Alexandria public schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a question, is Mcarthur considered a bad school? It gets rating of 8 so I'm confused. What about Bishop Ireton?
Thanks

It actually gets a rating of 6 and has for a few years.

Like the PP said, it's an ok school.

I'm no ACPS fan, but those ratings aren't worth spit.

+1

Frankly, most of the "data" people love to cite/rely on so heavily here is garbage. If I hear about FARMS one more time...

I don't think people here realize that like 75% of a child's ability to do well in a particular school comes down to parental involvement, which in DCUM world is pretty high.

The ratings are actually just a formulation of the SOL scores.

And what I don't think you realize is that "parental involvement" doesn't help in a school district like ACPS unless by parental involvement you mean the parents pay for outside tutoring or education centers because that's what is needed to keep the kids motivated and learning.

The ACPS curriculum is really horrible. Truly bad. When compared side by side to Arlington and Fairfax, it is just inadequate. The previous superintendent hired some consultants to write a curriculum instead of doing some smart like emulating the curriculums in this next door counties that are obviously getting results.

What results and what defines adequate? Just curious. Not an ACPS booster, but I do like to know why people here react they way they do. I went to subpar schools in NY and ended up at an Ivy. My parents did get me tutoring when needed, recognizing that public schools are for "the masses" and wont cater to your child like you would expect of a private when you pay 30K.

As I stated, when compared side by side next to Arlington and Fairfax, the ACPS curriculum is less expansive, general and contains less actual learning material in the classroom. The curriculums are not secret and are available in an easy to read format online on each of these school system websites.

[Anonymous]

ACPS caters to the lowest common denominator, in our experience, with less focus on helping the top and, especially, the middle succeed. "Honors" classes are available to everyone at the middle school level. So then what makes them so special? Immersion programs are based out of necessity due to a certain demographic reaching the achievement gap, and TAG programs are limited by comparison. The kids who get into the TAP program and AP programs are probably going to do just fine. But it's the middle kids...who aren't focused on because they aren't the bottom, and may not be capable enough to get into the top, who will struggle, especially children who have learning disabilities like dyslexia. Imagine a dyslexic child being forced into immersion when English is their first language.

It's a combination of curriculum and resource allocation. Spending millions and millions to boost a school that is ranked in the bottom 1% in the state vs. boosting the well performing schools (which are losing space and resources due to overcrowding). Spending tax dollars to build a day care center at TC Williams High school (for the babies of students) instead of spending those same tax dollars to partner with TJ High School, so gifted academic students can achieve.

Wise choices vs. Poor Choices

Yes, kids can do well in ACPS with extremely active parents who want to fill the gap with tutoring, extra curricular activities, supplementation, and support.

But why do all this, when you can move to Fairfax or Arlington, pay a similar housing price, and have a much improved curriculum with its priorities correct....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, as an Alexandria/Old Town resident, I can tell you honestly the bottom line is that you don't move to Alexandria City for the public schools. Anyone who tells you otherwise is delusional.

You DO move to McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, and North Arlington for public schools. But not Alexandria City. Or I would wager to say even the part of Alexandria that is in Fairfax County, south of GW Parkway and Old Town. The area is beautiful and elementary schools are decent, but beyond that, middle schools and high schools are meh. That's not to say that students don't do well at those schools, but they are neither nationally ranked nor ranked well even in the state.

As of now, residents aren't eligible for Thomas Jefferson, though the city has discussed the possibility of forming a relationship with the school vis-a-vis paying money to Fairfax County.

Anyone who moves to Alexandria does so because it's a historic, vibrant, ecclectic, and unique community in NoVA. It's location along the Potomac River is unparallelled, and there is a great sense of community in Old Town/Del Ray, with lots of community feel and variety of activities, shops, places, museums to visit. There are huge supporters of the AREA and, thus, supporters of the local schools. Many of our neighbors send their children to public school and have been pleased with the outcome. But....I would be hard pressed to say people move to Alexandria BECAUSE of schools. Not the case. We know several folks who have left the area because of the schools....despite all the other benefits the community has. Like anything else, it's a cost/benefit analysis, depending on what your priorities are.

We stay in Alexandria, despite the public schools, because we love the area itself and the strong sense of community, walkability, ease of commute to CD, history, culture, diversity, and opportunities for things to do near the water. We have considered moving to McLean or Arlington, but just cannot bear to part with Alexandria, despite the schools. So we are giving it a go and seeing how our kids do.

I could have written this post. Our daughter just started kindergarten at Macarthur. (We live in Rosemont.) Granted, it has only been one week, but I am already concerned. The teacher is disorganized and scattered. The saving grace is that my daughter will experience much more diversity in this classroom than she did in her pre-school. And that is important to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as an Alexandria/Old Town resident, I can tell you honestly the bottom line is that you don't move to Alexandria City for the public schools. Anyone who tells you otherwise is delusional.

You DO move to McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, and North Arlington for public schools. But not Alexandria City. Or I would wager to say even the part of Alexandria that is in Fairfax County, south of GW Parkway and Old Town. The area is beautiful and elementary schools are decent, but beyond that, middle schools and high schools are meh. That's not to say that students don't do well at those schools, but they are neither nationally ranked nor ranked well even in the state.

As of now, residents aren't eligible for Thomas Jefferson, though the city has discussed the possibility of forming a relationship with the school vis-a-vis paying money to Fairfax County.

Anyone who moves to Alexandria does so because it's a historic, vibrant, ecclectic, and unique community in NoVA. It's location along the Potomac River is unparallelled, and there is a great sense of community in Old Town/Del Ray, with lots of community feel and variety of activities, shops, places, museums to visit. There are huge supporters of the AREA and, thus, supporters of the local schools. Many of our neighbors send their children to public school and have been pleased with the outcome. But....I would be hard pressed to say people move to Alexandria BECAUSE of schools. Not the case. We know several folks who have left the area because of the schools....despite all the other benefits the community has. Like anything else, it's a cost/benefit analysis, depending on what your priorities are.

We stay in Alexandria, despite the public schools, because we love the area itself and the strong sense of community, walkability, ease of commute to CD, history, culture, diversity, and opportunities for things to do near the water. We have considered moving to McLean or Arlington, but just cannot bear to part with Alexandria, despite the schools. So we are giving it a go and seeing how our kids do.

I could have written this post. Our daughter just started kindergarten at Macarthur. (We live in Rosemont.) Granted, it has only been one week, but I am already concerned. The teacher is disorganized and scattered. The saving grace is that my daughter will experience much more diversity in this classroom than she did in her pre-school. And that is important to me.

Ask yourself why that diversity is important to you and be sure you're not romanticizing something.

My dd attended MacArthur. In first grade, she ended up being seated next to a boy from the projects who proceeded to regale her in explicit detail how to smoke pot in a bowl and how to be arrested, since he had witnessed both activities on a regular basis. She came home one day and demonstrated how to be frisked. (My dd, who is calm and a good student, was frequently seated next to badly behaving children with the expectation that she would be a good influence. Instead, she ended up coming home frequently complaining of being distracted). We had other similar incidents along the way.

Is this the sort of value you're looking for in your quest for diversity? Or do you have some sort of bennetton fantasy of little brown and white children playing nicely together under a rainbow while their Asian teacher strums a guitar and sings kumbaya? What, really, do you think this diversity adds to this classroom and the educational experience? I'm genuinely curious, because I often hear this "diversity is important to me" by people who don't really know what it is they're saying or hoping to achieve.

[Anonymous]

PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as an Alexandria/Old Town resident, I can tell you honestly the bottom line is that you don't move to Alexandria City for the public schools. Anyone who tells you otherwise is delusional.

You DO move to McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, and North Arlington for public schools. But not Alexandria City. Or I would wager to say even the part of Alexandria that is in Fairfax County, south of GW Parkway and Old Town. The area is beautiful and elementary schools are decent, but beyond that, middle schools and high schools are meh. That's not to say that students don't do well at those schools, but they are neither nationally ranked nor ranked well even in the state.

As of now, residents aren't eligible for Thomas Jefferson, though the city has discussed the possibility of forming a relationship with the school vis-a-vis paying money to Fairfax County.

Anyone who moves to Alexandria does so because it's a historic, vibrant, ecclectic, and unique community in NoVA. It's location along the Potomac River is unparallelled, and there is a great sense of community in Old Town/Del Ray, with lots of community feel and variety of activities, shops, places, museums to visit. There are huge supporters of the AREA and, thus, supporters of the local schools. Many of our neighbors send their children to public school and have been pleased with the outcome. But....I would be hard pressed to say people move to Alexandria BECAUSE of schools. Not the case. We know several folks who have left the area because of the schools....despite all the other benefits the community has. Like anything else, it's a cost/benefit analysis, depending on what your priorities are.

We stay in Alexandria, despite the public schools, because we love the area itself and the strong sense of community, walkability, ease of commute to CD, history, culture, diversity, and opportunities for things to do near the water. We have considered moving to McLean or Arlington, but just cannot bear to part with Alexandria, despite the schools. So we are giving it a go and seeing how our kids do.

I could have written this post. Our daughter just started kindergarten at Macarthur. (We live in Rosemont.) Granted, it has only been one week, but I am already concerned. The teacher is disorganized and scattered. The saving grace is that my daughter will experience much more diversity in this classroom than she did in her pre-school. And that is important to me.

Ask yourself why that diversity is important to you and be sure you're not romanticizing something.

My dd attended MacArthur. In first grade, she ended up being seated next to a boy from the projects who proceeded to regale her in explicit detail how to smoke pot in a bowl and how to be arrested, since he had witnessed both activities on a regular basis. She came home one day and demonstrated how to be frisked. (My dd, who is calm and a good student, was frequently seated next to badly behaving children with the expectation that she would be a good influence. Instead, she ended up coming home frequently complaining of being distracted). We had other similar incidents along the way.

Is this the sort of value you're looking for in your quest for diversity? Or do you have some sort of bennetton fantasy of little brown and white children playing nicely together under a rainbow while their Asian teacher strums a guitar and sings kumbaya? What, really, do you think this diversity adds to this classroom and the educational experience? I'm genuinely curious, because I often hear this "diversity is important to me" by people who don't really know what it is they're saying or hoping to achieve.

Umm ok. So you are a racist. Let me clue you in to the fact that there are some white children with bad behavior and some "brown" children with good behavior. I assume you can't afford private or Arlington so little snowflake has to go to school with the blacks and the poors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

Your ad hominem attack is very convincing, pp.

I'm not in the least bit concerned about what you think of me. I relayed a statement of facts. I made no racial slurs. I didn't even comment on the race of the boy in question, nor do you know my race. You're the one making all the assumptions. You point a finger at me, but when you do that, three point back at you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, as an Alexandria/Old Town resident, I can tell you honestly the bottom line is that you don't move to Alexandria City for the public schools. Anyone who tells you otherwise is delusional.

You DO move to McLean, Vienna, Falls Church, and North Arlington for public schools. But not Alexandria City. Or I would wager to say even the part of Alexandria that is in Fairfax County, south of GW Parkway and Old Town. The area is beautiful and elementary schools are decent, but beyond that, middle schools and high schools are meh. That's not to say that students don't do well at those schools, but they are neither nationally ranked nor ranked well even in the state.

As of now, residents aren't eligible for Thomas Jefferson, though the city has discussed the possibility of forming a relationship with the school vis-a-vis paying money to Fairfax County.

Anyone who moves to Alexandria does so because it's a historic, vibrant, ecclectic, and unique community in NoVA. It's location along the Potomac River is unparallelled, and there is a great sense of community in Old Town/Del Ray, with lots of community feel and variety of activities, shops, places, museums to visit. There are huge supporters of the AREA and, thus, supporters of the local schools. Many of our neighbors send their children to public school and have been pleased with the outcome. But....I would be hard pressed to say people move to Alexandria BECAUSE of schools. Not the case. We know several folks who have left the area because of the schools....despite all the other benefits the community has. Like anything else, it's a cost/benefit analysis, depending on what your priorities are.

We stay in Alexandria, despite the public schools, because we love the area itself and the strong sense of community, walkability, ease of commute to CD, history, culture, diversity, and opportunities for things to do near the water. We have considered moving to McLean or Arlington, but just cannot bear to part with Alexandria, despite the schools. So we are giving it a go and seeing how our kids do.

I could have written this post. Our daughter just started kindergarten at Macarthur. (We live in Rosemont.) Granted, it has only been one week, but I am already concerned. The teacher is disorganized and scattered. The saving grace is that my daughter will experience much more diversity in this classroom than she did in her pre-school. And that is important to me.

Ask yourself why that diversity is important to you and be sure you're not romanticizing something.

My dd attended MacArthur. In first grade, she ended up being seated next to a boy from the projects who proceeded to regale her in explicit detail how to smoke pot in a bowl and how to be arrested, since he had witnessed both activities on a regular basis. She came home one day and demonstrated how to be frisked. (My dd, who is calm and a good student, was frequently seated next to badly behaving children with the expectation that she would be a good influence. Instead, she ended up coming home frequently complaining of being distracted). We had other similar incidents along the way.

Is this the sort of value you're looking for in your quest for diversity? Or do you have some sort of bennetton fantasy of little brown and white children playing nicely together under a rainbow while their Asian teacher strums a guitar and sings kumbaya? What, really, do you think this diversity adds to this classroom and the educational experience? I'm genuinely curious, because I often hear this "diversity is important to me" by people who don't really know what it is they're saying or hoping to achieve.

Umm ok. So you are a racist. Let me clue you in to the fact that there are some white children with bad behavior and some "brown" children with good behavior. I assume you can't afford private or Arlington so little snowflake has to go to school with the blacks and the poors.

I wasn't aware you were privy to know the race of the children in this anecdote? Including my own?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

I didn't sense any racism, just realism, in that post. It's not racist to make decisions based on facts and real-life situations, rather than an abstract attraction to the idea of "diversity" for diversity's sake.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiosity, how do ACPS schools compare to DC public schools?

[Anonymous]

I thought TC Williams was in FCPS, not ACPS. Can someone clarify?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought TC Williams was in FCPS, not ACPS. Can someone clarify?

TC Williams is in ACPS. It's the only HS in ACPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

Your ad hominem attack is very convincing, pp.

I'm not in the least bit concerned about what you think of me. I relayed a statement of facts. I made no racial slurs. I didn't even comment on the race of the boy in question, nor do you know my race. You're the one making all the assumptions. You point a finger at me, but when you do that, three point back at you.

The whole point of your comment was to address "diversity." Thus, it is fair to assume you are making a comment on race. Whatever race. You don't have to mention it. Oh and then you go on to mention brown and white children. So, yea, not such a leap of logic there...please do us all a favor, move to Arlington and then talk to us about FARMS. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

Your ad hominem attack is very convincing, pp.

I'm not in the least bit concerned about what you think of me. I relayed a statement of facts. I made no racial slurs. I didn't even comment on the race of the boy in question, nor do you know my race. You're the one making all the assumptions. You point a finger at me, but when you do that, three point back at you.

The whole point of your comment was to address "diversity." Thus, it is fair to assume you are making a comment on race. Whatever race. You don't have to mention it. Oh and then you go on to mention brown and white children. So, yea, not such a leap of logic there...please do us all a favor, move to Arlington and then talk to us about FARMS. Thanks.

The whole point of my comment was to provide an anecdote of "diversity" in action in schools. Again, you haven't explained why you think it is a virtuous thing. Perhaps you'd like to do so, with real-world examples and anecdotes. But as it is, you sound like a well-meaning product of white privilege whose only experience with "diversity" is in the abstract. You sound like you're checking a box or something. But you'll learn.

Yeah, I did move to Arlington. Far superior school system, even the schools with diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP, you're racist. Your post sickens me.

Your ad hominem attack is very convincing, pp.

I'm not in the least bit concerned about what you think of me. I relayed a statement of facts. I made no racial slurs. I didn't even comment on the race of the boy in question, nor do you know my race. You're the one making all the assumptions. You point a finger at me, but when you do that, three point back at you.

The whole point of your comment was to address "diversity." Thus, it is fair to assume you are making a comment on race. Whatever race. You don't have to mention it. Oh and then you go on to mention brown and white children. So, yea, not such a leap of logic there...please do us all a favor, move to Arlington and then talk to us about FARMS. Thanks.

The whole point of my comment was to provide an anecdote of "diversity" in action in schools. Again, you haven't explained why you think it is a virtuous thing. Perhaps you'd like to do so, with real-world examples and anecdotes. But as it is, you sound like a well-meaning product of white privilege whose only experience with "diversity" is in the abstract. You sound like you're checking a box or something. But you'll learn.

Yeah, I did move to Arlington. Far superior school system, even the schools with diversity.

Ha! I knew you moved to Arlington. Your snowflakes can now go to school with their own kind. That was a great decision for you.