Thoreau AAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

[Anonymous]

If this... If that... whatever.

The point about Glasgow is that even though the base school has a lot of FARMS and ESOL kids, the AAP center is well-attended, well-regarded by those who go there, and those kids score well. Don't believe me? Here's a few quotes from parents who have kids there (source: Great Schools).


Parent
Overall experience
This is our 3rd year in Glasgow and my daughter loves it! what great schools does not show is that Glasgow is home to Advanced Academic program, which provides amazing opportunities for our kids. The teachers are great and always eager to help. Amazing development opportunities are offered as after-school programs. Which other middle school provides an opportunity to kids to build and fly a drone? Or study advanced theater? Principle DeRose is a rock star who is responsive, active and knows every kids by name. Could not be happier and feel lucky that my second daughter will be there next years as well.
Submitted by a parent · October 25, 2017

And...

The Great Schools ratings do not reflect the quality of the AAP program within Glasgow. It is a very strong continuation of the AAP feeder cohort from Belvedere ES and others with a program, in part, focused on preparing the AAP student for entrance to TJHSST. Both my current 8th and 6th grade children are thriving, achieving the highest grades in classes, gaining leadership experience, social skills, experience in attending state-wide STEM competitions, and participating in one of the strongest music programs in the area. Is a challenge to address the student body with ESL obstacles, home cultures not rigorously supportive of high academic achievement, personal discipline, social skills involving positive leadership, and other key attributes for success as defined by these scorecard metrics or the environmental metrics such as in the per capita highly competitive DC Metro area. I do think highly of Principal Derose, school officials, and especially the teachers my children have had the privilege to learn from. Go Panthers!
Submitted by a parent · September 26, 2017


No one is saying that Jackson is equal (or will be equal) to Glasgow except you. Even if we grant you your claims and assume the base school at Jackson becomes as FARMS/ESOL as Glasgow, the AAP center remains largely insulated from the non-AAP part of the school in the minds of parents and kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

[Anonymous]

In addition to safety of areas. Reputation of FCPS as a whole. Do I have to go on about how certain areas in decline can affect an entire county?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

Dear Lord, you are way overthinking this. I suggest a hobby...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

+1000. And the hypocrisy of a School Board that pats itself on the back for adopting One Fairfax and then acts in direct opposition to its guiding principles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

Dear Lord, you are way overthinking this. I suggest a hobby...

DP. PP seems to know far more about trends in the county and its schools than you do. I suggest you do more research before breaking out the snide.

[Anonymous]

Let's just stipulate that the "glass half empty" PP is right for the sake of argument. PP, you aren't going to change the Jackson boundary now. It's done. So, what are you going to do beyond foretelling doom?

FCHS has certain demographic characteristics. Those are now the characteristics of LJ (although it gets a boost from having at least 300 AAP kids). And....? Love it? List it? Work to keep the base school strong?

TMS folks aren't going to save FCHS pyramid. If you are in FCHS... you have to be your own savior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

Dear Lord, you are way overthinking this. I suggest a hobby...

DP. PP seems to know far more about trends in the county and its schools than you do. I suggest you do more research before breaking out the snide.

Sorry, if this person thinks the boundary change will cause both the demise of a school, causing entire high school pyramids to become undesirable and to ruin the tax base as a county I don’t think I’m relying on her to predict the trends in the county. Sounds more like she’s shaking a magic 8 ball til she gets the gloom and doom answers she desires. Also sounds like an inability to move on from a done deal that isn’t such a major issue overall (no one is sick, hurt, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In addition to safety of areas. Reputation of FCPS as a whole. Do I have to go on about how certain areas in decline can affect an entire county?

No. Please, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Twain, Hughes, South County are all MS AAP centers with less than 300 kids. Glasgow is an example of a low-regarded/low scoring/high FARMS MS with an AAP center that still has 375+ kids... and they are doing well (based on test scores).

Facts... not scare tactics.

Jackson was on par with Kilmer and Thoreau. Now you are comparing it to Glasgow which is a 3 rated school. What point are you trying to make? That there are other middle schools that will still be worse than Jackson? I agree, but it doesn't take away from the fact that before this change, all three middle schools were equally well regarded. Holmes does not have a LLIV program does it? It just has the middle years program. Glasgow pulls from 11 elementary schools that then branch off into two high schools. So each group of AAP kids have at least 5 other elementary feeders that will go onto the same high school. If Holmes were to start an AAP center, I bet Glasgow would decline even below the 3 great schools rating it is now.

So, to be clear, this is just about losing bragging rights.

No. It's about entire high school pyramids becoming undesirable thus dropping our tax base as a county.

Dear Lord, you are way overthinking this. I suggest a hobby...

DP. PP seems to know far more about trends in the county and its schools than you do. I suggest you do more research before breaking out the snide.

Sorry, if this person thinks the boundary change will cause both the demise of a school, causing entire high school pyramids to become undesirable and to ruin the tax base as a county I don’t think I’m relying on her to predict the trends in the county. Sounds more like she’s shaking a magic 8 ball til she gets the gloom and doom answers she desires. Also sounds like an inability to move on from a done deal that isn’t such a major issue overall (no one is sick, hurt, etc)

These same arguments were said about Annandale. No big deal. Done deal anyway. Now look where we are with that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's just stipulate that the "glass half empty" PP is right for the sake of argument. PP, you aren't going to change the Jackson boundary now. It's done. So, what are you going to do beyond foretelling doom?

FCHS has certain demographic characteristics. Those are now the characteristics of LJ (although it gets a boost from having at least 300 AAP kids). And....? Love it? List it? Work to keep the base school strong?

TMS folks aren't going to save FCHS pyramid. If you are in FCHS... you have to be your own savior.

Do you even have any first hand experience with FCHS to make such a comment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's just stipulate that the "glass half empty" PP is right for the sake of argument. PP, you aren't going to change the Jackson boundary now. It's done. So, what are you going to do beyond foretelling doom?

FCHS has certain demographic characteristics. Those are now the characteristics of LJ (although it gets a boost from having at least 300 AAP kids). And....? Love it? List it? Work to keep the base school strong?

TMS folks aren't going to save FCHS pyramid. If you are in FCHS... you have to be your own savior.

Do you even have any first hand experience with FCHS to make such a comment?

Not to mention that these areas are very different. Oakton parents all too happy to have new apartments be built in other areas of the county and not in their neck of the woods of septic single families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's just stipulate that the "glass half empty" PP is right for the sake of argument. PP, you aren't going to change the Jackson boundary now. It's done. So, what are you going to do beyond foretelling doom?

FCHS has certain demographic characteristics. Those are now the characteristics of LJ (although it gets a boost from having at least 300 AAP kids). And....? Love it? List it? Work to keep the base school strong?

TMS folks aren't going to save FCHS pyramid. If you are in FCHS... you have to be your own savior.

So, what are you going to do beyond foretelling doom? Encourage people to vote those out who did this.