Springfield schools?

[Anonymous]

I'm researching for a friend who's step-son (6th grade) will be coming to live with them in Springfield in the next few months. I am most familiar with DCPS/DC charter schools and how to navigate that system, but I'm at a loss for navigating FCPS.
If you are unhappy with your local school, are there any options other than private schools? Can you transfer within your "cluster?" And, do charter schools even exist in Northern VA? Any personal experiences with Lynbrook, Key MS or Lee HS?
Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you are unhappy with your local school, are there any options other than private schools?

You can apply for the lottery for one of the two FCPS magnet schools and provide your own transportation:

http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=1329

Anonymous wrote:Can you transfer within your "cluster?"

No, unless you try the pupil placement option, and that is pretty difficult to do -- unless you are an FCPS employee.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/StudentRegistration/student-transfer/index.htm

Anonymous wrote:And, do charter schools even exist in Northern VA?

No

[Anonymous]

If he qualifies for the GT center programs, he would be eligible to attend 6th grade at Springfield Estates GTC and MS at the GTC at Twain. But HS would be Lee or apply to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm researching for a friend who's step-son (6th grade) will be coming to live with them in Springfield in the next few months.

Anonymous wrote:If he qualifies for the GT center programs, he would be eligible to attend 6th grade at Springfield Estates GTC and MS at the GTC at Twain. But HS would be Lee or apply to TJ.

GT center referrals for Fall 2010 for students not currently enrolled in FCPS need to be submitted to the FCPS GT office February 2 -5, 2010:

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt/packet/Fillable_AAP%20Level%20IV%20Referral%20Form.pdf

[Anonymous]

GT center referrals for Fall 2010 for students not currently enrolled in FCPS need to be submitted to the FCPS GT office February 2 -5, 2010

This means kids who are Fairfax County residents currently enrolled in private schools. I am assuming the OP is referring to someone moving into the area. A student who transfers into FCPS and was GT eligible elsewhere goes through a different process:

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt/identificationntc.html