FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

The $281 million in savings is just repeating what staff claimed before the board voted to approve the deal. No one actually thinks that’s a real number.

$400 million to renovate/expand Centreville. This is certainly a whole lot cheaper. And, I doubt it will reach anywhere that total even if they have to do some work.

Staff should have been on this from the announcement in May. Reid certainly should have been on it.

But, just looking at the FCPS website and reading Reid's emails, it seems to me that the day to day education of our students is not her priority.

She likes to make a splash and she is accomplishing a belly flop.

This school is needed as a traditional high school. It may be smaller than we would like, but it can work to solve overcrowding in this area without sending kids all over creation on a school bus for hours every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

Are you saying TJHSST should be returned to community use?

Because Chantilly and Oakton are two of the four pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ last year (McLean - 133; Chantilly - 119; Langley - 116; Oakton - 101).

Jefferson was a community high school once. It inconvenienced some when their neighborhood school got closed but it was deemed to be in the greater good. It seems a bit hypocritical to criticize magnet schools but then be among the top pyramids for TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

The $281 million in savings is just repeating what staff claimed before the board voted to approve the deal. No one actually thinks that’s a real number.

$400 million to renovate/expand Centreville. This is certainly a whole lot cheaper. And, I doubt it will reach anywhere that total even if they have to do some work.

Staff should have been on this from the announcement in May. Reid certainly should have been on it.

But, just looking at the FCPS website and reading Reid's emails, it seems to me that the day to day education of our students is not her priority.

She likes to make a splash and she is accomplishing a belly flop.

This school is needed as a traditional high school. It may be smaller than we would like, but it can work to solve overcrowding in this area without sending kids all over creation on a school bus for hours every day.

The last estimate for Centreville was $296 million, not $400 million, and that was to both renovate the school and expand it to 3000 seats. Its current capacity, excluding the modular there now, is under 2000 seats, so that was a big expansion.

At this point, we don't know what the real cost would be for KAA to open as either a magnet or a neighborhood school, or how many students it would serve.

[Anonymous]

No one at Chantilly would want the modular to be removed! The mod has WINDOWS! CHS is basically a concrete box with the exception of the library and a few math rooms. Believe it holds 18 classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one at Chantilly would want the modular to be removed! The mod has WINDOWS! CHS is basically a concrete box with the exception of the library and a few math rooms. Believe it holds 18 classrooms.

14, not 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one at Chantilly would want the modular to be removed! The mod has WINDOWS! CHS is basically a concrete box with the exception of the library and a few math rooms. Believe it holds 18 classrooms.

14, not 18.

I don't think anyone wants to leave Chantilly. People need to ask why? It has good test results--but is not in the elite.

I'll tell you why: it is and has been well run. It has good teachers. Every student that attends (except for some who pupil place) lives very close and is able to take advantage of extra-curricular activities without worrying much about transportation home.
Bus rides are reasonable.
And, there is a cohort for almost everyone. And, there is diversity, too.
And, yes, because of its size, it can offer a lot of options. However, that is no guarantee to get in a class.
But, that is not the attraction of the school. It is the community feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one at Chantilly would want the modular to be removed! The mod has WINDOWS! CHS is basically a concrete box with the exception of the library and a few math rooms. Believe it holds 18 classrooms.

14, not 18.

I don't think anyone wants to leave Chantilly. People need to ask why? It has good test results--but is not in the elite.

I'll tell you why: it is and has been well run. It has good teachers. Every student that attends (except for some who pupil place) lives very close and is able to take advantage of extra-curricular activities without worrying much about transportation home.
Bus rides are reasonable.
And, there is a cohort for almost everyone. And, there is diversity, too.
And, yes, because of its size, it can offer a lot of options. However, that is no guarantee to get in a class.
But, that is not the attraction of the school. It is the community feel.

Interesting, since moving kids out of Chantilly was one of the main rationales offered by several School Board members when they voted to acquire KAA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one at Chantilly would want the modular to be removed! The mod has WINDOWS! CHS is basically a concrete box with the exception of the library and a few math rooms. Believe it holds 18 classrooms.

14, not 18.

I don't think anyone wants to leave Chantilly. People need to ask why? It has good test results--but is not in the elite.

I'll tell you why: it is and has been well run. It has good teachers. Every student that attends (except for some who pupil place) lives very close and is able to take advantage of extra-curricular activities without worrying much about transportation home.
Bus rides are reasonable.
And, there is a cohort for almost everyone. And, there is diversity, too.
And, yes, because of its size, it can offer a lot of options. However, that is no guarantee to get in a class.
But, that is not the attraction of the school. It is the community feel.

Interesting, since moving kids out of Chantilly was one of the main rationales offered by several School Board members when they voted to acquire KAA.

Read the directions for the Boundary review. The School Board wants to reduce the attendance at Chantis one of the reasons given for the study.
But, if Chantilly kids from KAA area are going to be moved, they don't want a school that requires long bus rides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

Are you saying TJHSST should be returned to community use?

Because Chantilly and Oakton are two of the four pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ last year (McLean - 133; Chantilly - 119; Langley - 116; Oakton - 101).

Jefferson was a community high school once. It inconvenienced some when their neighborhood school got closed but it was deemed to be in the greater good. It seems a bit hypocritical to criticize magnet schools but then be among the top pyramids for TJ.

TJ is right by Annandale HS — 3.5 miles away. So the transportation isn’t that far for kids in what would be the neighborhood lines of TJ.

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

Are you saying TJHSST should be returned to community use?

Because Chantilly and Oakton are two of the four pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ last year (McLean - 133; Chantilly - 119; Langley - 116; Oakton - 101).

Jefferson was a community high school once. It inconvenienced some when their neighborhood school got closed but it was deemed to be in the greater good. It seems a bit hypocritical to criticize magnet schools but then be among the top pyramids for TJ.

TJ is right by Annandale HS — 3.5 miles away. So the transportation isn’t that far for kids in what would be the neighborhood lines of TJ.

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

Yessss!!!! We’re Floris and live less than a mile from KAA site. But they send us 7 miles away to Westfield.

[Anonymous]

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

And, all are close to capacity right now. And, growing. If they pass this by as a traditional high school, what are they going to do in the future for space?

And, I know some are projected to lose membership--but have you driven in the Chantilly/Westfield area? Lots of new construction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

Are you saying TJHSST should be returned to community use?

Because Chantilly and Oakton are two of the four pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ last year (McLean - 133; Chantilly - 119; Langley - 116; Oakton - 101).

Jefferson was a community high school once. It inconvenienced some when their neighborhood school got closed but it was deemed to be in the greater good. It seems a bit hypocritical to criticize magnet schools but then be among the top pyramids for TJ.

TJ is right by Annandale HS — 3.5 miles away. So the transportation isn’t that far for kids in what would be the neighborhood lines of TJ.

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

There are kids in neighborhoods that used to attend Jefferson who now have to cross both 395 and 495 to get to Edison. That’s arguably more problematic than the commute for any kids in western Fairfax.

But you never cared about that. Your pyramids send lots of your kids to TJ and now you want a new neighborhood school that will cost a lot and increase the excess capacity at some western high schools as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a general contractor but it sounds like they need to take down some non-load bearing walls and reconfigure classroom spaces. I am not certain how that gets to be millions of dollars but, again, not a contractor. Maybe someone who is can chime in on how much that takes.

Most of the expensive construction have been at schools that needed massive renovations that repaired structural issues and then expanded buildings. I can see how that can cost a lot of money. There is nothing structurally wrong with KAA, it is mainly reconfiguring existing space so it should be less expensive.

If it were so simple and cost so little, why wouldn’t we have heard about that already?

If it were so difficult and would cost so much, wouldn't we have heard about that already?

Of course not. FCPS would delay that news as long as possible. At this looking they haven’t even managed to put out a release that the sale closed, much less clarified how the facility will be used or the total costs.

The purchase has already been widely publicized. Why are you so mad that an official press release didn’t go out? Who cares?

https://northernvirginiamag.com/news/2025/06/17/fcps-approves-150m-purchase-of-king-abdullah-academy-private-school-in-herndon/

Melanie Meren took Reid to task at the work session for not getting a press release out. She said the communications had been poor and that as a result she wasn’t able to answer basic questions from her constituents.

That report is from June. You would think they would put out a presser.

Some people would love for it to be a magnet: The Fairfax Federation, for one. They have lobbied for one for years--never mind that the role of a school system is to educate all students. And, honestly, shouldn't they at least attempt to educate them in their locality as much as possible?

Notice that they give huge lip service to equity, yet claim that high school kids are not watching younger siblings after school. Maybe, that is true, but it seems likely to me that it does fall on older siblings to help out in these poorer families.

They also do not pay attention to the fact that some kids want--and need--after school jobs. Good luck with that in Fairfax County.

Are you saying TJHSST should be returned to community use?

Because Chantilly and Oakton are two of the four pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ last year (McLean - 133; Chantilly - 119; Langley - 116; Oakton - 101).

Jefferson was a community high school once. It inconvenienced some when their neighborhood school got closed but it was deemed to be in the greater good. It seems a bit hypocritical to criticize magnet schools but then be among the top pyramids for TJ.

TJ is right by Annandale HS — 3.5 miles away. So the transportation isn’t that far for kids in what would be the neighborhood lines of TJ.

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

Yessss!!!! We’re Floris and live less than a mile from KAA site. But they send us 7 miles away to Westfield.

Floris wanted to stay at Westfield back in 2008 and not get moved to South Lakes. They were only partially successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If they make KAA a magnet, then they’re shipping the kids who live right there off to South Lakes, Westfield or Oakton which are all significantly farther. Chantilly is closer but is already overcrowded and is already (and proposed to) turn close neighborhoods away because of capacity.

And, all are close to capacity right now. And, growing. If they pass this by as a traditional high school, what are they going to do in the future for space?

And, I know some are projected to lose membership--but have you driven in the Chantilly/Westfield area? Lots of new construction.

Fewer HS/college-age kids on the horizon, not more:

https://www.highereddive.com/news/decline-high-school-graduates-demographic-cliff-wiche-charts/738281/