APS Discovery elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

1) Everyone knows the demographics are exactly the same as the high-performing schools next to the zone since it was carved out of those. So the absence of test scores isn't an issue.
2) It's new. People like new.
3) The slide. Did you hear about the slide?

I'm framing this and hanging it on the wall.

Why? I didn't post that, but it stands to reason. They literally carved the same kinds of kids out of the other nearby schools. Nothing shocking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

1) Everyone knows the demographics are exactly the same as the high-performing schools next to the zone since it was carved out of those. So the absence of test scores isn't an issue.
2) It's new. People like new.
3) The slide. Did you hear about the slide?

I'm framing this and hanging it on the wall.

Why? I didn't post that, but it stands to reason. They literally carved the same kinds of kids out of the other nearby schools. Nothing shocking.

Agree, not shocking at all -- although I guess it is somewhat shocking to see someone state it flat out. Its going to be a high performing school because of the demographics of the neighborhood, end of story. It honestly has nothing to do with the principal, teachers, PTA, academic program, school budget... We all know its true. But no one ever says it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

The word "coveted" really ought to be banned from discussions of APS, at least until APS has one high school that cracks the US News top 10 in the state.

[Anonymous]

Discovery is made up of students from Nottingham (vast majority), Taylor, and Jamestown. All schools rated 10/10. It stands to reason Discovery will have the same score on greatschools. Even if the teaching was shit, which it's not, it would take years before that showed in scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Discovery is made up of students from Nottingham (vast majority), Taylor, and Jamestown. All schools rated 10/10. It stands to reason Discovery will have the same score on greatschools. Even if the teaching was shit, which it's not, it would take years before that showed in scores.

But the slide? I think that means discovery will get an 11.

[Anonymous]

The test scores there reflect a student body that wants for nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

The word "coveted" really ought to be banned from discussions of APS, at least until APS has one high school that cracks the US News top 10 in the state.

Awww - I love it when the cute little Arlington haters join the action. What else you got? Please make us laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

1) Everyone knows the demographics are exactly the same as the high-performing schools next to the zone since it was carved out of those. So the absence of test scores isn't an issue.
2) It's new. People like new.
3) The slide. Did you hear about the slide?

I'm framing this and hanging it on the wall.

Why? I didn't post that, but it stands to reason. They literally carved the same kinds of kids out of the other nearby schools. Nothing shocking.

Agree, not shocking at all -- although I guess it is somewhat shocking to see someone state it flat out. Its going to be a high performing school because of the demographics of the neighborhood, end of story. It honestly has nothing to do with the principal, teachers, PTA, academic program, school budget... We all know its true. But no one ever says it.

Not really. Most people understand that all of these things are made up of the same basic ingredients that go into the surrounding schools, so no worries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cheapest house I'm seeing listed in at zone is 799k and it might actually be Jamestown.

You people who say you live in 700k older homes... When did you buy? I'm not seeing them and the few that get listed are snapped up for cash or sell over 8.
Op- if you've got a million bucks plus... Go for it. It's got a slide.

Jamestown is a great school. Houses may be more expensive there, though.

A lot of Jamestown families 'team' into Science Focus elem. I am ASF-zoned and like the school, but always wondered what motivates them to go across town instead of to their neighborhood school.

No, they actually do not anymore. Not since things got really crowded.

As for the motivation, there's this mistaken belief in some circles that ASFS is some elite stem incubator. Of course, it's not -- that would be like saying Jamestown, with its tech focus, is an incubator for Silicon Valley-bound coders. But put "science focus" in a name and you're going to fool some people. Even those who live in $2 million County Club Hills mansions.

Cynical post, bro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

The word "coveted" really ought to be banned from discussions of APS, at least until APS has one high school that cracks the US News top 10 in the state.

Uh, I don't covet a place on US News list. I think that list is silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test scores there reflect a student body that wants for nothing.

Yup. That's how you know they're gifted.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you already live in the area, you must know a neighbor or two you could ask. My child is at Discovery. We came in from out of the area this year. I don't know what to really say about it - communication is pretty abysmal, teaching depends on the teacher (there are great ones and there are not great ones), the building is certainly new and shiny. There are things to appreciate about it but it's in its first year and there are absolutely growing pains. The principal and the AP have no elementary background, for instance. But are most families happy? In general, I'd say yes, at least at my well-attended bus stop. My child generally likes going to school, which is a plus.

To the PP who said that there are no young children in this area...you are full of it. My neighborhood alone is packed to the gills with them. I don't think you know what you are talking about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you want to know?

My spouse is a Realtor and I will say that it's probably THE most coveted ES in Arlington. Very small zoning footprint, though. You'll need to spend around $1 million to get into the district.

Demographically it looks like most of the top schools in North Arlington -- predominately white, extremely low FARMS. No test scores yet since it's new.

They have an indoor slide.

I don't get it, if there are no test scores and its only a year old, how is it the most coveted school? How to answer OP's question?

1) Everyone knows the demographics are exactly the same as the high-performing schools next to the zone since it was carved out of those. So the absence of test scores isn't an issue.
2) It's new. People like new.
3) The slide. Did you hear about the slide?

I'm framing this and hanging it on the wall.

Why? I didn't post that, but it stands to reason. They literally carved the same kinds of kids out of the other nearby schools. Nothing shocking.

Agree, not shocking at all -- although I guess it is somewhat shocking to see someone state it flat out. Its going to be a high performing school because of the demographics of the neighborhood, end of story. It honestly has nothing to do with the principal, teachers, PTA, academic program, school budget... We all know its true. But no one ever says it.

Please explain why it's shocking. People talk very openly about the demographics of Discovery. I'm not at all understanding what you mean? How is it shocking to state the obvious -- that it's a school created in an area with affluent housing -- single family housing at that -- and therefore it's populated with kids with means, therefore it is safe to assume higher achievement and a nice school culture. What's "shocking" about stating the obvious? Why would you think that would be hush-hush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you already live in the area, you must know a neighbor or two you could ask. My child is at Discovery. We came in from out of the area this year. I don't know what to really say about it - communication is pretty abysmal, teaching depends on the teacher (there are great ones and there are not great ones), the building is certainly new and shiny. There are things to appreciate about it but it's in its first year and there are absolutely growing pains. The principal and the AP have no elementary background, for instance. But are most families happy? In general, I'd say yes, at least at my well-attended bus stop. My child generally likes going to school, which is a plus.

To the PP who said that there are no young children in this area...you are full of it. My neighborhood alone is packed to the gills with them. I don't think you know what you are talking about!

Sounds like you actually know what to say about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cheapest house I'm seeing listed in at zone is 799k and it might actually be Jamestown.

You people who say you live in 700k older homes... When did you buy? I'm not seeing them and the few that get listed are snapped up for cash or sell over 8.
Op- if you've got a million bucks plus... Go for it. It's got a slide.

Jamestown is a great school. Houses may be more expensive there, though.

A lot of Jamestown families 'team' into Science Focus elem. I am ASF-zoned and like the school, but always wondered what motivates them to go across town instead of to their neighborhood school.

Some folks in this area have a Pavlovian response to the use of science in a school name.