Feedback on Yorktown HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering either Yorktown HS or private school for our children and would love some candid feedback from those with experience at Yorktown. And, even better if some parents have experience with both Yorktown and private high schools. We love the idea of public school and never thought we'd consider private, but the growing class size is concerning. (incoming class of 9th graders predicted to be 660 kids)[/quote

Private, full-stop. We are stuck at Yorktown because my child did not get into private school. It has been even worse than Williamsburg, which I didn't think was possible.

+1 When I talk to people in person they tell a very different story about the Arlington high schools (kids currently in APS HS) than people on this board.

I know so many kids heading to private HS next Fall.

LOL. Right. That's why the schools are overcrowded -- nobody's going to them!

Cut me a break.

They are over-crowded, but out of the 20 HS age kids in a 3 block radius in my Arlington neighborhood. 15 are in private/or going for 9th.

It is neighborhood dependent. We are N. Arl- WL zoned.

If you are inclined to sneak a peek at the private school board, you will see that there were record numbers of Applicants at privates this year (some had the largest pool of Applicants in history--1,200 for 200 spots, etc)---Visitation, Gonzaga, St John's, etc. There has been a steep increase in numbers applying from Virginia and MoCo. when in the past more were just DC, very close-in. Something is driving this huge spike in private school applicants.

It's not just APS, but MoCo, Fairfax, more people are dissatisfied with the way publics are now operating and the size has a lot to do with how much the teachers can give. Some would never consider it. I certainly was a person that never thought I would send my kids to a private HS. I went to public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those providing feedback on Yorktown experiences. Perhaps most shocking is that the school has no bathroom doors! What? Is that true?
And, no outdoor time?
Does the size of the school prevent students from trying new activities/sports? Only the exceptional on sports teams, in art, etc?

Truth on bathroom doors...had a vaping problem

[Anonymous]

^ what was driving it for us was seeing my kids bored. They never had to work in APS MS and received straight As. 7 HS credits obtained and I doubt they could write a coherent essay. Yes- they score off the charts on SOLS. Yes- they could probably regurgitate material for an AP exam. We were looking for something past teach to the test. My kids also need to learn how to work. It will be a rude awakening, but I want them prepared for life. Granted, their GPA is likely going to be a lot lower in private so it's not about college admission. It's about learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering either Yorktown HS or private school for our children and would love some candid feedback from those with experience at Yorktown. And, even better if some parents have experience with both Yorktown and private high schools. We love the idea of public school and never thought we'd consider private, but the growing class size is concerning. (incoming class of 9th graders predicted to be 660 kids)[/quote

Private, full-stop. We are stuck at Yorktown because my child did not get into private school. It has been even worse than Williamsburg, which I didn't think was possible.

+1 When I talk to people in person they tell a very different story about the Arlington high schools (kids currently in APS HS) than people on this board.

I know so many kids heading to private HS next Fall.

LOL. Right. That's why the schools are overcrowded -- nobody's going to them!

Cut me a break.

Unless they applied catholic they have no idea yet if they are going to private and won't until tomorrow....

They are over-crowded, but out of the 20 HS age kids in a 3 block radius in my Arlington neighborhood. 15 are in private/or going for 9th.

It is neighborhood dependent. We are N. Arl- WL zoned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering either Yorktown HS or private school for our children and would love some candid feedback from those with experience at Yorktown. And, even better if some parents have experience with both Yorktown and private high schools. We love the idea of public school and never thought we'd consider private, but the growing class size is concerning. (incoming class of 9th graders predicted to be 660 kids)[/quote

Private, full-stop. We are stuck at Yorktown because my child did not get into private school. It has been even worse than Williamsburg, which I didn't think was possible.

+1 When I talk to people in person they tell a very different story about the Arlington high schools (kids currently in APS HS) than people on this board.

I know so many kids heading to private HS next Fall.

LOL. Right. That's why the schools are overcrowded -- nobody's going to them!

Cut me a break.

The kids are already there (GDS, Sidwell, Potomac, GV< GZ, etc.). The other 8th graders are going Catholic and found out last Friday. These are the '20' I know. I do know several more that are applying for 6th and won't know until tomorrow. This is a big change from when we moved into our neighborhood 10-years ago.
Unless they applied catholic they have no idea yet if they are going to private and won't until tomorrow....

They are over-crowded, but out of the 20 HS age kids in a 3 block radius in my Arlington neighborhood. 15 are in private/or going for 9th.

It is neighborhood dependent. We are N. Arl- WL zoned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those providing feedback on Yorktown experiences. Perhaps most shocking is that the school has no bathroom doors! What? Is that true?
And, no outdoor time?
Does the size of the school prevent students from trying new activities/sports? Only the exceptional on sports teams, in art, etc?

Truth on bathroom doors...had a vaping problem

My kids are in elementary, but I went to the yorktown basketball game the other night and there were doors on the bathroom stalls. The door might have been propped open to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ what was driving it for us was seeing my kids bored. They never had to work in APS MS and received straight As. 7 HS credits obtained and I doubt they could write a coherent essay. Yes- they score off the charts on SOLS. Yes- they could probably regurgitate material for an AP exam. We were looking for something past teach to the test. My kids also need to learn how to work. It will be a rude awakening, but I want them prepared for life. Granted, their GPA is likely going to be a lot lower in private so it's not about college admission. It's about learning.

I actually debated this, but fell on the side of 'learning/being prepared'. My kid will most likely be getting grades below an 'A' for the first time in his life. With Naviance, that may ultimately hurt him vs a 4.7 GPA from public, but I don't care about that. I was really dissatisfied with 'substance' in public and like the depth the teachers can go into, and question and debate at our private HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those providing feedback on Yorktown experiences. Perhaps most shocking is that the school has no bathroom doors! What? Is that true?
And, no outdoor time?
Does the size of the school prevent students from trying new activities/sports? Only the exceptional on sports teams, in art, etc?

Truth on bathroom doors...had a vaping problem

My kids are in elementary, but I went to the yorktown basketball game the other night and there were doors on the bathroom stalls. The door might have been propped open to the bathroom.

The stalls have doors IIRC, but the main doors to the bathrooms were removed or kept propped open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ what was driving it for us was seeing my kids bored. They never had to work in APS MS and received straight As. 7 HS credits obtained and I doubt they could write a coherent essay. Yes- they score off the charts on SOLS. Yes- they could probably regurgitate material for an AP exam. We were looking for something past teach to the test. My kids also need to learn how to work. It will be a rude awakening, but I want them prepared for life. Granted, their GPA is likely going to be a lot lower in private so it's not about college admission. It's about learning.

I actually debated this, but fell on the side of 'learning/being prepared'. My kid will most likely be getting grades below an 'A' for the first time in his life. With Naviance, that may ultimately hurt him vs a 4.7 GPA from public, but I don't care about that. I was really dissatisfied with 'substance' in public and like the depth the teachers can go into, and question and debate at our private HS.

We just got sick of APS. MS you either are bored off your *ss in math that is way below your current level or you are pushed ahead 3 grades and not learning 'solid' foundation. I don't like the standards based learning. I don't like that they 'experiment' on the students and then abandon something when your kid was caught in the middle of it once they see it is having detrimental effects. I am all for an 'old-school' traditional education, not the current flavor of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re loving WMS. Believe it. Love it. Have a high achiever and he is very well served there. Private isn’t an option for us. But we have plenty of friends in DC at the big 3 and middle school doesn’t sound terribly different. At least for the academicly inclined. Also, don’t know why you think I wouldn’t take pot shots at the vocal entitled-parent population at WMS and YHS. Why not?! Many deserve it. They treat admin and staff like they expect individual attention. Most of the unhappy parents I know fall firmly in that category.

+1 My kid went from WMS to a big 3 for HS and was at no academic disadvantage compared to the private school kids.

OP here. Thanks so much for sharing this. Would love to hear more about why you decided to forego Yorktown for a private HS. That's the boat we're in and would love to hear more of the pros and cons you weighed.

PP here. I was not enthusiastic about DC going to private HS, but I was overruled by DH and DC. It was DC's idea - they felt like they were in a rut, just coasting, and they were looking for something more challenging. And now, years later, I am 100% certain it was the correct decision.

Pros - The class sizes are much smaller, the teachers (almost all) are more engaged, and it's OK among your classmates - in fact, it's encouraged - to be smart. English/writing instruction is much superior to public HS - several papers required per year, with multiple drafts. College counseling is light-years ahead of that at a public school. And even though we're just separated by a river, DC's classmates who live in Washington and Maryland tend to be more sophisticated and interested in the wider world than DC's Virginia friends. Kind of a city mouse vs country mouse dynamic.

Cons - The commute can be a pain. It can be difficult to get together with friends outside of school - but DC quickly became comfortable with Metro. Other parents are very nice, but I sometimes missed my parent friends I'd known for years. Homework is 3-4 hours/night by junior year. And I wouldn't do it if it would be a struggle to pay $50k/year.

You had me until you started with this drivel. What, did you interview all of your kid's classmates and then analyze the results by geographic location?

You're right, I shouldn't have extrapolated my kid's own experience to make such a blanket statement. There is a difference though between going to school in DC vs Virginia - it's the difference between an urban vs. suburban experience. It was good for my kid to get outside the North Arlington bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re loving WMS. Believe it. Love it. Have a high achiever and he is very well served there. Private isn’t an option for us. But we have plenty of friends in DC at the big 3 and middle school doesn’t sound terribly different. At least for the academicly inclined. Also, don’t know why you think I wouldn’t take pot shots at the vocal entitled-parent population at WMS and YHS. Why not?! Many deserve it. They treat admin and staff like they expect individual attention. Most of the unhappy parents I know fall firmly in that category.

+1 My kid went from WMS to a big 3 for HS and was at no academic disadvantage compared to the private school kids.

OP here. Thanks so much for sharing this. Would love to hear more about why you decided to forego Yorktown for a private HS. That's the boat we're in and would love to hear more of the pros and cons you weighed.

PP here. I was not enthusiastic about DC going to private HS, but I was overruled by DH and DC. It was DC's idea - they felt like they were in a rut, just coasting, and they were looking for something more challenging. And now, years later, I am 100% certain it was the correct decision.

Pros - The class sizes are much smaller, the teachers (almost all) are more engaged, and it's OK among your classmates - in fact, it's encouraged - to be smart. English/writing instruction is much superior to public HS - several papers required per year, with multiple drafts. College counseling is light-years ahead of that at a public school. And even though we're just separated by a river, DC's classmates who live in Washington and Maryland tend to be more sophisticated and interested in the wider world than DC's Virginia friends. Kind of a city mouse vs country mouse dynamic.

Cons - The commute can be a pain. It can be difficult to get together with friends outside of school - but DC quickly became comfortable with Metro. Other parents are very nice, but I sometimes missed my parent friends I'd known for years. Homework is 3-4 hours/night by junior year. And I wouldn't do it if it would be a struggle to pay $50k/year.

You had me until you started with this drivel. What, did you interview all of your kid's classmates and then analyze the results by geographic location?

You're right, I shouldn't have extrapolated my kid's own experience to make such a blanket statement. There is a difference though between going to school in DC vs Virginia - it's the difference between an urban vs. suburban experience. It was good for my kid to get outside the North Arlington bubble.

My kid is going to HS in DC, but WL zone is very urban. The kids that live along the corridor walk and take public transportation regularly. Parts of the Rosslyn-Clarendon-Ballston corridor are as busy as the city all times of day...with homeless people to step over and sketchiness to boot.

This is why most of the parents living in this part of Arlington were completely fine with HB being built in Rosslyn while an entire contingent of APS parents farther out were crying about sending their MSs to a school in 'dangerous' Rosslyn.

It will depend what part of DC ---riding the Metro to GZ vs being driven in a town car to Sidwell or Visi is very different. Campus and location night and day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re loving WMS. Believe it. Love it. Have a high achiever and he is very well served there. Private isn’t an option for us. But we have plenty of friends in DC at the big 3 and middle school doesn’t sound terribly different. At least for the academicly inclined. Also, don’t know why you think I wouldn’t take pot shots at the vocal entitled-parent population at WMS and YHS. Why not?! Many deserve it. They treat admin and staff like they expect individual attention. Most of the unhappy parents I know fall firmly in that category.

+1 My kid went from WMS to a big 3 for HS and was at no academic disadvantage compared to the private school kids.

OP here. Thanks so much for sharing this. Would love to hear more about why you decided to forego Yorktown for a private HS. That's the boat we're in and would love to hear more of the pros and cons you weighed.

PP here. I was not enthusiastic about DC going to private HS, but I was overruled by DH and DC. It was DC's idea - they felt like they were in a rut, just coasting, and they were looking for something more challenging. And now, years later, I am 100% certain it was the correct decision.

Pros - The class sizes are much smaller, the teachers (almost all) are more engaged, and it's OK among your classmates - in fact, it's encouraged - to be smart. English/writing instruction is much superior to public HS - several papers required per year, with multiple drafts. College counseling is light-years ahead of that at a public school. And even though we're just separated by a river, DC's classmates who live in Washington and Maryland tend to be more sophisticated and interested in the wider world than DC's Virginia friends. Kind of a city mouse vs country mouse dynamic.

Cons - The commute can be a pain. It can be difficult to get together with friends outside of school - but DC quickly became comfortable with Metro. Other parents are very nice, but I sometimes missed my parent friends I'd known for years. Homework is 3-4 hours/night by junior year. And I wouldn't do it if it would be a struggle to pay $50k/year.

You had me until you started with this drivel. What, did you interview all of your kid's classmates and then analyze the results by geographic location?

You're right, I shouldn't have extrapolated my kid's own experience to make such a blanket statement. There is a difference though between going to school in DC vs Virginia - it's the difference between an urban vs. suburban experience. It was good for my kid to get outside the North Arlington bubble.

My kid is going to HS in DC, but WL zone is very urban. The kids that live along the corridor walk and take public transportation regularly. Parts of the Rosslyn-Clarendon-Ballston corridor are as busy as the city all times of day...with homeless people to step over and sketchiness to boot.

This is why most of the parents living in this part of Arlington were completely fine with HB being built in Rosslyn while an entire contingent of APS parents farther out were crying about sending their MSs to a school in 'dangerous' Rosslyn.

It will depend what part of DC ---riding the Metro to GZ vs being driven in a town car to Sidwell or Visi is very different. Campus and location night and day.

+1 I can see Yorktown being more of that suburban bubble but W-L is different. My kids walk to W-L from the Virginia Square area, take the metro alone all over DC, have a very diverse set of friends including kids who've lived all over the world because of parents in the military or foreign service.

The large size has its negatives but overall they are happy, seem to work hard and are challenged (taking a mix of AP and IB classes), have good friends, and when I've needed to address an issue the teachers have been very helpful. My DD also missed a lot of school this year because of illness and her teachers have been great about working with her to get caught up on work. I've never felt the need to explore private HS's as an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering either Yorktown HS or private school for our children and would love some candid feedback from those with experience at Yorktown. And, even better if some parents have experience with both Yorktown and private high schools. We love the idea of public school and never thought we'd consider private, but the growing class size is concerning. (incoming class of 9th graders predicted to be 660 kids)[/quote

Private, full-stop. We are stuck at Yorktown because my child did not get into private school. It has been even worse than Williamsburg, which I didn't think was possible.

+1 When I talk to people in person they tell a very different story about the Arlington high schools (kids currently in APS HS) than people on this board.

I know so many kids heading to private HS next Fall.

LOL. Right. That's why the schools are overcrowded -- nobody's going to them!

Cut me a break.

Unless they applied catholic they have no idea yet if they are going to private and won't until tomorrow....

They are over-crowded, but out of the 20 HS age kids in a 3 block radius in my Arlington neighborhood. 15 are in private/or going for 9th.

It is neighborhood dependent. We are N. Arl- WL zoned.

What did you do, go door to door and take a census? You have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ what was driving it for us was seeing my kids bored. They never had to work in APS MS and received straight As. 7 HS credits obtained and I doubt they could write a coherent essay. Yes- they score off the charts on SOLS. Yes- they could probably regurgitate material for an AP exam. We were looking for something past teach to the test. My kids also need to learn how to work. It will be a rude awakening, but I want them prepared for life. Granted, their GPA is likely going to be a lot lower in private so it's not about college admission. It's about learning.

I actually debated this, but fell on the side of 'learning/being prepared'. My kid will most likely be getting grades below an 'A' for the first time in his life. With Naviance, that may ultimately hurt him vs a 4.7 GPA from public, but I don't care about that. I was really dissatisfied with 'substance' in public and like the depth the teachers can go into, and question and debate at our private HS.

We just got sick of APS. MS you either are bored off your *ss in math that is way below your current level or you are pushed ahead 3 grades and not learning 'solid' foundation. I don't like the standards based learning. I don't like that they 'experiment' on the students and then abandon something when your kid was caught in the middle of it once they see it is having detrimental effects. I am all for an 'old-school' traditional education, not the current flavor of the day.

This happens in public and private schools all around the country and has for a very long time.

It turns out that a patchy education is not the detriment that it seems in the thick of things and is, in fact, fairly common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those providing feedback on Yorktown experiences. Perhaps most shocking is that the school has no bathroom doors! What? Is that true?
And, no outdoor time?
Does the size of the school prevent students from trying new activities/sports? Only the exceptional on sports teams, in art, etc?

Truth on bathroom doors...had a vaping problem

My kids are in elementary, but I went to the yorktown basketball game the other night and there were doors on the bathroom stalls. The door might have been propped open to the bathroom.

The stalls have doors IIRC, but the main doors to the bathrooms were removed or kept propped open.

Yorktown alum here. Used to smoke in the bathrooms. It’s kind of a right of passage. Poor kids.