Your thoughts on Haycock elementary please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any news from the AAP task force that is studying the overcrowding at Haycock?

As far as I know, there isn't actually a task force yet. It's just a pipe dream at this point. Things are improving, though. Haycock has one less 3rd grade AAP class than it did last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You sort of contradicted yourself there.

Jamestown's widely considered to be the best Elementary school in the Arlington system. I don't know anybody zoned for it who would send their child to ATS -- it's a fine school, but it's no Jamestown. Maybe some would try for Arlington Science Focus, but those are the ones who think that's a ticket to TJ.

I can't say whether or not it's "better" than Haycock but it's at least comparable and many would consider superior. Everyone I know who's considered both pyramids chose this side of the border.

And to a lot of parents, class size is a major factor. If my kid were at Haycock, she'd have 30 in her class from what I gather. She has 21.

NP here. We chose Haycock over Jamestown, and we know several other families who did as well. Our reasoning was similar to that of a number of other posters here. Haycock has a better reputation, it sends far more kids to TJ (through Longfellow), the middle school and high school parts of the pyramid are stronger than they are for the Arlington pyramid (higher SAT scores, governor's awards, success in national math and science competitions, etc.), better differentiation for gifted students, and more attractive housing options. For us, it wasn't even close after we did our research. Also, as others have noted, you are way off base regarding the class sizes at Haycock. Our K class has only around 20 students so far, and many of the other classes are smaller as well this year.

[Anonymous]

This is purely hearsay..... Haycock has more teachers this year, so maybe the smaller class sizes. Also, its my understanding that schools like Lemon Road and Shrevewood are trying to implement the Level IV AAP so they don't have to send so many kids to Haycock.

[Anonymous]

The smaller class sizes at Haycock this year are not by chance. They are the result of the principal advocating for the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any news from the AAP task force that is studying the overcrowding at Haycock?

As far as I know, there isn't actually a task force yet. It's just a pipe dream at this point. Things are improving, though. Haycock has one less 3rd grade AAP class than it did last year.

Well, the task force was initially forming back in May. See bottom of page 1:

http://www.fcps.edu/HaycockES/news_notes/Principal_Coffee_May23_12.pdf

Q: What is the long-term goal for the AAP center at Haycock?
Marty acknowledges that there has been significant growth in the AAP population in FCPS – Louise
Archer is also experiencing the same problems with overpopulation as an AAP center). An internal task
force has been created to take a look at how to respond to the crowding in the AAP schools.
- Might be able to plan for renovations by diverting students to other schools that have additional
room for growth in next 3-4 years. It might be students who are newly eligible and divert those
students to a different center program.
- Another option is to look at the current population and acknowledge that the next school year
will be tight, but divert some of the students to other centers in a year from now. Parents,
teachers and community would be part of this decision if this were to possibly happen.
- Or perhaps, the students might remain at base school with the creation of local level IV
programs.
- Ultimate five-year goal is to accommodate the AAP program so that it fits the building. To
address the specific rezoning and projections questions, Marty suggested that the Haycock
would fit in the site and newly renovated building in the window of 5 years. Marty
acknowledges that parents are concerned etc. and appreciates that some students would be
grandfathered in if FCPS were to divert some of the AAP population.

[Anonymous]

Those notes are from a meeting where Marty Smith was cornered by vicious Haycock parents who want the AAP kids out. There has been no mention of such a task force at general school board meetings, AAP advisory committee meetings, or facilities and transportation meetings. It may exist, but just be on hold. Marty also said that a study would delay the renovation, so it is not in the schools best interests right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The smaller class sizes at Haycock this year are not by chance. They are the result of the principal advocating for the school.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You sort of contradicted yourself there.

Jamestown's widely considered to be the best Elementary school in the Arlington system. I don't know anybody zoned for it who would send their child to ATS -- it's a fine school, but it's no Jamestown. Maybe some would try for Arlington Science Focus, but those are the ones who think that's a ticket to TJ.

I can't say whether or not it's "better" than Haycock but it's at least comparable and many would consider superior. Everyone I know who's considered both pyramids chose this side of the border.

And to a lot of parents, class size is a major factor. If my kid were at Haycock, she'd have 30 in her class from what I gather. She has 21.

We did. But I confess that our preference for Longfellow and McLean over Williamsburg and Yorktown were more important than the ES assignments. We did not hear good things about Williamsburg and then the principal resigned in a huff and sent out a letter to parents saying the superintendent was evil incarnate. It seemed rather dysfunctional. That was a few years ago so maybe things have calmed down at Williamsburg, but it was right around the time the Longfellow principal was being named new principal of the year in FCPS. Add the fact that we liked the housing choices better and it was an easy choice.

It's been pointed out repeatedly that many Haycock classes are smaller than 30 students/class. You sound rather insecure.

On the contrary, I'm extremely secure. Everyone knows Arlington is a superior system.

You seem to be awfully fond of the word "rather." Try using a thesaurus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Langley, McLean, Woodson, Madison, and Oakton all have higher average SAT scores than Yorktown. Haycock students can choose between AP at McLean and IB at Marshall. I really can't see the draw of ACPS.

Yorktown isn't in ACPS. It's in APS.

ACPS means Alexandria City Public Schools.

Arlington is APS.

Schools are much more than SAT scores (hell, schools don't even take SAT scores).

[Anonymous]

20:54 Maybe she did, but it seems a little unjust that certain principals get more teachers than other schools. It still remains that FCPS schools can have over 30 children in a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley, McLean, Woodson, Madison, and Oakton all have higher average SAT scores than Yorktown. Haycock students can choose between AP at McLean and IB at Marshall. I really can't see the draw of ACPS.

Yorktown isn't in ACPS. It's in APS.

ACPS means Alexandria City Public Schools.

Arlington is APS.

Schools are much more than SAT scores (hell, schools don't even take SAT scores).

So true.

Medal awarded to Yorktown by US News = none

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/arlington-county-public-schools/yorktown-high-20365

Eight of the top 10 were in Fairfax.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

Schools are so much more than the views of one Jamestown parent (hell, she even stays up until midnight to troll this thread).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Langley, McLean, Woodson, Madison, and Oakton all have higher average SAT scores than Yorktown. Haycock students can choose between AP at McLean and IB at Marshall. I really can't see the draw of ACPS.

Yorktown isn't in ACPS. It's in APS.

ACPS means Alexandria City Public Schools.

Arlington is APS.

Schools are much more than SAT scores (hell, schools don't even take SAT scores).

So true.

Medal awarded to Yorktown by US News = none

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia/districts/arlington-county-public-schools/yorktown-high-20365

Eight of the top 10 were in Fairfax.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/virginia

Schools are so much more than the views of one Jamestown parent (hell, she even stays up until midnight to troll this thread).

+1. This Jamestown booster seems to be trying to outdo the Crazy Marshall Lady in terms of randomly inserting it into discussions where no one had even asked about it and then putting down other schools as well. Are these people really that stupid? Don't they realize that they are just making themselves look jealous and their schools look obnoxious in the process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20:54 Maybe she did, but it seems a little unjust that certain principals get more teachers than other schools. It still remains that FCPS schools can have over 30 children in a class.

I guess its good Haycock was able to add additional teachers to bring down class sizes this year. But legit question here where do they put these additional classes-- are they sitting in the hallways or is half the school in trailers?

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of trailers. Honestly, though, trailers are not that big of a deal. There is so much drama on here about them, but the kids do not seem to care.

[Anonymous]

Jamestown is not even the best elementary in Arlington. ATS and McKinley shared that honor for most of the last 9 or 10 years.