FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO, they should eliminate all AAP centers and all split feeders. Make each school a neighborhood school. Have AP in all schools. Changing boundaries shouldn’t even be a discussion until those things are complete.

I’ve HEARD through various channels that there are a few advocacy groups that are influential in keeping the AAP centers going. Fairfax County Association for the Gifted was one. They won’t be eliminated any time soon. It seems like the hope right now is getting LLIV into all schools, pushing for kids to stay at their local schools, and then maybe, eventually, 10-15+ years into the future, reducing the number of ES AAP centers. MS AAP may be eliminated sooner if the amount of honors classes increases.

There is absolutely no need for MS AAP. They need regular classes and honors classes and that's it. Middle school AAP is completely unnecessary.

Huh? Did you compare the course work and know this definitively? It isn’t what parents are told about the classes. So how do you know it is “exactly the same”

[Anonymous]

I was just thinking last night about how disruptive the superintendent/school board's timeline is. My understanding is that they are potentially coming out with changes this spring to implement in the fall. Kids are choosing classes and meeting deadlines NOW. Moving kids to a different school in April means they are losing out on available electives, not having time to choose APs, not having time to try to pupil place at a different school if their APs/electives aren't offered at the new school. Even at the middle school level, which I've been less concerned about, they are doing middle school visits now, auditioning for band and orchestra placement, starting to readjust friend groups at split feeders to reflect which school kids go to.

Just really stinks all around. They should be required to let families know before winter break the year before they make any changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO, they should eliminate all AAP centers and all split feeders. Make each school a neighborhood school. Have AP in all schools. Changing boundaries shouldn’t even be a discussion until those things are complete.

I’ve HEARD through various channels that there are a few advocacy groups that are influential in keeping the AAP centers going. Fairfax County Association for the Gifted was one. They won’t be eliminated any time soon. It seems like the hope right now is getting LLIV into all schools, pushing for kids to stay at their local schools, and then maybe, eventually, 10-15+ years into the future, reducing the number of ES AAP centers. MS AAP may be eliminated sooner if the amount of honors classes increases.

Excellent! FCPS absolutely needs the centers to stay open in order to provide strong cohorts of advanced students for those who need it.

You do not need centers to have a good cohort of advanced students. If you need centers, go back to the GT program. AAP is not that.

Yes centers are needed. Most schools do not have enough kids to qualify as advanced to make a solid cohort and definitely not enough to make up a class without inviting other non advanced students to make up the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking last night about how disruptive the superintendent/school board's timeline is. My understanding is that they are potentially coming out with changes this spring to implement in the fall. Kids are choosing classes and meeting deadlines NOW. Moving kids to a different school in April means they are losing out on available electives, not having time to choose APs, not having time to try to pupil place at a different school if their APs/electives aren't offered at the new school. Even at the middle school level, which I've been less concerned about, they are doing middle school visits now, auditioning for band and orchestra placement, starting to readjust friend groups at split feeders to reflect which school kids go to.

Just really stinks all around. They should be required to let families know before winter break the year before they make any changes.

I’m adamantly against boundary changes, but I believe they are looking to implement in Fall of 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

[Anonymous]

Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

If the all Democratic school board is going to sabotage my family’s choice of school pyramid, then I’ll happily support the alternative party that defunds public schools to give me more money when I send my kids elsewhere.

It’s the adult version of taking my ball and going home. Thing is, the Dems absolutely need families like mine to make public schools work, and we are the exact families that they are targeting with the boundary changes.

[Anonymous]

Some people here think very highly of themselves. Maybe a superiority complex. It just comes off like that. I hope I am wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

This would raise the FARMS rate at South County. They will likely fight that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

But this does nothing to improve Lewis. What else can Lewis draw from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foe thise that keep repeating they left the Dem party because of boundaries, or are staunch repub and against "equity ".....i really belive you'll be shocked at the outcomes. Dems might care a little bit about your feelings and the fact that you bought your house for a school, but repubs will be ruthless and make it painful for all. Will say that a few years of pain is worth it to right size everything.
Translation = don't care about you or your house value or why you bought your house, and don't even think about grandfathering. Will really just look at numbers and cut and move students to course correct.

Signed,
An independent that sees false grandstanding on both sides of the political spectrum

If the all Democratic school board is going to sabotage my family’s choice of school pyramid, then I’ll happily support the alternative party that defunds public schools to give me more money when I send my kids elsewhere.

It’s the adult version of taking my ball and going home. Thing is, the Dems absolutely need families like mine to make public schools work, and we are the exact families that they are targeting with the boundary changes.

Righ, take your ball and go home....and find out you'll get $100 per kid as a voucher. Good luck with the wishful thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

Also, what area of SoCo currently has ESL/FARMS kids? The Hagel Circle attendance island? The area of Silverbrook with condos right off of Lorton Road? It’s certainly not Crosspointe, Fairfax Station or Mason Neck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the posts on this thread are from Langley families not wanting to be redistricted to Herndon or West Springfield families not wanting to be redistricted to Lewis.

They are prepared to throw the School Board a bone in the form of redistricting OTHER families in split feeders and attendance islands.

Those families may or may not want to be redistricted, or in some cases moving those families could weaken schools.

They should not move kids just so they can declare their boundary study a success while placating the noisiest parents from Langley and West Springfield.

I think rezoning kids in split feeders and attendance islands from West Springfield HS to equally desirable Lake Braddock is very different from what you are describing.

There is so much community overlap between LBSS and WSHS, and the schools are virtually equal in quality, rigor, facilities, sports, activities and academic programs.

It would not "weaken" either school, and it would benefit the Sangster families in that one neighborhood that goes to WSHS, as well as the one far off attendance island neighborhood that passes several elementary schools to get to Keene Mill, bringing it closer to both the elementary school, but also the middle and high school.

Advocating for that as a solution to avoid unwanted rezoning is not even a little bit of what you are implying.

It would be a non controversial rezoning that addresses WSHS capacity, closes split feeders and attendance islands, keeps kids in their communities and friend groups, gives families a truly equivalent school experience , and does not impact property values at all.

These are good points and if parents in those islands would happily move over to LBSS there is no reason not to clean up those boundaries.

Other situations may pose different issues, and people should pay attention. Because others may see themselves offered up against their will by people looking to throw the School Board members an opportunity to save face (while looking to avoid being redistricted themselves).

Like the hypocrite who is on BRAC and is on record being in favor of equity redistricting as long as it is not her kids?

Did I mention she’s a hypocrite?

Also, I wonder if the board is going to move Sandy Anderson’s kids or Kyle McDaniel’s? I won’t hold my breath.

This is the question that needs to be asked. How exactly will any proposed changes impact SB members' zoned schools or property values?

Isn’t Sandy zoned for Silverbrook/South County? Interesting to see if there are any proposals to move the Route 1 corridor area of Lorton from Hayfield to South County.

Anderson might have the ulterior motive of moving Hunt Valley to SoCo, not to Lewis as some on this board keep insisting is the plan. That would benefit SoCo, and in tbe end improve the housing value of homes zoned for SoCo. It is a much more likely scenario than moving low income, ESL Route 1 families to SoCo, as school board members are known to rezone neighborhoods to improve their own school rankings and home values.

Also, what area of SoCo currently has ESL/FARMS kids? The Hagel Circle attendance island? The area of Silverbrook with condos right off of Lorton Road? It’s certainly not Crosspointe, Fairfax Station or Mason Neck.

Yes, the Hagel Circle attendance island and some of those condos off Silverbrook. There’s also a small section of public housing off Southrun zoned for Newington Forest and a lot of small townhomes nearby used as rentals.

If they moved all of Gunston to South County that would up the FARMS rate at SC. Most of the high FARMS neighborhoods at Gunston right now are going to Hayfield. SC could probably absorb all of Gunston without having to move kids out due to overcrowding. However this move leaves Hayfield under enrolled even more than it currently is. But if you think a bunch of housing is going to come online zoned for Edison eventually, the boundaries between Hayfield/Edison/Lewis/MV/WestPo - basically all the schools east of 95 and outside the Beltway - will need to be shifted because Edison can’t absorb any more students and can’t expand on its tiny site. But AFAIK they haven’t broke ground on anything over there yet and FCPS doesn’t consider new housing in the projections until construction actually starts.