Tell me about Alexandria and South Arlington Schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't ACPS pull out of TJ? Does anyone know why? Genuine question-- not an ACPS bash. But, TJ is located right there and it seems like trying for TJ pushes MS kids academically. So what was the rationale? Or am I just wrong and ACPS does send kids?

No, ACPS deliberately does not send kids. Doesn't want to encourage more brain drain than it already has.

Not the case. ACPS declined the TJ compact for numerous, good reasons -- Alex would not have been assured of any places; Alex would have played no role in admissions; Alex would have been on the hook to fund TJ capital expenses in which Alex would have played no role; Alex would have been required to provide two different sets of bus services; Alex would have been limited to a tiny fixed-cap on TJ spaces, cumulative across grade levels, such that there could be no predictability at all to TJ admissions in any given year; Alex students would NOT have had full access to TJ facilities or resources or co-curriculars in the event of crowding or over-subscription -- essentially a pre-agreement to second-class citizenship. The decision was reviewed three years in a row. A super-majority of two different school boards declined TJ participation. A different NoVa jurisdiction pulled out. Loudon is considering doing so.

Sorry PP, but it's not a "brain drain" issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't ACPS pull out of TJ? Does anyone know why? Genuine question-- not an ACPS bash. But, TJ is located right there and it seems like trying for TJ pushes MS kids academically. So what was the rationale? Or am I just wrong and ACPS does send kids?

No, ACPS deliberately does not send kids. Doesn't want to encourage more brain drain than it already has.

Not the case. ACPS declined the TJ compact for numerous, good reasons -- Alex would not have been assured of any places; Alex would have played no role in admissions; Alex would have been on the hook to fund TJ capital expenses in which Alex would have played no role; Alex would have been required to provide two different sets of bus services; Alex would have been limited to a tiny fixed-cap on TJ spaces, cumulative across grade levels, such that there could be no predictability at all to TJ admissions in any given year; Alex students would NOT have had full access to TJ facilities or resources or co-curriculars in the event of crowding or over-subscription -- essentially a pre-agreement to second-class citizenship. The decision was reviewed three years in a row. A super-majority of two different school boards declined TJ participation. A different NoVa jurisdiction pulled out. Loudon is considering doing so.

Sorry PP, but it's not a "brain drain" issue.

Blah blah blah. Other jurisdictions allow qualified students to attend TJ. ACPS does not, for exactly the reasons others have already noted. It speaks to such a lack of confidence in ACPS's ability to prepare middle school students for TJ. The kids are the ones who lose out, as TC Williams simply is not on the same level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't ACPS pull out of TJ? Does anyone know why? Genuine question-- not an ACPS bash. But, TJ is located right there and it seems like trying for TJ pushes MS kids academically. So what was the rationale? Or am I just wrong and ACPS does send kids?

No, ACPS deliberately does not send kids. Doesn't want to encourage more brain drain than it already has.

Not the case. ACPS declined the TJ compact for numerous, good reasons -- Alex would not have been assured of any places; Alex would have played no role in admissions; Alex would have been on the hook to fund TJ capital expenses in which Alex would have played no role; Alex would have been required to provide two different sets of bus services; Alex would have been limited to a tiny fixed-cap on TJ spaces, cumulative across grade levels, such that there could be no predictability at all to TJ admissions in any given year; Alex students would NOT have had full access to TJ facilities or resources or co-curriculars in the event of crowding or over-subscription -- essentially a pre-agreement to second-class citizenship. The decision was reviewed three years in a row. A super-majority of two different school boards declined TJ participation. A different NoVa jurisdiction pulled out. Loudon is considering doing so.

Sorry PP, but it's not a "brain drain" issue.

You posted this during the last discussion some time ago. It appears this list of "why no Thomas Jefferson High School for Alexandria City Public School students" list was made under the most recent Superintendent's term, as their was no such list before him as I was there.

It's a puzzling list of "why nots" on many levels, when the goal for ACPS students and parents is to take advantage of the highest rated STEM HIGH SCHOOL on the East Coast and one for which Alexandria residents contribute taxes to the State of Virginia to finance. In other words, we pay for the likes of TJ but get nothing in return due to our persistent egregious ACPS administrative decision to say "no". It's our children after all: hasn't ACPS Admin gotten to "yes" yet?

What an opportunity for those who attend and how dismal and narrow minded that year after year, ACPS administration shorts a few (maybe 3 at most) skilled, hard working TCWHS students from this once in a life time golden opportunity. It smacks of ACPS being NIMBY towards Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology due to true fear, most likely from being shown up for how bad it's STEM and sciences are, as well as discriminative brain drain.

Alexandria City can build out Potomac Yard and it's Metro, the Waterfront and it's Park, Oakville, North Old Town, Carlyle and Eisenhower. It can have a flourishing Old Town with Trolley, lights, restaurant complete with Visit Alexandria City advertising. We residents can support through our taxes, 75% of the cost of Alexandria City Public Schools and, due to poor past planning, deal with a 10 to 15 year Capital Improvement Plan to build many new ACPS elementary schools, a new middle school, probably a new high school.

But, we tax paying residents (and future businesses whose employees choose to live here) still can't count on a few ACPS students being educated at a superlative STEM school such as Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology even though our our tax money supports Thomas Jefferson.

For shame, for shame. Go figure, Alexandrians: it's been decades of asking for our students to be able to attend Thomas Jefferson: please go figure this ACPS naysaying boondoggle out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people have a right to be afraid their child isn't maybe getting a great education , or least a comparable education to the kids on the other side of the county. Doesn't mean they don't like diversity, just means they are prioritizing their own child. I'm not clear on how a class with majority impovrished English learners keeps the same pace as schools that are almost 100% rich, native English speakers.
I would love to hear how that works.
There might very well be a negligible difference.

Pretty sure it means they are 1) prioritizing their own child, and 2) they are uncomfortable with the diversity.

I really don't think this is what is happening, at least with regard to your comment about diversity. I think what you're seeing is that parents get burned out. Maybe they no longer have the time or energy to participate at the same level, and they know that if they move, there are more than enough parent resources at most other schools to make up for their not being as involved. At least, that's what I've seen and heard from acquaintances who have moved out of two of the highest poverty school attendance zones (in one case the child is a racial/ethnic minority, so the only type of diversity they were seeking is economic diversity). In fact, I know at least one family that moved within south Arlington to a different school in south Arlington for this reason. It's a lot easier to accomplish the same task when you have four horses pulling a cart rather than just one. I don't mind being a horse right now, because I have the time and the desire to do it. But not everyone does.

The parents become exhausted how? Tired of being the only volunteers? Always having to chaperone? Just not finding a group of parents that they relate to?I assume you are talking about Carlin Springs and Randolph.

The examples I was using were from Randolph (though this was many years ago) and Barcroft more recently. I don't think Carlin Springs even has a PTA. But yes, tired of being among a handful of volunteers,

the only ones attending school community events, nobody coming to their kid's birthday parties when invited, etc.

My kids were at Campbell until this year and this is simply just not true. Our school events were wonderfully attended and my kids always had friends from school at their birthday parties.

Did I say Campbell? No, I did not. I am aware that school is different, as are other south Arlington schools, and that is why I named particular schools. I'm not trying to paint with a broad brush. But I'm not trying to paper over issues that exist at particular schools either. If a larger cohort of parents who have the time and inclination to be involved things will change at the schools I did name.

[Anonymous]

I think it's important to name specific and talk about specific schools. I think there is an issue in Arlingtin to just lump all of the schools together and say they are all great.

[Anonymous]

I just pulled up Randolph on great schools. It had been a 5 for the last few years. Now it's a two.
Cue the sad trombone....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I currently live in ffx county. Love where I live and commute etc. we are considering a move to city of Alexandria (first choice) or south Arlington county. Main reason we are moving is we need more space. Moving into those areas means we would be closer to family, would save about 15 miles each way taking the kids to grandparents (gp watch them while we both work) . Schools in our current area are good, not great and even if I stay put I may consider private ( for small class sizes). The only reason not to move to those areas is my concern for schools. Budget is pretty specific and limited i.e. I can't afford north Arlington

Tell me how great or not great the schools in Alex and south Arlington are.

This puzzles me. You will get more space for money in FFX over Alexandria or South Arlington. What part of Fairfax are you living in now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I currently live in ffx county. Love where I live and commute etc. we are considering a move to city of Alexandria (first choice) or south Arlington county. Main reason we are moving is we need more space. Moving into those areas means we would be closer to family, would save about 15 miles each way taking the kids to grandparents (gp watch them while we both work) . Schools in our current area are good, not great and even if I stay put I may consider private ( for small class sizes). The only reason not to move to those areas is my concern for schools. Budget is pretty specific and limited i.e. I can't afford north Arlington

Tell me how great or not great the schools in Alex and south Arlington are.

This puzzles me. You will get more space for money in FFX over Alexandria or South Arlington. What part of Fairfax are you living in now?

Vienna- close to tysons

[Anonymous]

Hey Op!
Great schools came out with the most recent data. Here are all of the south Arlington elementary schools and their rankings. There's been some shake up.

Abingdon- 5
Barcroft - 4
Carlin Springs- 5
Claremont- 5
Campbell - 6
Drew - 2
Oakridge- 7
Hoffman Boston - 6
Patrick Henry - 9
Randolph - 2

Campbell is a choice school and your child is only admitted through lottery. The Drew score is puzzling - I was under the impression Montessori was included, but maybe that is incorrect.

Thomas Jefferson middle school - 7
Kenmore middle school - 5
Gunston middle school -5

And of course ....

Wakefield high school- 4

[Anonymous]

*** correction ***
Drew is 4
That is a combination of Montessori and neighborhood scores

[Anonymous]

The carlin springs rating is pretty impressive, given the school's high rates of ESL and FARMS. Same for Hoffman Boston.

[Anonymous]

Why did Randolph drop so much? It used to be a 5.

[Anonymous]

Barrett (in North Arlington) also tanked. Was a 7 last year and is a 4 this year. What is going on there?

[Anonymous]

They suck. Next question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The carlin springs rating is pretty impressive, given the school's high rates of ESL and FARMS. Same for Hoffman Boston.

I'm pretty sure Hoffman Boston slid down a bit, but never the less, I think people are pretty satisfied with the progress over there. There was a big article about Carlin Springs in the post. They had those kids in there before school, after school, and on Saturdays. It was a huge endeavor to get those scores. I believe it was a pilot program. I assume they are doing it again this year. I wonder if Randolph will be implementing it this year. They damn well better have some sort of plan. Disgraceful.
These scores aren't the end all be all, but they shouldn't be ignored.