Moving from FCPS to APS

[Anonymous]

I would like to hear from those who moved from FCPS to APS. What was the reason for the move and pros and cons in your experience of both FCPS and APS.

[Anonymous]

Let me go pop some popcorn now...

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

We have no room. Please don't.

[Anonymous]

Stay put. We're full.

[Anonymous]

AAP debate in 3..2..1...

[Anonymous]

How old is your child?

If in HS, and you don't mind that Arlington does GT (not AAP), I could see some advantages. Some of the lower performing HS in FC are worse than any of the high schools in AC. Some of the FC HS are larger than any of the three comprehensive HS in AC.

If in MS, I'd approach cautiously. The APS MS are tapping out on capacity. Children are getting lost in the system. A few of the HS are pretty good, but some are rocky (drugs are available, schools over capacity and disorganized).

If your child is in elementary school or younger, be very aware that the APS has not addressed its biggest challenges and over the next 10 years, the overcapacity problems are on track to become a serious disaster. There is talk about meeting capacity strain with shift schedules and online learning. Most parents I know feel that the solutions that are available have been ignored, making this scenario an increasing likelihood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child?

If in HS, and you don't mind that Arlington does GT (not AAP), I could see some advantages. Some of the lower performing HS in FC are worse than any of the high schools in AC. Some of the FC HS are larger than any of the three comprehensive HS in AC.

If in MS, I'd approach cautiously. The APS MS are tapping out on capacity. Children are getting lost in the system. A few of the HS are pretty good, but some are rocky (drugs are available, schools over capacity and disorganized).

If your child is in elementary school or younger, be very aware that the APS has not addressed its biggest challenges and over the next 10 years, the overcapacity problems are on track to become a serious disaster. There is talk about meeting capacity strain with shift schedules and online learning. Most parents I know feel that the solutions that are available have been ignored, making this scenario an increasing likelihood.

This. We are happy with DC's elementary school but intend to leave the school system by middle school. I have no faith that APS staff and school board will have the answers and capacity needed by the time our child needs an appropriate educational setting in MS and HS.

It's a good system, and your child will most likely be fine, but if I weren't already in Arlington I wouldn't be jumping up and down trying to move here right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child?

If in HS, and you don't mind that Arlington does GT (not AAP), I could see some advantages. Some of the lower performing HS in FC are worse than any of the high schools in AC. Some of the FC HS are larger than any of the three comprehensive HS in AC.

If in MS, I'd approach cautiously. The APS MS are tapping out on capacity. Children are getting lost in the system. A few of the HS are pretty good, but some are rocky (drugs are available, schools over capacity and disorganized).

If your child is in elementary school or younger, be very aware that the APS has not addressed its biggest challenges and over the next 10 years, the overcapacity problems are on track to become a serious disaster. There is talk about meeting capacity strain with shift schedules and online learning. Most parents I know feel that the solutions that are available have been ignored, making this scenario an increasing likelihood.

Wakefield has lower SAT scores than any high school in FCPS except Mount Vernon.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above. I love our ES, but I am looking into options for MS and beyond. My child will never really benefit from any additional seats because staff waited too long to act.

[Anonymous]

Why would you give up AAP for the non-existent services that APS offers?

[Anonymous]

Go. We're full, make room for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you give up AAP for the non-existent services that APS offers?

DP, but not every FCPS kid is in AAP...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you give up AAP for the non-existent services that APS offers?

DP, but not every FCPS kid is in AAP...

And APS offers G/T services, just not on the AAP model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child?

If in HS, and you don't mind that Arlington does GT (not AAP), I could see some advantages. Some of the lower performing HS in FC are worse than any of the high schools in AC. Some of the FC HS are larger than any of the three comprehensive HS in AC.

If in MS, I'd approach cautiously. The APS MS are tapping out on capacity. Children are getting lost in the system. A few of the HS are pretty good, but some are rocky (drugs are available, schools over capacity and disorganized).

If your child is in elementary school or younger, be very aware that the APS has not addressed its biggest challenges and over the next 10 years, the overcapacity problems are on track to become a serious disaster. There is talk about meeting capacity strain with shift schedules and online learning. Most parents I know feel that the solutions that are available have been ignored, making this scenario an increasing likelihood.

Wakefield has lower SAT scores than any high school in FCPS except Mount Vernon.

True but on a positive noted Wakefiled does have higher scores than TC Williams - so they at least beat somebody!