Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy - Alexandria

[Anonymous]

Can anybody tell me about this school?

[Anonymous]

basically, they tried to make one of the Alexandria public school like a private school -- uniforms, mandated smaller class sizes than in other Alexandria elementaries (max of 17, maybe?), etc. From what I hear it's working, and the lucky few whose kids go there love it. There's some twist to the admissions process, where there used to be a lottery of some sort, but I think its reputation has gotten good enough that many people are moving into the attendance zone so that there are no spaces for lottery students. Of course, the graduates then go to one of the giant Alexandria middle schools starting in 6th grade . . .

[Anonymous]

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Anonymous]

I had friends who sent their children there via lottery and loved it. My understanding is that it is currently over capacity with in-boundary kids and siblings of children who got in via lottery in previous years, so there is no longer a lottery. I guess that could change as the lottery "siblings" thin out.

[Anonymous]

Fabulous - call the school and go for a visit - they are very welcoming and amazing principal.

[Anonymous]

Great school. Wanted to comment on "mandated smaller class size". The reason LCTA has smaller size classes is because the classrooms are physically smaller. Superintendent Sherman mentioned this at a PTA meeting when someone questioned how much larger we would get over the years. He responded that the school was built during segregation for blacks only. Bill Euile our current mayor attended LCTA.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria City resident - and personally I don't think its any better than the rest of the craptastic city schools. I think the parents delude themselves into believing its the greatest because they have no choice. They bought during the height of the bubble, can't afford private school, can't afford to sell.

Of course, I smile and nod and say nice things when my nieghbors go on and on about it and as soon as one of them says something dumb like "it's just like being in a private school" I am quick to say "no, it's not even close actually" And yes, my child does go to private school.

[Anonymous]

Our neighbors' kids went to Lyles Crouch-- the did get in through the lottery some years back (we're in Maury district). The parents were VERY disappointed and ended up taking their kids out and sending them to private school. FWIW.

[Anonymous]

what private school did they send the kids to?

[Anonymous]

I am interested in knowing as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria City resident - and personally I don't think its any better than the rest of the craptastic city schools. I think the parents delude themselves into believing its the greatest because they have no choice. They bought during the height of the bubble, can't afford private school, can't afford to sell.

Of course, I smile and nod and say nice things when my nieghbors go on and on about it and as soon as one of them says something dumb like "it's just like being in a private school" I am quick to say "no, it's not even close actually" And yes, my child does go to private school.

I always think it is classy brag about the amount of money one has and to put down other people. I must have missed the lesson that said it was okay to belittle people when I went to private school.

[Anonymous]

Wow - what a weirdo poster - I'd like to know what private school admitted a family like THAT. Yuck!

(LCTA is a fabulous school by the way. Filled with wonderful, lovely families and kids. And - yes, it is absolutely as good or better then most privates. And, just like the best privates, there are sometimes families that leave for various reasons.)

[Anonymous]

I would have to disagree that it is as good or better than private school. It is small, has decent parent involvement and the children wear uniforms. I think the similarities with private school end there. It's nice that the neighbors love and support their school. That is a win win for everyone. The past principals and parents who turned the school around should be given credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I would have to disagree that it is as good or better than private school. It is small, has decent parent involvement and the children wear uniforms. I think the similarities with private school end there. It's nice that the neighbors love and support their school. That is a win win for everyone. The past principals and parents who turned the school around should be given credit.

This is an impossible argument. Is it as good or better than a private school?

Which school? A $10K private? A $20K private? A $30K private?

I think parents who pay to send their child to private school generally think private schools are better than public schools.

[Anonymous]

Great school. Our child is an alum and is now in private. Sounds like previous poster has no idea what they are talking about and I doubt that their child ever set foot in the school. I think DC benefited greatly from LCTA foundation and am very thankful they did not attend current private for all 12 years.