What do you expect from APS staff (option/neighborhood) on 4/30?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about how moving the option schools would work. Full disclosure: not in any of the potential schools being considered and unlikely to apply got any choice programs.

1) If key and ASFS become neighborhood— the current ASFS kids who are below a certain grade since this may happen in 2021 would move to Key most likely (if currently in bounds for key). The younger kids who are in the walk zone for ASFS but currently attend Taylor would move over to ASFS.

2). If the key immersion moved to say Barcroft or Carlin spring then the current K and 1st graders currently enrolled would have to move to the Barcroft or CS location. Since it’s immersion wouldn’t all of APS kids be allowed to apply? How does help the displaced neighborhood kids? Also, how does it work for siblings? So, let’s say the entire key immersion program is moved in 2021 to a s.arlington location. Then presumably the current immersion students would have to decide whether to move or not to the new location. Then they would hold a lottery for all remaining openings. Well, I have a k and a 2nd grader but wouldn’t send kids to two different elementary schools. So this just sounds really complicated. I seriously do not envy everyone who has to handle all of the admin stuff.

How are they going to balance all this enrollment given that they don’t know how all the people will decide with the various option programs and then the change in locations. This is a sincere question.

ASFS will likely be split up. The families living the current boundary (majority of school) would likely go to the new Key. The families there from Cherrydale will likely stay.

What about all of the planning units in Lyon Village and Virginia Square currently in the Taylor boundary?

I think all of Lyon Village (including current Taylor half) would end up zoned to new Key, if they stick w the walk maps. I have to think that would end up pushing out some units at the southern or eastern edges of the current Key/ASFS boundary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about how moving the option schools would work. Full disclosure: not in any of the potential schools being considered and unlikely to apply got any choice programs.

1) If key and ASFS become neighborhood— the current ASFS kids who are below a certain grade since this may happen in 2021 would move to Key most likely (if currently in bounds for key). The younger kids who are in the walk zone for ASFS but currently attend Taylor would move over to ASFS.

2). If the key immersion moved to say Barcroft or Carlin spring then the current K and 1st graders currently enrolled would have to move to the Barcroft or CS location. Since it’s immersion wouldn’t all of APS kids be allowed to apply? How does help the displaced neighborhood kids? Also, how does it work for siblings? So, let’s say the entire key immersion program is moved in 2021 to a s.arlington location. Then presumably the current immersion students would have to decide whether to move or not to the new location. Then they would hold a lottery for all remaining openings. Well, I have a k and a 2nd grader but wouldn’t send kids to two different elementary schools. So this just sounds really complicated. I seriously do not envy everyone who has to handle all of the admin stuff.

How are they going to balance all this enrollment given that they don’t know how all the people will decide with the various option programs and then the change in locations. This is a sincere question.

ASFS will likely be split up. The families living the current boundary (majority of school) would likely go to the new Key. The families there from Cherrydale will likely stay.

What about all of the planning units in Lyon Village and Virginia Square currently in the Taylor boundary?

I think all of Lyon Village (including current Taylor half) would end up zoned to new Key, if they stick w the walk maps. I have to think that would end up pushing out some units at the southern or eastern edges of the current Key/ASFS boundary.

Yes, I think this right if they follow the walk maps. Hopefully they would pull the southwestern corner of current Key zone (SW of Fairfax drive) into new ASFS so that school has a bit of diversity and Rosslyn isn’t sent to Taylor. If this actually happens, that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about how moving the option schools would work. Full disclosure: not in any of the potential schools being considered and unlikely to apply got any choice programs.

1) If key and ASFS become neighborhood— the current ASFS kids who are below a certain grade since this may happen in 2021 would move to Key most likely (if currently in bounds for key). The younger kids who are in the walk zone for ASFS but currently attend Taylor would move over to ASFS.

2). If the key immersion moved to say Barcroft or Carlin spring then the current K and 1st graders currently enrolled would have to move to the Barcroft or CS location. Since it’s immersion wouldn’t all of APS kids be allowed to apply? How does help the displaced neighborhood kids? Also, how does it work for siblings? So, let’s say the entire key immersion program is moved in 2021 to a s.arlington location. Then presumably the current immersion students would have to decide whether to move or not to the new location. Then they would hold a lottery for all remaining openings. Well, I have a k and a 2nd grader but wouldn’t send kids to two different elementary schools. So this just sounds really complicated. I seriously do not envy everyone who has to handle all of the admin stuff.

How are they going to balance all this enrollment given that they don’t know how all the people will decide with the various option programs and then the change in locations. This is a sincere question.

ASFS will likely be split up. The families living the current boundary (majority of school) would likely go to the new Key. The families there from Cherrydale will likely stay.

I'm not sure I un

Yes, that part isn’t the confusing part. I meant the rest of moving the option programs at once to new locations.

I'm not sure I understand your confusion-- but, right now people apply to Key. If Key moves (or any other option school for that matter) the currently enrolled students will have a choice, either move iwth the school or return to their neighborhood schools. I would imagine that when this move happens their will be waitlist movement as well, b/c some families will decide not to move.

As a side note - At least on the English-dominant side, for grades past first or second, it will be difficult to fill any seats from Key that are left open by students who choose not to stay with the program at its new location. Kids entering the program at that late stage need to have fairly high proficiency in Spanish and are required to test into the program (as opposed to simply filling a seat via lottery). I imagine this is one of the concerns for families who don’t want the immersion program undermined by a relocation.

I know we knock Staff, but I’m guessing they know these programs might have kids leave with the moves. And that there will be some bumps with all these transitions. The question is long term are these the right places for these schools. I too worry that you could see lots of folks go back to their neighborhood schools and see those still overcrowded even with two new schools opening. And kids who have put in the work at an immersion school see that experience Eros with kids leaving. Staff will need to address plans for both.

And if there is no option school in the NW how you fill those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always interesting to look at the data. Over twice as many kids in South Arlington schools transfer out of their home school than North. And the top three feeders to ATS are from the schools closest to ATS. I’d like to see more of the options in South Arlington to strategically break up pockets of extreme ED and drive socioeconomic diversity. By having the options closer together, it may be possible to share buses so that buses pick up at fewer stops, then drop off at more than one school (could stagger start times).

Carlin Springs - new home for Claremont Immersion (2nd largest number of transfers out countywide, open larger building that is highly walkable and use less walkable building for option)
ATS - new home for Key Immersion (closer to Spanish speakers, more central, less walkable)
Campbell - EL
Barcroft - new home for ATS (3rd highest transfers out in county, brings a high-performing school South and may be more convenient for SA families)
Henry - new Montessori (although, perhaps put these seats at Nottingham and let the Career Center tear down the Henry building to make better use of that land for a high school)

Net-net, this would move one additional option south, but that suppports the numbers. More Souty Arlington families are choicing out of their schools, so stop fighting it and give SA more conveniently located choice schools.

Transfers:

SOUTH
Abington 413
Barcroft 297
Carlin Springs 352
Drew 107
Henry 115
Hoffman Boston 100
Oakridge 204
Randolph 160
TOTAL: 1748

NORTH
Ashlawn 122 (54 to ATS)
Barrett 108
Discovery 70
Glebe 109 (41 to ATS)
Jamestown 70
Long Branch 169
McKinley 106 (47 to ATS)
Nottingham 54
Tuckahoe 39
Taylor 225 - 105 (Sci Foc)
TOTAL: 897

Note: Not including Key with 569 because that is people who select Science Focus, effectively their neighborhood school.

Source: APS Transfer Report - https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Transfer-Report-2016-17.pdf

Exactly.
People aren’t understanding that umc families can’t just solve this problem by enrolling at some of these neighborhood schools as they are now. We can’t have it both ways. Either we focus on diversity or EXTRME
Convenience. Barcroft kids WILLNhave a neighborhood school. It will just be a different one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always interesting to look at the data. Over twice as many kids in South Arlington schools transfer out of their home school than North. And the top three feeders to ATS are from the schools closest to ATS. I’d like to see more of the options in South Arlington to strategically break up pockets of extreme ED and drive socioeconomic diversity. By having the options closer together, it may be possible to share buses so that buses pick up at fewer stops, then drop off at more than one school (could stagger start times).

Carlin Springs - new home for Claremont Immersion (2nd largest number of transfers out countywide, open larger building that is highly walkable and use less walkable building for option)
ATS - new home for Key Immersion (closer to Spanish speakers, more central, less walkable)
Campbell - EL
Barcroft - new home for ATS (3rd highest transfers out in county, brings a high-performing school South and may be more convenient for SA families)
Henry - new Montessori (although, perhaps put these seats at Nottingham and let the Career Center tear down the Henry building to make better use of that land for a high school)

Net-net, this would move one additional option south, but that suppports the numbers. More Souty Arlington families are choicing out of their schools, so stop fighting it and give SA more conveniently located choice schools.

Transfers:

SOUTH
Abington 413
Barcroft 297
Carlin Springs 352
Drew 107
Henry 115
Hoffman Boston 100
Oakridge 204
Randolph 160
TOTAL: 1748

NORTH
Ashlawn 122 (54 to ATS)
Barrett 108
Discovery 70
Glebe 109 (41 to ATS)
Jamestown 70
Long Branch 169
McKinley 106 (47 to ATS)
Nottingham 54
Tuckahoe 39
Taylor 225 - 105 (Sci Foc)
TOTAL: 897

Note: Not including Key with 569 because that is people who select Science Focus, effectively their neighborhood school.

Source: APS Transfer Report - https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Transfer-Report-2016-17.pdf

Henry/Montessori to Nottingham? Seems unlikely and the 4th HS raised the question of where Montessori would move if the cc land was redeveloped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always interesting to look at the data. Over twice as many kids in South Arlington schools transfer out of their home school than North. And the top three feeders to ATS are from the schools closest to ATS. I’d like to see more of the options in South Arlington to strategically break up pockets of extreme ED and drive socioeconomic diversity. By having the options closer together, it may be possible to share buses so that buses pick up at fewer stops, then drop off at more than one school (could stagger start times).

Carlin Springs - new home for Claremont Immersion (2nd largest number of transfers out countywide, open larger building that is highly walkable and use less walkable building for option)
ATS - new home for Key Immersion (closer to Spanish speakers, more central, less walkable)
Campbell - EL
Barcroft - new home for ATS (3rd highest transfers out in county, brings a high-performing school South and may be more convenient for SA families)
Henry - new Montessori (although, perhaps put these seats at Nottingham and let the Career Center tear down the Henry building to make better use of that land for a high school)

Net-net, this would move one additional option south, but that suppports the numbers. More Souty Arlington families are choicing out of their schools, so stop fighting it and give SA more conveniently located choice schools.

Transfers:

SOUTH
Abington 413
Barcroft 297
Carlin Springs 352
Drew 107
Henry 115
Hoffman Boston 100
Oakridge 204
Randolph 160
TOTAL: 1748

NORTH
Ashlawn 122 (54 to ATS)
Barrett 108
Discovery 70
Glebe 109 (41 to ATS)
Jamestown 70
Long Branch 169
McKinley 106 (47 to ATS)
Nottingham 54
Tuckahoe 39
Taylor 225 - 105 (Sci Foc)
TOTAL: 897

Note: Not including Key with 569 because that is people who select Science Focus, effectively their neighborhood school.

Source: APS Transfer Report - https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Transfer-Report-2016-17.pdf

Henry/Montessori to Nottingham? Seems unlikely and the 4th HS raised the question of where Montessori would move if the cc land was redeveloped.

Numbers poster here. I agree with your, but throwing the Nottingham idea out of people feel strongly about the need to put an option school in NW. I think if we make the option schools more convenient, we will have better diversity and may be able to raise overall perform and outcomes for more kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always interesting to look at the data. Over twice as many kids in South Arlington schools transfer out of their home school than North. And the top three feeders to ATS are from the schools closest to ATS. I’d like to see more of the options in South Arlington to strategically break up pockets of extreme ED and drive socioeconomic diversity. By having the options closer together, it may be possible to share buses so that buses pick up at fewer stops, then drop off at more than one school (could stagger start times).

Carlin Springs - new home for Claremont Immersion (2nd largest number of transfers out countywide, open larger building that is highly walkable and use less walkable building for option)
ATS - new home for Key Immersion (closer to Spanish speakers, more central, less walkable)
Campbell - EL
Barcroft - new home for ATS (3rd highest transfers out in county, brings a high-performing school South and may be more convenient for SA families)
Henry - new Montessori (although, perhaps put these seats at Nottingham and let the Career Center tear down the Henry building to make better use of that land for a high school)

Net-net, this would move one additional option south, but that suppports the numbers. More Souty Arlington families are choicing out of their schools, so stop fighting it and give SA more conveniently located choice schools.

Transfers:

SOUTH
Abington 413
Barcroft 297
Carlin Springs 352
Drew 107
Henry 115
Hoffman Boston 100
Oakridge 204
Randolph 160
TOTAL: 1748

NORTH
Ashlawn 122 (54 to ATS)
Barrett 108
Discovery 70
Glebe 109 (41 to ATS)
Jamestown 70
Long Branch 169
McKinley 106 (47 to ATS)
Nottingham 54
Tuckahoe 39
Taylor 225 - 105 (Sci Foc)
TOTAL: 897

Note: Not including Key with 569 because that is people who select Science Focus, effectively their neighborhood school.

Source: APS Transfer Report - https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Transfer-Report-2016-17.pdf

Henry/Montessori to Nottingham? Seems unlikely and the 4th HS raised the question of where Montessori would move if the cc land was redeveloped.

SB committed last year that Henry would be the Montessori site. That may end up changing as they make HS decisions in a few years, but it's strongly unlikely that they'd take Montessori away from the Henry location in this process.

[Anonymous]

Argh - typos - “you” and “if”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about how moving the option schools would work. Full disclosure: not in any of the potential schools being considered and unlikely to apply got any choice programs.

1) If key and ASFS become neighborhood— the current ASFS kids who are below a certain grade since this may happen in 2021 would move to Key most likely (if currently in bounds for key). The younger kids who are in the walk zone for ASFS but currently attend Taylor would move over to ASFS.

2). If the key immersion moved to say Barcroft or Carlin spring then the current K and 1st graders currently enrolled would have to move to the Barcroft or CS location. Since it’s immersion wouldn’t all of APS kids be allowed to apply? How does help the displaced neighborhood kids? Also, how does it work for siblings? So, let’s say the entire key immersion program is moved in 2021 to a s.arlington location. Then presumably the current immersion students would have to decide whether to move or not to the new location. Then they would hold a lottery for all remaining openings. Well, I have a k and a 2nd grader but wouldn’t send kids to two different elementary schools. So this just sounds really complicated. I seriously do not envy everyone who has to handle all of the admin stuff.

How are they going to balance all this enrollment given that they don’t know how all the people will decide with the various option programs and then the change in locations. This is a sincere question.

ASFS will likely be split up. The families living the current boundary (majority of school) would likely go to the new Key. The families there from Cherrydale will likely stay.

I'm not sure I un

Yes, that part isn’t the confusing part. I meant the rest of moving the option programs at once to new locations.

I'm not sure I understand your confusion-- but, right now people apply to Key. If Key moves (or any other option school for that matter) the currently enrolled students will have a choice, either move iwth the school or return to their neighborhood schools. I would imagine that when this move happens their will be waitlist movement as well, b/c some families will decide not to move.

As a side note - At least on the English-dominant side, for grades past first or second, it will be difficult to fill any seats from Key that are left open by students who choose not to stay with the program at its new location. Kids entering the program at that late stage need to have fairly high proficiency in Spanish and are required to test into the program (as opposed to simply filling a seat via lottery). I imagine this is one of the concerns for families who don’t want the immersion program undermined by a relocation.

I know we knock Staff, but I’m guessing they know these programs might have kids leave with the moves. And that there will be some bumps with all these transitions. The question is long term are these the right places for these schools. I too worry that you could see lots of folks go back to their neighborhood schools and see those still overcrowded even with two new schools opening. And kids who have put in the work at an immersion school see that experience Eros with kids leaving. Staff will need to address plans for both.

And if there is no option school in the NW how you fill those schools.

I'm sure that some families will leave. And I don't mean to minimize the frustration for those families. I get that people select a school b/c the location works for them- (we did not apply to option schools where we could not make the location work) and so if the location that Key moves to does not work for those families, they will have to leave the program.
However- as stated by PP, that is not a reason not to do it- this is a long term solution, and we are getting nearly 3 years notice on the move. (I seriously doubt they will do any of this until 2021, although 2020 is a possibility depending on what they decide.) Anyone who is starting K next year knows this is likely to happen. Anyone who applies for the 2019/2020 school year knows both that the school is moving and where it is going.

[Anonymous]

I think you would be suprised by the number of rising kindergarten families who are not aware this process is going on as they make their option decisions. Heck, I was surprised by the number of current elementary families I know who have no idea what's going on because their schools haven't made a short list so their PTAs aren't keeping them informed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about how moving the option schools would work. Full disclosure: not in any of the potential schools being considered and unlikely to apply got any choice programs.

1) If key and ASFS become neighborhood— the current ASFS kids who are below a certain grade since this may happen in 2021 would move to Key most likely (if currently in bounds for key). The younger kids who are in the walk zone for ASFS but currently attend Taylor would move over to ASFS.

2). If the key immersion moved to say Barcroft or Carlin spring then the current K and 1st graders currently enrolled would have to move to the Barcroft or CS location. Since it’s immersion wouldn’t all of APS kids be allowed to apply? How does help the displaced neighborhood kids? Also, how does it work for siblings? So, let’s say the entire key immersion program is moved in 2021 to a s.arlington location. Then presumably the current immersion students would have to decide whether to move or not to the new location. Then they would hold a lottery for all remaining openings. Well, I have a k and a 2nd grader but wouldn’t send kids to two different elementary schools. So this just sounds really complicated. I seriously do not envy everyone who has to handle all of the admin stuff.

How are they going to balance all this enrollment given that they don’t know how all the people will decide with the various option programs and then the change in locations. This is a sincere question.

ASFS will likely be split up. The families living the current boundary (majority of school) would likely go to the new Key. The families there from Cherrydale will likely stay.

I'm not sure I un

Yes, that part isn’t the confusing part. I meant the rest of moving the option programs at once to new locations.

I'm not sure I understand your confusion-- but, right now people apply to Key. If Key moves (or any other option school for that matter) the currently enrolled students will have a choice, either move iwth the school or return to their neighborhood schools. I would imagine that when this move happens their will be waitlist movement as well, b/c some families will decide not to move.

As a side note - At least on the English-dominant side, for grades past first or second, it will be difficult to fill any seats from Key that are left open by students who choose not to stay with the program at its new location. Kids entering the program at that late stage need to have fairly high proficiency in Spanish and are required to test into the program (as opposed to simply filling a seat via lottery). I imagine this is one of the concerns for families who don’t want the immersion program undermined by a relocation.

I know we knock Staff, but I’m guessing they know these programs might have kids leave with the moves. And that there will be some bumps with all these transitions. The question is long term are these the right places for these schools. I too worry that you could see lots of folks go back to their neighborhood schools and see those still overcrowded even with two new schools opening. And kids who have put in the work at an immersion school see that experience Eros with kids leaving. Staff will need to address plans for both.

And if there is no option school in the NW how you fill those schools.

You have to draw long N/S boundaries, which seems expensive with buses but on the positive has the potential to be able to bring in more SES diversity. If S. Arl neighborhoods are short on neighborhood schools, then more of them will get pulled into N. Arl schools, which might be all for the best.

[Anonymous]

^ which they already proved they won’t do after middle and high school boundaries.
Sorry, if you want diversity - the poor kids end up getting on a bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ which they already proved they won’t do after middle and high school boundaries.
Sorry, if you want diversity - the poor kids end up getting on a bus.

It's kind of a catch 22. Do you break up the high poverty neighborhood schools and put poor kids on the bus for their own good? Or do you leave the schools there and let them continue to be high poverty for their own good? The only way you are going to get kids from more affluent families to take a bus to the poor schools is to convince them that the special program is worth it, which is what they are proposing by moving both immersion schools. It's not perfect, but it's the best we've got. The housing patterns are too segregated to just redraw lines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ which they already proved they won’t do after middle and high school boundaries.
Sorry, if you want diversity - the poor kids end up getting on a bus.

It's kind of a catch 22. Do you break up the high poverty neighborhood schools and put poor kids on the bus for their own good? Or do you leave the schools there and let them continue to be high poverty for their own good? The only way you are going to get kids from more affluent families to take a bus to the poor schools is to convince them that the special program is worth it, which is what they are proposing by moving both immersion schools. It's not perfect, but it's the best we've got. The housing patterns are too segregated to just redraw lines.

Totally agree.
But by adding options that entice upper class familes, they will absolutely be putting some ED kids on the bus.
It’s worth it.
Besides we aren’t talking about busing from one end of Fairfax to the other. They will be at a nearby school on the same side of town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you would be suprised by the number of rising kindergarten families who are not aware this process is going on as they make their option decisions. Heck, I was surprised by the number of current elementary families I know who have no idea what's going on because their schools haven't made a short list so their PTAs aren't keeping them informed.

While many people look at PTAs as fundraisers and party throwers, this is a great example of why you also need PTA folks who are going to pay attention to this type of thing and can communicate effectively (especially when APS staff cannot).