and Westfield are more disruptive in number then what would be needed to shift schools to the new HS and then backfill. And the new school could help end some of the split feeder problems that Carson has.

The redistricting plan involves putting kids onto busses to Oakton, which is a long commute. Fox Mill used to go to Oakton and I am amazed at how long that drive is the few times we have been at an event at Oakton from our house. And no one wants to be moved into SLHS because it is an IB program, which people are not interested in. Herndon would be closer than Oakton, so I am not sure why they are sending kids to Oakton other than the fact that most people don't want to be moved to a really high FARMs school.

When the kids were sent to Oakton, Oakton had the space and Herndon did not. But, Herndon is not close to that area at all.

They should open the new school with as many from the area as they can. There are two additional buildings that could be easily utilized. (60,000 square feet total additional space. I assume that is far more than the modulars at other schools.)

What you suggest would shift kids all over the place--and then you have the IB issue in addition.

They could move McNair to Herndon and that would fill Herndon but would not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly--or the commute to Westfield from Floris and Coates.

To send the kids currently going to Oakton to Herndon would put them driving through South Lakes and Westfield areas. And, the time would still be prohibitive.

And, if they really need to fill Herndon, there are kids that live just down the street that make the long drive to Langley.

Yes, seats could be filled at Herndon, but that does not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly, Westfield, and Centreville.

Chantilly and Westfield both have new construction, as well.

We are at Fox Mill, Herndon is further away the SLHS but not by that much. The Crossfield kids going to Oakton are not that far from us, Crossfield is a 5 minute drive from us. I know the boundaries go further away but I suspect the drive to Herndon would be less than the drive to Oakton for most of the kids.

I agree with you though, my post pretty much says that the boundary shifting without KAA as a neighborhood school would be crazy to try and balance out the schools to relieve overcrowding. And no one wants to go to SLHS because it is IB. I think there would be less resistance if SLHS was an AP program.

I just picked a street in Franklin Farm and google mapped it to Herndon and Oakton. It was actually five minute drive closer to Oakton. However, it is still too far. Imagine a 20 minute car drive on a school bus.
Herndon and Oakton are both too far, however, to exchange one long drive for a longer one would not fly if it were my child.

[Anonymous]

Fcps needs to drop the fluff that does not have anything to do with educating kids.

And, that means a normal high school. Maybe it would not be as large as we would like (I think it could be), but to open a magnet school and relieve the western schools by sending more kids on long bus rides to other schools that are full makes no sense.

If they can work it out, add an academy at a later date. Do we really have the funds for that now?

FCPS needs to wake up and smell the coffee. They need to educate as many kids as possible with the funds they have,

And, like it or not, they will almost certainly lose their lawsuit. Good for standing up for their values, but I value Title I more. So, they are penalizing them while defending the trans kids when it is a losing battle.

They need to figure out how to be compassionate and caring to all kids under the demands made. There have to be ways to do that other than insisting on defending the bathroom policy. I don't care about that, but I do care about the women's sports

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

Centerville and Chantilly are overcrowded. SLHS and Westfield are close to full. The only HS in the area with space is Herndon HS and that does not have enough space to handle the redistribution that would need to happen to relieve the other schools. And the boundary moves to shift kids from Westfield or SLHS, the two HS that are closer to Herndon, and then kids from Chantilly and Centerville to SLHS and Westfield are more disruptive in number then what would be needed to shift schools to the new HS and then backfill. And the new school could help end some of the split feeder problems that Carson has.

The redistricting plan involves putting kids onto busses to Oakton, which is a long commute. Fox Mill used to go to Oakton and I am amazed at how long that drive is the few times we have been at an event at Oakton from our house. And no one wants to be moved into SLHS because it is an IB program, which people are not interested in. Herndon would be closer than Oakton, so I am not sure why they are sending kids to Oakton other than the fact that most people don't want to be moved to a really high FARMs school.

When the kids were sent to Oakton, Oakton had the space and Herndon did not. But, Herndon is not close to that area at all.

They should open the new school with as many from the area as they can. There are two additional buildings that could be easily utilized. (60,000 square feet total additional space. I assume that is far more than the modulars at other schools.)

What you suggest would shift kids all over the place--and then you have the IB issue in addition.

They could move McNair to Herndon and that would fill Herndon but would not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly--or the commute to Westfield from Floris and Coates.

To send the kids currently going to Oakton to Herndon would put them driving through South Lakes and Westfield areas. And, the time would still be prohibitive.

And, if they really need to fill Herndon, there are kids that live just down the street that make the long drive to Langley.

Yes, seats could be filled at Herndon, but that does not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly, Westfield, and Centreville.

Chantilly and Westfield both have new construction, as well.

We are at Fox Mill, Herndon is further away the SLHS but not by that much. The Crossfield kids going to Oakton are not that far from us, Crossfield is a 5 minute drive from us. I know the boundaries go further away but I suspect the drive to Herndon would be less than the drive to Oakton for most of the kids.

I agree with you though, my post pretty much says that the boundary shifting without KAA as a neighborhood school would be crazy to try and balance out the schools to relieve overcrowding. And no one wants to go to SLHS because it is IB. I think there would be less resistance if SLHS was an AP program.

I just picked a street in Franklin Farm and google mapped it to Herndon and Oakton. It was actually five minute drive closer to Oakton. However, it is still too far. Imagine a 20 minute car drive on a school bus.
Herndon and Oakton are both too far, however, to exchange one long drive for a longer one would not fly if it were my child.

Franklin Farm is about 10 minutes from us so I can see it being 20 minutes to Herndon, I didn't realize that there would be a route to Oakton that would be about the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

Centerville and Chantilly are overcrowded. SLHS and Westfield are close to full. The only HS in the area with space is Herndon HS and that does not have enough space to handle the redistribution that would need to happen to relieve the other schools. And the boundary moves to shift kids from Westfield or SLHS, the two HS that are closer to Herndon, and then kids from Chantilly and Centerville to SLHS and Westfield are more disruptive in number then what would be needed to shift schools to the new HS and then backfill. And the new school could help end some of the split feeder problems that Carson has.

The redistricting plan involves putting kids onto busses to Oakton, which is a long commute. Fox Mill used to go to Oakton and I am amazed at how long that drive is the few times we have been at an event at Oakton from our house. And no one wants to be moved into SLHS because it is an IB program, which people are not interested in. Herndon would be closer than Oakton, so I am not sure why they are sending kids to Oakton other than the fact that most people don't want to be moved to a really high FARMs school.

When the kids were sent to Oakton, Oakton had the space and Herndon did not. But, Herndon is not close to that area at all.

They should open the new school with as many from the area as they can. There are two additional buildings that could be easily utilized. (60,000 square feet total additional space. I assume that is far more than the modulars at other schools.)

What you suggest would shift kids all over the place--and then you have the IB issue in addition.

They could move McNair to Herndon and that would fill Herndon but would not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly--or the commute to Westfield from Floris and Coates.

To send the kids currently going to Oakton to Herndon would put them driving through South Lakes and Westfield areas. And, the time would still be prohibitive.

And, if they really need to fill Herndon, there are kids that live just down the street that make the long drive to Langley.

Yes, seats could be filled at Herndon, but that does not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly, Westfield, and Centreville.

Chantilly and Westfield both have new construction, as well.

We are at Fox Mill, Herndon is further away the SLHS but not by that much. The Crossfield kids going to Oakton are not that far from us, Crossfield is a 5 minute drive from us. I know the boundaries go further away but I suspect the drive to Herndon would be less than the drive to Oakton for most of the kids.

I agree with you though, my post pretty much says that the boundary shifting without KAA as a neighborhood school would be crazy to try and balance out the schools to relieve overcrowding. And no one wants to go to SLHS because it is IB. I think there would be less resistance if SLHS was an AP program.

I just picked a street in Franklin Farm and google mapped it to Herndon and Oakton. It was actually five minute drive closer to Oakton. However, it is still too far. Imagine a 20 minute car drive on a school bus.
Herndon and Oakton are both too far, however, to exchange one long drive for a longer one would not fly if it were my child.

We clearly haven't been investing at schools or looking at boundaries based on an assumption that no kid can have more than a 20-minute commute to school.

Perhaps we should but that's not how they've done business and an enormous amount of money has been poured into Oakton, Herndon and other schools based on contrary assumptions.

But I guess you'll make up the rules as you go along to get the result you want. Meanwhile, other schools are neglected due to FCPS's incompetence and inconsistency. Sending a kid to FCPS these days feels less like relying on a well-managed school system and more like buying a lottery ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

Centerville and Chantilly are overcrowded. SLHS and Westfield are close to full. The only HS in the area with space is Herndon HS and that does not have enough space to handle the redistribution that would need to happen to relieve the other schools. And the boundary moves to shift kids from Westfield or SLHS, the two HS that are closer to Herndon, and then kids from Chantilly and Centerville to SLHS and Westfield are more disruptive in number then what would be needed to shift schools to the new HS and then backfill. And the new school could help end some of the split feeder problems that Carson has.

The redistricting plan involves putting kids onto busses to Oakton, which is a long commute. Fox Mill used to go to Oakton and I am amazed at how long that drive is the few times we have been at an event at Oakton from our house. And no one wants to be moved into SLHS because it is an IB program, which people are not interested in. Herndon would be closer than Oakton, so I am not sure why they are sending kids to Oakton other than the fact that most people don't want to be moved to a really high FARMs school.

When the kids were sent to Oakton, Oakton had the space and Herndon did not. But, Herndon is not close to that area at all.

They should open the new school with as many from the area as they can. There are two additional buildings that could be easily utilized. (60,000 square feet total additional space. I assume that is far more than the modulars at other schools.)

What you suggest would shift kids all over the place--and then you have the IB issue in addition.

They could move McNair to Herndon and that would fill Herndon but would not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly--or the commute to Westfield from Floris and Coates.

To send the kids currently going to Oakton to Herndon would put them driving through South Lakes and Westfield areas. And, the time would still be prohibitive.

And, if they really need to fill Herndon, there are kids that live just down the street that make the long drive to Langley.

Yes, seats could be filled at Herndon, but that does not solve the overcrowding at Chantilly, Westfield, and Centreville.

Chantilly and Westfield both have new construction, as well.

We are at Fox Mill, Herndon is further away the SLHS but not by that much. The Crossfield kids going to Oakton are not that far from us, Crossfield is a 5 minute drive from us. I know the boundaries go further away but I suspect the drive to Herndon would be less than the drive to Oakton for most of the kids.

I agree with you though, my post pretty much says that the boundary shifting without KAA as a neighborhood school would be crazy to try and balance out the schools to relieve overcrowding. And no one wants to go to SLHS because it is IB. I think there would be less resistance if SLHS was an AP program.

I just picked a street in Franklin Farm and google mapped it to Herndon and Oakton. It was actually five minute drive closer to Oakton. However, it is still too far. Imagine a 20 minute car drive on a school bus.
Herndon and Oakton are both too far, however, to exchange one long drive for a longer one would not fly if it were my child.

We clearly haven't been investing at schools or looking at boundaries based on an assumption that no kid can have more than a 20-minute commute to school.

Perhaps we should but that's not how they've done business and an enormous amount of money has been poured into Oakton, Herndon and other schools based on contrary assumptions.

But I guess you'll make up the rules as you go along to get the result you want. Meanwhile, other schools are neglected due to FCPS's incompetence and inconsistency. Sending a kid to FCPS these days feels less like relying on a well-managed school system and more like buying a lottery ticket.

Which schools?
And, you do realize a 20 minute drive is likely a 40 minute plus bus ride when you consider the stops? And, many kids do not have parents who can take an hour or two out of their day to allow their kids to do after school activities. And, the schools are overcrowded already. Why do you think Frisch thought it would be good to have a traditional school? And Dixit? Likely because their constituents are the ones that would/could be affected. Frisch has to know that Oakton will soon have an overcrowding problem. Dixit has problems in Chantilly, Westfield, and Centreville that certainly cannot be solved with a magnet no matter what creative pipe dream Reid has.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reid is from the Seattle area where she knows all about the successful aviation high school there. I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. Some parents here have pointed out that that specialized magnet school is only about 400 students however.

And, she came into that work session expecting that the SB would go with one of her ideas. Nothing presented that day was well developed. Not a traditional school. Not a magnet. Not academies. Nothing. Spaghetti at the wall.

Still trying to figure out the idea of a Magnet for Western schools and how that would solve overcrowding. You know what it would do--assuming it would not be illegal?

It would draw the smartest kids from Chantilly and Westfield and Centreville. Also, Herndon and South Lakes--but they don't need relief from overcrowding.

What could go wrong?

Drawing the smartest kids out of surrounding schools does them a disservice. If South Lakes kids go there then there will be even fewer kids to justify offering any of the advanced IB classes. It would also bring down average scores at all the other schools if kids from the top are pulled away to a magnet.

[Anonymous]

Who are the people on here complaining about high school kids having 20 minute bus rides? Holy snowflakes what has society become?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reid is from the Seattle area where she knows all about the successful aviation high school there. I’m sure that has a lot to do with it. Some parents here have pointed out that that specialized magnet school is only about 400 students however.

And, she came into that work session expecting that the SB would go with one of her ideas. Nothing presented that day was well developed. Not a traditional school. Not a magnet. Not academies. Nothing. Spaghetti at the wall.

Still trying to figure out the idea of a Magnet for Western schools and how that would solve overcrowding. You know what it would do--assuming it would not be illegal?

It would draw the smartest kids from Chantilly and Westfield and Centreville. Also, Herndon and South Lakes--but they don't need relief from overcrowding.

What could go wrong?

Drawing the smartest kids out of surrounding schools does them a disservice. If South Lakes kids go there then there will be even fewer kids to justify offering any of the advanced IB classes. It would also bring down average scores at all the other schools if kids from the top are pulled away to a magnet.

This has been an argument against TJ since...it was founded I think.

Counterpoint: having good academic options brings the kinds of families who are likely to bolster test scores to the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

There is literally a community center that is walking distance from this area. Nice try lady who clearly doesn't live here. But also, who uses Next Door? Is it all 70 year olds posting their great ideas about something that has zero impact on them???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on Next Door had the idea that this building could be a great community and adult learning center. It certainly doesn’t sound like a traditional high school and why rip it apart to turn it into something it’s not?

There is literally a community center that is walking distance from this area. Nice try lady who clearly doesn't live here. But also, who uses Next Door? Is it all 70 year olds posting their great ideas about something that has zero impact on them???

The ND lady with the suggestion lives in the Fox Mill area. No idea how old she is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are the people on here complaining about high school kids having 20 minute bus rides? Holy snowflakes what has society become?

They want a new fancy school of their own so they’ve reverse engineered various criteria to make other schools unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who are the people on here complaining about high school kids having 20 minute bus rides? Holy snowflakes what has society become?

They want a new fancy school of their own so they’ve reverse engineered various criteria to make other schools unacceptable.

Have you ridden a school bus lately. I haven't. However, I do know that a 20 minute car ride does not translate to a 20 minute bus ride. But, I suspect you know that, too. In fact, it is pretty much double that. Add into that the additional stops and it is probably longer.

Now, say you are a working parent and your kid wants to participate in afterschool activities. Are you able to give up an hour a day to transport your child? You may if you only have one child. If not. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who are the people on here complaining about high school kids having 20 minute bus rides? Holy snowflakes what has society become?

I believe they were saying it's 20 minutes in Google maps with no stops and no traffic. That's a 40+ minute bus ride each way, easy. I know my kid's bus ride to Hunters Woods and to Rachel Carson were 40-45 minutes each way. Pretty much impossible to do extracurriculars or sports if the parents aren't lucky enough to have flexibility in their work schedule to pick them up early at school on practice days instead of waiting for the bus drop off. Can't do anything about the 6:25am bus pick up time though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who are the people on here complaining about high school kids having 20 minute bus rides? Holy snowflakes what has society become?

I believe they were saying it's 20 minutes in Google maps with no stops and no traffic. That's a 40+ minute bus ride each way, easy. I know my kid's bus ride to Hunters Woods and to Rachel Carson were 40-45 minutes each way. Pretty much impossible to do extracurriculars or sports if the parents aren't lucky enough to have flexibility in their work schedule to pick them up early at school on practice days instead of waiting for the bus drop off. Can't do anything about the 6:25am bus pick up time though.

Why is Hunter Wood kid goes to Carson? Hunter Wood goes to Hughes.

Anyway, sending kids south of 267 to Herndon HS is madness. The toll road crossings are jammed during rush hours.