FCPS High School Poverty and Enrollment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think much of this has been a long troll.

Looking at Lewis numbers. The school is doing well. yes, it has high FARMs rates, but poverty is a reality and not an identity.

Graduation rate is relatively high. Scores are reasonable and IB participation seems fine. Id be OK with it going to AP, sure. But the 'oh poor lewis' tone in this thread is ridiculous.

Looks like a small portion of the hispanic pop needs some extra support but otherwise, the school is fine.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Edison HS, their larger and wealthier IB neighbor, has only 15% ELL versus 30% at Lewis and only 37% FARMs instead of 60% FARMs. Yet Lewis's IB pass rates are practically the same if not better considering the circumstances. Give or take, Lewis's college-bound kids do quite well.

I think PP hit the nail on the head that these kids are receiving a much better education than their parents that this school is not some gangland HS out of a movie.

The results take time, as in generations, but all in all, Lewis is doing exactly what it should be. Its actually somewhat of a success story IMO.

But isn't this essentially saying - hey, this school is primarily for non-English speakers who need just the basics; if you are an English speaker, you should seek out opportunities for advanced courses at other high schools. That certainly seems to be happening now as Black, Asian, and White numbers drop. I imagine the Department of Education could eventually find this defacto segregation as a problem if it was brought to their attention.

These boundaries were set long ago. The Dept of Education should realize what this administration has done to make the situation what it is.

This administration?? This has been years in the making.

Dramatic increase over the last three years in Hispanic students. Thousands more at county level. This is hard to absorb.

I’ve seen this as a talking point, but have never seen any data showing this to be the case.

DP. I've looked at some demographic data and over the past five years at the 25 high/secondary schools in FCPS, the growth in the Hispanic population was the highest of any racial or ethnic group at 18 of the 25 schools: Annandale, Centreville, Edison, Fairfax, Falls Church, Herndon, TJ, Justice, Lake Braddock, Lewis, Madison, Marshall, McLean, Mount Vernon, Robinson, South Lakes, West Potomac, and Westfield.

The net growth at the 25 high/secondary schools in the Hispanic population over the past five years was approximately 2325 students. Project that to FCPS as a whole and it's fair to say there are thousands more Hispanic students in FCPS over the past 3-5 years.

Over the same five-year period at the 25 high/secondary schools, the Black population was only up around 110 students, the Asian enrollment was down around 40 students, and the White enrollment was down about 1375 students.

So one issue for those who want to redistrict for demographic "balance" in FCPS is that they're chasing a flat or declining number of Asian and White students, while the Hispanic enrollment keeps increasing. Move White and Asian kids out of the schools preferred by their families, and that will accelerate the decline in the number of Asian and White kids in FCPS. Or, change the boundaries so the balance is "just right" tomorrow (recognizing boundary changes couldn't be done on expressly racial grounds) and in another decade you may be right back where you started.

You're assuming White and Asian families can pick up and leave at will. True for the top-tier upper middle class, but the average families living across most of FCPS who are overextended with mortgages are not going to afford private school any time soon. And they aren't "moving up" to Boston either because they're Feds or defense contractors stuck to this region. I know I'm making very large overgeneralizations here but it's quite clearly the story for a large chunk of MC and UMC families in the area.

So I don't see how they are a threat to FCPS enrollment.

White and Asian families are already leaving FCPS (and/or not being replaced), and that’s in the absence of any grandiose boundary changes. Redistrict in the name of “equity” and you’ll only see that trend accelerate. When they operate based on the same assumption you’re making (a captive student population) it always comes back to bite them in the ass.

Well, demographics would predict this--the Hispanic youth population is growing faster than the White and Asian population by far. It's not specific to FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

I think that military have the option of pupil placement if they live on base. Not sure if that option is available if you live off base. I think I read it on DCUM, so it must be true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

Why? Military kids just go to WSHS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

Why? Military kids just go to WSHS

Not the ones on Fort Belvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

Why? Military kids just go to WSHS

Not the ones on Fort Belvoir.

Through kids sports we know three families whose teens do. The parents joke about just how many carpool options their are between Belvoir and WSHS and Lake Braddock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these numbers really surprise me. Where are these families living?? This area has gotten so expensive.

In Mount Vernon, there are two trailer (mobile home) parks that feed into MVHS. We also have homeless shelters. Ft. Belvoir families are zoned for MVHS - enlisted soldiers are not high wage earners and some of our FARMS students may be military families. But the majority are most likely multiple families living together in both single family homes and apartments/townhouses/condos. We also have multiple apartment complexes and most of them are older, garden style apartments and not the new, expensive ones with fancy amenities. I don't know how the affordable housing works, but I do know families can rent at reduced rates. I looked and the apartment complex that is walking distance to the high school starts at $1500 a month. And it is one of the nicer apartment complexes in the 22309 zip code (the MV zip code.)

I cannot speak to the military at Fort Belvoir specifically, but I can speak generally. I taught in DOD schools. They historically have far fewer high school students than elementary because the parents begin retiring as the kids get older. And, FWIW, it is unlikely that there are many high school students from Fort Belvoir whose parents are in the lower enlisted ranks.
Also, I understand that military families are able to pupil place out to other schools. I am guessing that many choose this option.

All true.

I just looked at the school profiles for the 2 elementary schools located on Ft. Belvoir.

Their FARMS numbers significantly increased this past school year, from the upper teens to over 30% in both schools.

Knowing that those schools are amost completely lower level enlisted families, it is shocking to see a snapshot how much the terrible inflation of this administration has affected our enlisted troops.

Shameful.

In order for the two elementary schools on FT Belvoir to be FCPS schools, they have to pull some kids from off-post (Woodlawn) and when we were living in military housing on FT Belvoir several years ago, some of the housing areas outside the gate (Woodlawn) attended Woodlawn Elementary. So, the FARMS rates for the elementary schools on FT Belvoir may not be a direct correlation to the on post FARMS rates. Also, like others have said, military families are allowed to pupil place elsewhere, though this shows up the most in middle and high school.

- military veteran and spouse who has taught for both FCPS and DODEA

VDOE includes an option for military connected which means at least 1 parent is in the USA armed services. That excludes students who have a civilian parent or guardian who works on a base. It includes students whose parent might be in the Army, stationned at Ft Blvoir, and ives off base. So you can get disadvantaged for military connected and non military connected. 2022-23:
dis
military 77.99% - 24.49%
other 22.01% - 8.09%
1372 - 447
I think the Air Force is the branch that pays the most attention to local school districts. The Army should get into that IB issue at Mount Vernon.

Why? Military kids just go to WSHS

Not the ones on Fort Belvoir.

Through kids sports we know three families whose teens do. The parents joke about just how many carpool options their are between Belvoir and WSHS and Lake Braddock.

I find this link a little confusing, but it sounds like they can transfer to another school if they live on post:
https://www.fcps.edu/registration/student-transfer-information/resident-military-installation-student-transfer

[Anonymous]

I understand FCPS may just be following state or federal law with respect to allowing military families on base to transfer to other schools, but what is the policy rationale? It’s not like FCPS didn’t invest heavily in at least the elementary schools at Fort Belvoir.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand FCPS may just be following state or federal law with respect to allowing military families on base to transfer to other schools, but what is the policy rationale? It’s not like FCPS didn’t invest heavily in at least the elementary schools at Fort Belvoir.

Perhaps, military retiring, leaving family behind, or, otherwise refusing a transfer in some way-- instead of moving to a place with undesirable schools.

Probably doesn't affect that many high schools as most military kids are younger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand FCPS may just be following state or federal law with respect to allowing military families on base to transfer to other schools, but what is the policy rationale? It’s not like FCPS didn’t invest heavily in at least the elementary schools at Fort Belvoir.

Perhaps, military retiring, leaving family behind, or, otherwise refusing a transfer in some way-- instead of moving to a place with undesirable schools.

Probably doesn't affect that many high schools as most military kids are younger.

It seems specious to me, as opposed to trying to improve base schools. But I also don’t know the exact numbers availing of this special option within the county.

[Anonymous]

One interesting observation is that, even as folks discuss the issues at Lewis and Mount Vernon, two nearby schools, Edison and Hayfield, rack up student transfers.

This past year, 235 kids pupil placed into Hayfield, including 155 kids from Mount Vernon, 43 from Edison, 11 from West Potomac, and 10 from South County. 168 pupil placed into Edison, including 63 from Hayfield, 43 from Lewis, 19 from West Potomac, and 12 from Annandale.

Hayfield is AP and Edison is IB, so it's not merely people avoiding IB. And while each school has more affluent demographics than Lewis and Mount Vernon, neither is as affluent as some schools in southern Fairfax like Robinson, and the more expensive parts of West Potomac are more expensive than houses zoned for Hayfield and Edison as well.

It may be that, "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." But pupil placing places the burden on families to arrange transportation, so it requires some effort and sacrifice to pull off. Is there something that Edison and Hayfield are doing right that could be applied to Lewis and Mount Vernon, which in comparison attract fewer pupil placements (92 to Mount Vernon and only 13 to Lewis, although obviously each has capacity)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand FCPS may just be following state or federal law with respect to allowing military families on base to transfer to other schools, but what is the policy rationale? It’s not like FCPS didn’t invest heavily in at least the elementary schools at Fort Belvoir.

Perhaps, military retiring, leaving family behind, or, otherwise refusing a transfer in some way-- instead of moving to a place with undesirable schools.

Probably doesn't affect that many high schools as most military kids are younger.

It seems specious to me, as opposed to trying to improve base schools. But I also don’t know the exact numbers availing of this special option within the county.

I don't think there are as many military kids on post as you think. Most military kids live off post. (FYI, Army has "posts." AF has "bases." Army has "PX," AF has "BX."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One interesting observation is that, even as folks discuss the issues at Lewis and Mount Vernon, two nearby schools, Edison and Hayfield, rack up student transfers.

This past year, 235 kids pupil placed into Hayfield, including 155 kids from Mount Vernon, 43 from Edison, 11 from West Potomac, and 10 from South County. 168 pupil placed into Edison, including 63 from Hayfield, 43 from Lewis, 19 from West Potomac, and 12 from Annandale.

Hayfield is AP and Edison is IB, so it's not merely people avoiding IB. And while each school has more affluent demographics than Lewis and Mount Vernon, neither is as affluent as some schools in southern Fairfax like Robinson, and the more expensive parts of West Potomac are more expensive than houses zoned for Hayfield and Edison as well.

It may be that, "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." But pupil placing places the burden on families to arrange transportation, so it requires some effort and sacrifice to pull off. Is there something that Edison and Hayfield are doing right that could be applied to Lewis and Mount Vernon, which in comparison attract fewer pupil placements (92 to Mount Vernon and only 13 to Lewis, although obviously each has capacity)?

I think Hayfield and Edison have achieved a self-fulfilling cycle where they were perhaps the last two schools left in the southern/eastern part of FCPS that had decent enough test scores, so families in nearby pyramids that were able to transfer in did so and further sustained higher scores, and thus an ongoing cycle of wealthy families and strong students that now leave other pyramids for these two began.

Hayfield has some strong sports programs which is likely a draw as well. But by academic metrics, they are poorly performing schools given their size and relatively average-SES demographics. Hayfield for example was in the bottom 4 of FCPS schools for AP exam pass rate. I don't think there is anything uniquely special that Hayfield or Edison are doing on their own right, it's rather that they benefit by absorbing strong students from all neighboring pyramids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One interesting observation is that, even as folks discuss the issues at Lewis and Mount Vernon, two nearby schools, Edison and Hayfield, rack up student transfers.

This past year, 235 kids pupil placed into Hayfield, including 155 kids from Mount Vernon, 43 from Edison, 11 from West Potomac, and 10 from South County. 168 pupil placed into Edison, including 63 from Hayfield, 43 from Lewis, 19 from West Potomac, and 12 from Annandale.

Hayfield is AP and Edison is IB, so it's not merely people avoiding IB. And while each school has more affluent demographics than Lewis and Mount Vernon, neither is as affluent as some schools in southern Fairfax like Robinson, and the more expensive parts of West Potomac are more expensive than houses zoned for Hayfield and Edison as well.

It may be that, "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." But pupil placing places the burden on families to arrange transportation, so it requires some effort and sacrifice to pull off. Is there something that Edison and Hayfield are doing right that could be applied to Lewis and Mount Vernon, which in comparison attract fewer pupil placements (92 to Mount Vernon and only 13 to Lewis, although obviously each has capacity)?

Hayfield doesn't have the number of farms kids that West Po does. People get out to escape the rt 1 kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand FCPS may just be following state or federal law with respect to allowing military families on base to transfer to other schools, but what is the policy rationale? It’s not like FCPS didn’t invest heavily in at least the elementary schools at Fort Belvoir.

Perhaps, military retiring, leaving family behind, or, otherwise refusing a transfer in some way-- instead of moving to a place with undesirable schools.

Probably doesn't affect that many high schools as most military kids are younger.

It seems specious to me, as opposed to trying to improve base schools. But I also don’t know the exact numbers availing of this special option within the county.

If the Foreign Service kids get to attend $$$boarding schools on the taxpayer dime when their families obtain documentation that post schools are “inadequate,” then military kids should have at least some pupil placement options!