Alexandria - John Adams Dual Language program

[Anonymous]

We're strongly considering enrolling our son in the dual language program at John Adams Elementary in the fall. We're zoned for Samuel Tucker and will be checking it out, as well, but curious if any families who do not speak Spanish at home can speak to their experience at JAES.

[Anonymous]

We gave John Adams some strong consideration when we were zoned for Tucker. DH and I felt the school was way too big, and the Immersion program wasn't as comprehensive and organized as we wanted. We were more impressed with Mt Vernon, but didn't have great confidence we could get placed there due to where we lived. Ultimately we moved into Arlington for the Immersion program there. Just felt like it was better from top to bottom: teachers, administration, focus and parental involvement. Plus there was the option to continue the program into middle & high school, which ACPS didn't offer. It's been more than a few years, so that might have changed by now, not sure.

[Anonymous]

We know several families there who like. There seems to be an active contingent among the PTA in that program. I would definitely reach out to them about it. Tucker may give you some priority, but last I heard only MV was able to take kids from the lottery into the dual language. That may change with redistricting coming in this fall.

Just to note that it is dual language, not immersion like PP referenced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We know several families there who like. There seems to be an active contingent among the PTA in that program. I would definitely reach out to them about it. Tucker may give you some priority, but last I heard only MV was able to take kids from the lottery into the dual language. That may change with redistricting coming in this fall.

Just to note that it is dual language, not immersion like PP referenced.

As a general practice, ACPS no longer lets West End students administratively transfer into East End schools without some special reason, unless Jeff Houston has open seats. MV might be out of reach.

[Anonymous]

John Adams has a lot of internal programs to help students, whether they're learning Spanish or English. But it does have more than 1,000 students, so you have to be ok with a very big elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We know several families there who like. There seems to be an active contingent among the PTA in that program. I would definitely reach out to them about it. Tucker may give you some priority, but last I heard only MV was able to take kids from the lottery into the dual language. That may change with redistricting coming in this fall.

Just to note that it is dual language, not immersion like PP referenced.

As a general practice, ACPS no longer lets West End students administratively transfer into East End schools without some special reason, unless Jeff Houston has open seats. MV might be out of reach.

This isn't an admin transfer. Its a programmatic one. I agree though that Adams would be preferable if you live in the Hammond catchment.

[Anonymous]

Understand that you are interested in dual language, but do visit Tucker. Great school, and families really like the modified calendar.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. OP here. I had been overlooking the school size at JA, but 1,000 kids in K-5 is pretty large... that may not give me the feeling I was hoping for. Hoping that the program has become more organized. DS is currently in a bilingual preschool so I'd really like to continue with regular exposure to Spanish. We will look at Tucker, too. I like the idea of the extended school year and we may go that direction and find ways to supplement the Spanish outside of school. Has anyone found Spanish language after school programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. OP here. I had been overlooking the school size at JA, but 1,000 kids in K-5 is pretty large... that may not give me the feeling I was hoping for. Hoping that the program has become more organized. DS is currently in a bilingual preschool so I'd really like to continue with regular exposure to Spanish. We will look at Tucker, too. I like the idea of the extended school year and we may go that direction and find ways to supplement the Spanish outside of school. Has anyone found Spanish language after school programs?

It's been a while since I've been at Tucker, but I think they might have had some Spanish language after school stuff. Run by outside group with arrangement.
Also, there is a new elementary school opening in the fall, due to the growing enrollment on the west end. The bulk of students will be coming from John Adams and William Ramsay. So, to your concerns, JA will still be a big elementary school, but not quite as big!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We gave John Adams some strong consideration when we were zoned for Tucker. DH and I felt the school was way too big, and the Immersion program wasn't as comprehensive and organized as we wanted. We were more impressed with Mt Vernon, but didn't have great confidence we could get placed there due to where we lived. Ultimately we moved into Arlington for the Immersion program there. Just felt like it was better from top to bottom: teachers, administration, focus and parental involvement. Plus there was the option to continue the program into middle & high school, which ACPS didn't offer. It's been more than a few years, so that might have changed by now, not sure.

We'd really like to wait to move for at least another 3-4 years, although it's starting to seem like either moving or private school are options we need to consider more seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We know several families there who like. There seems to be an active contingent among the PTA in that program. I would definitely reach out to them about it. Tucker may give you some priority, but last I heard only MV was able to take kids from the lottery into the dual language. That may change with redistricting coming in this fall.

Just to note that it is dual language, not immersion like PP referenced.

As a general practice, ACPS no longer lets West End students administratively transfer into East End schools without some special reason, unless Jeff Houston has open seats. MV might be out of reach.

This isn't an admin transfer. Its a programmatic one. I agree though that Adams would be preferable if you live in the Hammond catchment.

Two things:

1- It's ridiculous that administrative transfers and programmatic transfers are treated differently. Why should one family be forced to attend an unaccredited school (JH) while another family gets to choose between multiple, accredited schools because they prefer a language program? Little Timmy has to go to a failing school but little Susie gets to pick between several high performing schools because she wants to learn Spanish?

2- JH is only at something like 60% capacity. Filling it with white kids that will bring up the scores (and thereby gain accreditation) was the true goal of the redistricting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, everyone. OP here. I had been overlooking the school size at JA, but 1,000 kids in K-5 is pretty large... that may not give me the feeling I was hoping for. Hoping that the program has become more organized. DS is currently in a bilingual preschool so I'd really like to continue with regular exposure to Spanish. We will look at Tucker, too. I like the idea of the extended school year and we may go that direction and find ways to supplement the Spanish outside of school. Has anyone found Spanish language after school programs?

It's been a while since I've been at Tucker, but I think they might have had some Spanish language after school stuff. Run by outside group with arrangement.
Also, there is a new elementary school opening in the fall, due to the growing enrollment on the west end. The bulk of students will be coming from John Adams and William Ramsay. So, to your concerns, JA will still be a big elementary school, but not quite as big!

Thanks! Just found information on Baroody camps... that might be good, as long as they give enough play time during the day. I hate for the little guy to be tired and then shoved into Spanish... also not sure how they run those, but it shows up as K-5 intermediate Spanish... having that range of ages in the class might be a whole other issue. And there's no clear option for advanced Spanish, since he'll already know colors, weather, part of the body, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP also check out Edu Futuro's Spanish classes. They're on Saturday mornings, which tends to work better for young brains (not as burned out from a day at school.) They separate the kids based on their age/grade. We have our 4-year old in the class now, and he loves it!

http://www.edu-futuro.org/spanish-classes/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP also check out Edu Futuro's Spanish classes. They're on Saturday mornings, which tends to work better for young brains (not as burned out from a day at school.) They separate the kids based on their age/grade. We have our 4-year old in the class now, and he loves it!

http://www.edu-futuro.org/spanish-classes/

Thank you! I'll check this out... totally agree on the Saturday aspect. I'd rather have him outside or doing something more physical after school if we can.

[Anonymous]

We’ve been in the program for several years. JA is an under performing school that is way overcrowded. You feel like a sardine there. I’d say the Dual program teachers have been fine, but the program is very small. Because the local middle school doesn’t offer a dual program, our plan is to go private at that time.