Arlington County Publics- Any Talk of Big Cuts, Especially Immersion?
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Anonymous
| So Fairfax seems to be in crisis mode with all of the pending cuts. We were planning to leave our DC Charter immersion for a Fairfax immersion school for the next school year, but with significant talks of immersion cuts, we're putting the brakes on and thinking about other options. Arlington was also on our list, but I can't find the same wealth of info. on schools as Fairfax. How's their budget. I already know about the issue re: overcrowding and the North/South divide. But, what about cutting programs? is that on the table? Any talk of getting rid of immersion at Key and Claremont? We're looking at living in North Arlington, but attending Key if there's the sense that the program is safe. Immersion is safe in DC, but just not family friendly enough for us, so we're jumping ship. |
Anonymous
| Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria runs a great immersion school. Plus it is Del Ray, which is just a great place to live. |
Anonymous
|
No significant cuts on the table for APS. The County Board has a fairly long history of giving Schools whatever they need.
One thing to think about with Mount Vernon - immersion does not continue in ACPS past elementary. There is no middle school immersion option. There is in APS - Gunston. In case that is a factor for you. |
Anonymous
But it's ACPS, so there's that. |
Anonymous
|
No cuts forthcoming in Arlington.
Just understand that there's really no actual "choice" about Arlington's choice schools, including immersion. It's "luck." |
Anonymous
| Most Arlington "choice schools are not "choice." The only real choice school in arlington is ATS. The remainder are either completely neighborhood schools (Barrett and ASF), a limited neighborhood school (Claremont for Oakridge and Abingdon with a few spots for rest of boundary) and Key. And of course, Campbell is only for south arlington kids. |
Anonymous
its not "luck, it is location for immersion. if you are in bounds for key or claremont, you are in, |
Anonymous
If you live in the Key boundary, you are definitely in. If you live in the Key zone (approx 1/2 of Arlington), you can lottery in. I have yet to hear that someone didn't get in who wanted to get in (wait lists move). |
Anonymous
OP here. Husband wants to target North Arlington in our search (zoned for Taylor and/or Jamestown). Our kids are already fluent in Spanish. One would enter 2nd grade and the other Kindergarten. Is there a special lottery category for already fluent speakers? Thanks for everyone's helpful comments! |
Anonymous
Also, ACPS is about to undergo redistricting. |
Anonymous
You should speak to the principal about your 2nd grader to be sure. I believe that 2nd graders and up can only start at Key if they are already fluent (which sounds like is not a problem for you, but means that fewer kids are joining the school in 2nd grade and up). |
Anonymous
+1 The principal and office staff are wonderful. I believe that there are different lottery lists for primary English speakers vs. primary Spanish speakers. Not sure about dual fluency - they are definitely prized at the school. |
Anonymous
| Any idea of how hard it is to lottery at 3rd grade for fluent Spanish speaker? Also, how would that affect my other hold who needs a k spot. Also, a fluent speaker already. Different poster here. I do plan to call the principal next week. Thanks for any BTDT advice! |
Anonymous
| ^ other kid |
Anonymous
|
Fluent speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish and English? If so, I'm sure the school would make room. The bilingual kids play an important role to bring various kids together.
Also, this is a very transitional area. In the higher grades, they probably have attrition due to people moving away, but tough to backfill those spots with bilingual kids. So I'd be really surprised if they couldn't fit him in if he is strong in both. |