Which APS middle and high school for an anxious child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

W-L is not overcrowded. Its size is similar to other Northern VA high schools. And the public process for took place over a number of years. Surrounding neighborhoods wanted to stay in the walkable W-L zone (even as many others were shifted from W-L to Yorktown). W-L also has a county-wide IB program. The solution after a few years of discussions and a public process was to expand the school into the former Ed Center, which would also allow the school to get rid of the trailers, have access to another full size athletic field, and keep most of it's walk zone intact. Wakefield is the only technically overcrowded high school right now.

The key is “technically over crowded”. Other NOVA high schools on much more acreage, have more field space and larger cafeteria etc. basically by bolting on 600 seats, XL WL won’t be “over capacity” for a while. But anyways the overcrowding is about the upcoming grades, not currently and especially because of pandemic.

And Fairfax schools are mostly around 2500, WL will be getting to 2900 like Chantilly, on a plot about twice it’s size

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

W-L is not overcrowded. Its size is similar to other Northern VA high schools. And the public process for took place over a number of years. Surrounding neighborhoods wanted to stay in the walkable W-L zone (even as many others were shifted from W-L to Yorktown). W-L also has a county-wide IB program. The solution after a few years of discussions and a public process was to expand the school into the former Ed Center, which would also allow the school to get rid of the trailers, have access to another full size athletic field, and keep most of it's walk zone intact. Wakefield is the only technically overcrowded high school right now.

The key is “technically over crowded”. Other NOVA high schools on much more acreage, have more field space and larger cafeteria etc. basically by bolting on 600 seats, XL WL won’t be “over capacity” for a while. But anyways the overcrowding is about the upcoming grades, not currently and especially because of pandemic.

And Fairfax schools are mostly around 2500, WL will be getting to 2900 like Chantilly, on a plot about twice it’s size

The Quincy Park fields across the street from W-L are also APS property and was acquired decades ago for W-L student use. Students use those fields (and the adjacent tennis courts) for PE and other uses throughout the school day. The overall site is plenty large for the size of W-L and comparable with those in FCPS. Much larger schools on smaller urban sites like the famous Stuyvesant HS in NY have about 3500 students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

W-L is not overcrowded. Its size is similar to other Northern VA high schools. And the public process for took place over a number of years. Surrounding neighborhoods wanted to stay in the walkable W-L zone (even as many others were shifted from W-L to Yorktown). W-L also has a county-wide IB program. The solution after a few years of discussions and a public process was to expand the school into the former Ed Center, which would also allow the school to get rid of the trailers, have access to another full size athletic field, and keep most of it's walk zone intact. Wakefield is the only technically overcrowded high school right now.

The key is “technically over crowded”. Other NOVA high schools on much more acreage, have more field space and larger cafeteria etc. basically by bolting on 600 seats, XL WL won’t be “over capacity” for a while. But anyways the overcrowding is about the upcoming grades, not currently and especially because of pandemic.

And Fairfax schools are mostly around 2500, WL will be getting to 2900 like Chantilly, on a plot about twice it’s size

The Quincy Park fields across the street from W-L are also APS property and was acquired decades ago for W-L student use. Students use those fields (and the adjacent tennis courts) for PE and other uses throughout the school day. The overall site is plenty large for the size of W-L and comparable with those in FCPS. Much larger schools on smaller urban sites like the famous Stuyvesant HS in NY have about 3500 students.

Trying to draw comparisons to an elite magnet school is grasping PP.

So they have a cafeteria on Quincy park? Get real. They undersized the building and it’s on a small lot and don’t pretend it’s the same as an exurban campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

While technically true, a bit misleading. It has taken all IB applicants the past few years, and only because they're expecting the additional seats from the ed center and "have room."
On paper, I agree with the PP's insinuation. But, having been a neighborhood TJ parent, I can honestly say to everyone who didn't have the opportunity that they didn't miss anything as far as IB goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

W-L is not overcrowded. Its size is similar to other Northern VA high schools. And the public process for took place over a number of years. Surrounding neighborhoods wanted to stay in the walkable W-L zone (even as many others were shifted from W-L to Yorktown). W-L also has a county-wide IB program. The solution after a few years of discussions and a public process was to expand the school into the former Ed Center, which would also allow the school to get rid of the trailers, have access to another full size athletic field, and keep most of it's walk zone intact. Wakefield is the only technically overcrowded high school right now.

The key is “technically over crowded”. Other NOVA high schools on much more acreage, have more field space and larger cafeteria etc. basically by bolting on 600 seats, XL WL won’t be “over capacity” for a while. But anyways the overcrowding is about the upcoming grades, not currently and especially because of pandemic.

And Fairfax schools are mostly around 2500, WL will be getting to 2900 like Chantilly, on a plot about twice it’s size

The Quincy Park fields across the street from W-L are also APS property and was acquired decades ago for W-L student use. Students use those fields (and the adjacent tennis courts) for PE and other uses throughout the school day. The overall site is plenty large for the size of W-L and comparable with those in FCPS. Much larger schools on smaller urban sites like the famous Stuyvesant HS in NY have about 3500 students.

Trying to draw comparisons to an elite magnet school is grasping PP.

So they have a cafeteria on Quincy park? Get real. They undersized the building and it’s on a small lot and don’t pretend it’s the same as an exurban campus.

Teams also use the adjacent county owned Oak Grove Park for practice. There is plenty of space. It doesn't all have to be on one mega site like Lake Braddock or Robinson. Directly adjacent sites are just fine in an older suburb like Arlington. W-L is making use of all those sites, both APS and county owned. There are plenty of massive suburban schools, much larger than W-L, on compact sites like Evanston Township HS outside Chicago. Additional fields are also across the street from that school. (That is not an elite magnet school. Stuyvesant just happens to be one that everyone knows.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

While technically true, a bit misleading. It has taken all IB applicants the past few years, and only because they're expecting the additional seats from the ed center and "have room."
On paper, I agree with the PP's insinuation. But, having been a neighborhood TJ parent, I can honestly say to everyone who didn't have the opportunity that they didn't miss anything as far as IB goes.

Are you equating middle-school IB with earning an IB diploma?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

Because you think the school board has no idea?

Oh you misunderstood. As part of an equity lawsuit.

I’m OP and a lawyer and this Woodlawn debate is getting absurd. What evidentiary value do you think a print out from DCUM has in your lawsuit? Just stop. I’m trying to gather actual information here to help my actual child who is struggling. If you want to talk about Woodlawn, please start your own thread.

It’s because anytime HB Woodlawn and ATS get mentioned on the board a bunch of haters show up.

As suggested by many people here, I would look into Dorothy Hamm. My friend’s DD is extremely shy and the school has worked out well for her. I think you should post your question on one to the Arlington Facebook groups (Arlington Education Matters and Arlington Parents for an Education). Yes there are lot of posters there but you need to have conversations with actual people - perhaps just ask a general question. Who has a kid with an IAP in middle and high school. What has their experience been? I wish I could help but my girls are neurotypical (and in elementary school). Best of luck finding the answers you need. Also for private perhaps look into the Sycamore School. I’ve heard good things about it. My coworkers friend’s daughter is there and is thriving.

This is OP. Thank you. I didn’t know about those Facebook pages. I will join them. Sycamore School looks great! But that was silly of me to ask. We can’t afford that. I need to stick with what’s realistic. We could move out of county but that sounds hard for my kid.

Watch out - one of those groups - Arlington Education Matters is a general discussion group so that's a good suggestion. The other one - Arlington Parents for Education - is a 501c4 with an agenda. The group has a terrible reputation within APS due to how they conducted themselves during the pandemic when they formed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

if you apply to WL for IB from out of boundary you have to do the full IB program or if not you are sent back to your home school. Anyone zoned for WL can take just a few IB classes. Tell me how that's equitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

if you apply to WL for IB from out of boundary you have to do the full IB program or if not you are sent back to your home school. Anyone zoned for WL can take just a few IB classes. Tell me how that's equitable.

It's equitable because in-boundary W-L students have access to the full AP course of study as well. They should not be forced into taking IB. Back in the day, the W-L community agreed to IB only if the AP courses similarly expanded. The other two high schools were then supposed to come up with their unique programs to attract students: Wakefield has the Senior Project, and Yorktown has R.O.C.S.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

Because you think the school board has no idea?

Oh you misunderstood. As part of an equity lawsuit.

I’m OP and a lawyer and this Woodlawn debate is getting absurd. What evidentiary value do you think a print out from DCUM has in your lawsuit? Just stop. I’m trying to gather actual information here to help my actual child who is struggling. If you want to talk about Woodlawn, please start your own thread.

It’s because anytime HB Woodlawn and ATS get mentioned on the board a bunch of haters show up.

As suggested by many people here, I would look into Dorothy Hamm. My friend’s DD is extremely shy and the school has worked out well for her. I think you should post your question on one to the Arlington Facebook groups (Arlington Education Matters and Arlington Parents for an Education). Yes there are lot of posters there but you need to have conversations with actual people - perhaps just ask a general question. Who has a kid with an IAP in middle and high school. What has their experience been? I wish I could help but my girls are neurotypical (and in elementary school). Best of luck finding the answers you need. Also for private perhaps look into the Sycamore School. I’ve heard good things about it. My coworkers friend’s daughter is there and is thriving.

This is OP. Thank you. I didn’t know about those Facebook pages. I will join them. Sycamore School looks great! But that was silly of me to ask. We can’t afford that. I need to stick with what’s realistic. We could move out of county but that sounds hard for my kid.

Watch out - one of those groups - Arlington Education Matters is a general discussion group so that's a good suggestion. The other one - Arlington Parents for Education - is a 501c4 with an agenda. The group has a terrible reputation within APS due to how they conducted themselves during the pandemic when they formed.

I’m the PP who suggested both groups. It doesn’t actually matter. Both provide OP with an easy way to connect with other parents who have children at APS. It’s not like OP is going to rehash the school closure & pandemic debate. Plus the issues are mutually exclusive. A parent can have insight over which middle school would work for OPs child and be one of those ppl against shutting down schools. Plus both groups has crazy parents (just like here where some ppl have changed this post to an HB Woodlawn debate and they just keep going).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

While technically true, a bit misleading. It has taken all IB applicants the past few years, and only because they're expecting the additional seats from the ed center and "have room."
On paper, I agree with the PP's insinuation. But, having been a neighborhood TJ parent, I can honestly say to everyone who didn't have the opportunity that they didn't miss anything as far as IB goes.

Are you equating middle-school IB with earning an IB diploma?

Uh, no. Didn't mention or insinuate anything about IB diplomas. I'm saying APS' middle school IB program isn't providing anything significant that other middle schools aren't. The IB program in Arlington isn't structured or implemented the way the real IB program is supposed to be. You don't even have to have been in the elementary (Randolph) or middle school (Jefferson) programs to get into the high school (subset of WL) program or earn an IB diploma. Jefferson has nothing to do with an IB diploma. People think they're going to get something "extra" or "better" with the IB program. Our experience is that's a bunch of malarkey at the middle school level and only made certain things more annoying as Arlington tries to implement the IB concepts onto the traditional instruction. Was always told IB emphasized more writing. Not at the middle school level in Arlington, unless you count having to do self-assessments as "more writing."

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

Because you think the school board has no idea?

Oh you misunderstood. As part of an equity lawsuit.

I’m OP and a lawyer and this Woodlawn debate is getting absurd. What evidentiary value do you think a print out from DCUM has in your lawsuit? Just stop. I’m trying to gather actual information here to help my actual child who is struggling. If you want to talk about Woodlawn, please start your own thread.

It’s because anytime HB Woodlawn and ATS get mentioned on the board a bunch of haters show up.

As suggested by many people here, I would look into Dorothy Hamm. My friend’s DD is extremely shy and the school has worked out well for her. I think you should post your question on one to the Arlington Facebook groups (Arlington Education Matters and Arlington Parents for an Education). Yes there are lot of posters there but you need to have conversations with actual people - perhaps just ask a general question. Who has a kid with an IAP in middle and high school. What has their experience been? I wish I could help but my girls are neurotypical (and in elementary school). Best of luck finding the answers you need. Also for private perhaps look into the Sycamore School. I’ve heard good things about it. My coworkers friend’s daughter is there and is thriving.

This is OP. Thank you. I didn’t know about those Facebook pages. I will join them. Sycamore School looks great! But that was silly of me to ask. We can’t afford that. I need to stick with what’s realistic. We could move out of county but that sounds hard for my kid.

Watch out - one of those groups - Arlington Education Matters is a general discussion group so that's a good suggestion. The other one - Arlington Parents for Education - is a 501c4 with an agenda. The group has a terrible reputation within APS due to how they conducted themselves during the pandemic when they formed.

NP. I'm not a member of the Arlington Parents for Education group; but OP, beware that PP is clearly biased against APE as many AEM parents are. Yes, there are some hard-core conservatives in there; but their newsletters and school board summaries are excellent and provide far more information than any other source. AEM used to be more useful than it is; but has been heavily dominated by certain conversations and voices. Nevertheless, you can post your question and likely receive a lot of helpful comments. One could argue that AEM has its "agenda" as well.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

if you apply to WL for IB from out of boundary you have to do the full IB program or if not you are sent back to your home school. Anyone zoned for WL can take just a few IB classes. Tell me how that's equitable.

+1
It's not.
It also means all the Jefferson students don't have equal access to the same IB opportunities and choices. Regardless of the earlier poster's comment, if everyone at Jefferson applied to WL's IB, they would NOT be accepting all applicants. Randolph ES has the early years IB program. Those students don't even all go on to the Jefferson middle years program. It's a disjointed program that is not available to all students.
At the very least, I always believed that any WL student wanting to take an IB class should have to be in the full program....either you're doing IB or you're not. It's absolutely not "equitable" to YHS, HBW, AT, or WHS students to not have the same opportunity to take a few IB classes but not the whole program like ALL non-transfer WL students do. I think it's because they want to make sure they have sufficient enrollment for all of the IB classes. Relatively very few actually obtain an IB diploma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

if you apply to WL for IB from out of boundary you have to do the full IB program or if not you are sent back to your home school. Anyone zoned for WL can take just a few IB classes. Tell me how that's equitable.

It's equitable because in-boundary W-L students have access to the full AP course of study as well. They should not be forced into taking IB. Back in the day, the W-L community agreed to IB only if the AP courses similarly expanded. The other two high schools were then supposed to come up with their unique programs to attract students: Wakefield has the Senior Project, and Yorktown has R.O.C.S.

Whatever ROCS is. And the senior project is hardly a program - it's a full=year project in lieu of the other schools' "senior experiences." Wakefield's special "program" is AP network, which again, really isn't a program.
Secondly, IB SHOULD be a program and WL students should NOT be able to only partially participate. ALL Wakefield students have the same access to whatever the AP Network affords. Can't speak to YHS because I never even heard of ROCS, which (along with your own ignorance of Wakefield's "program") should give you an idea of the true significance of the other high school's programs v. IB at WL.

Your ridiculous response that it is equitable because all students districted to WL have access to the classes reflects either an enormous ignorance or an extremely limited understanding of the meaning of equity. It's equitable because it's equitable within the one school???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HB Woodlawn may be small, sure, but it’s pretty intense academically and really isn’t a place for kids with special needs. I think she’d be better off in one of the neighborhood schools, probably Wakefield.

Haha no, it follows the same curriculum as the rest of APS, with similar academic pathways. Just in a not overcrowded school in a gorgeous building

Two of my kids went to HB. I believe I know more about the school than you do.

So a random lottery school somehow ends up academic more advanced without any admission criteria? You are full of BS. It’s not a magnet, it’s lottery ticket.

Are you for real?

Yes, the academic profile of the average HB student is higher than the average at any of the neighborhood high schools, not because it’s a magnet school with admissions criteria, but because it tends to attract higher achievers as lottery applicants. It’s not like every 5th grader in the county applies to HB; the large majority don’t, and I suspect some families have never even heard of it.

It’s not that complicated, idiot.

It's not only the kids, it's the schedule. Kids take I think one more class than regular middle schools, so they only have each class four days instead of five. So they have less time to get through the same curriculum, which means the pace is quicker.

Oh, wow I’m going to print this and send to school board since the inequity that is HBW is just yawning wider. WL is overcrowded and being supersized, while HB students are capped in size with a academic enrichment. Holy absolute F.

do you also think it's inequitable that WL and TJ students can access IB curriculum but the rest of the county does not? or do you just hate HB?

WL accepts almost ALL IB applicants and has for years.

if you apply to WL for IB from out of boundary you have to do the full IB program or if not you are sent back to your home school. Anyone zoned for WL can take just a few IB classes. Tell me how that's equitable.

It's equitable because in-boundary W-L students have access to the full AP course of study as well. They should not be forced into taking IB. Back in the day, the W-L community agreed to IB only if the AP courses similarly expanded. The other two high schools were then supposed to come up with their unique programs to attract students: Wakefield has the Senior Project, and Yorktown has R.O.C.S.

Whatever ROCS is. And the senior project is hardly a program - it's a full=year project in lieu of the other schools' "senior experiences." Wakefield's special "program" is AP network, which again, really isn't a program.
Secondly, IB SHOULD be a program and WL students should NOT be able to only partially participate. ALL Wakefield students have the same access to whatever the AP Network affords. Can't speak to YHS because I never even heard of ROCS, which (along with your own ignorance of Wakefield's "program") should give you an idea of the true significance of the other high school's programs v. IB at WL.

Your ridiculous response that it is equitable because all students districted to WL have access to the classes reflects either an enormous ignorance or an extremely limited understanding of the meaning of equity. It's equitable because it's equitable within the one school???

I will clarify, IB at WL should be full-time only; but I don't believe all students should have to participate in the IB program. Just that none of them should be able to pick and choose. Either it's a curriculum and academic program offering a unique diploma, or it isn't. And when students NOT living within the boundary of WL HAVE to be full-time IB, that is NOT equitable even within WL.