FCPS is turning the new high school purchased to fix crowding into an Aviation magnet school instead of a high school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not convinced that turning KAA into some TJ-like high school would be good for the majority of smart kids in the west. Each western high school could have their best and brightest students drawn away. This would reduce the pool of students for AP classes, possibly eliminating some of them if there aren't enough students to justify holding the class. It could also lower a high school's prestige when its performance metrics decrease because the top students within its boundaries are going to KAA.

+1

This would be especially harmful to South Lakes where they already have the brain drain of kids trying to get away from IB. The more advanced IB classes would be much fewer and farther between.

Actually, south lakes is one of the only schools that really benefits from its IB programming - it draws a lot of students away from Herndon high. In fact, that’s basically the reason that Herndon high has capacity, because the south lakes IB program allows the Herndon students to flee the Herndon pyramid, and they do in droves. It’s the exact phenomenon you are worried about with KAA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DP. No idea who said what--but I think that it is kind of comical that on an anonymous forum we expect names and dates and contact.

Yes, it is kind of funny since the people who started the petition for KAA to be a neighborhood school just identify themselves as western county residents. They don’t identify the neighborhoods they purport to represent, much less identify themselves personally.

Basically, you’ve got a few people who live close to the property trying to shut down any questions about the use, cost, or timing for this school.

As opposed to people who do not want the school trying to shut down the neighborhoods that need a traditional high school. Carson has a 3/4 way split feeder. Franklin has a 3 way split feeder. In other words, the neighborhood nearest KAA are split into many directions. Kind of like a spider web with the neighborhoods in the middle--and the only close high school is Chantilly for most of them--but only one of those elementary schools feeds to Chantilly.

And we know why these people want to shut down the possibility of it being a neighborhood school — they are afraid of how it will affect their own kids’ school boundaries. Fake concerns about the cost, the layout, etc are not fooling anyone.

The irony is that it will likely only require minor adjustment between two high schools. We are talking about one elementary school that is equidistant. That is one group.

There is also the "elites" who have been lobbying for another elite school besides TJ. Not sure why they cannot see the need of the local neighborhoods. Our superintendent likely falls in this category--plus it gets the others off her back.

And, then, there is another group who has a far different reason for why they do not want this school. The elephant in the room.

Why do you put elites in quotes? Did you hear someone else call them that, or are you just trying to make fetch happen?

We all get you two really want this school to be traditional, but your kids could still apply to the school if it is a magnet? I’m guessing there won’t be much interest for the first few years, so getting in should be easier.

Fairfax Federation Education Committee is pushing for this. There was a letter published in Fairfax Times. The chair is Harvard grad and Harvard Law and, while I'm sure her intentions are good, she does not appear focused on all FCPS students, but just on the top. The other chair has been on the AAP committee, so, perhaps that is also her agenda.

While there are many top kids in the KAA area, there are certainly many who are not at the top, and likely more that are just good students who want a normal high school experience.

As for kids just choosing to go to a magnet--that is not the same thing as a traditional high school and many--in fact, the ones who most need a local school, will not get it.

And, why should two women who chair the Education Committee of the Fairfax Federation get to decide that it needs to be a magnet? Shouldn't FCPS be concerned about ALL their kids?

Sounds like the Fairfax federation are representing voices outside of the immediate KAA area. It’s good to remember that the school was purchased with county funds, not neighborhood funds.

Also, the school board members have been mostly doubling down recently on the magnet or academy concept, so it’s looking more and more likely each day.

I don’t think the school will be ready in less than a year though.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like there will be a delay either way. Either it will be a traditional school and they'll have to do more work to customize the space and add capacity, or it will be a magnet and they'll have to spend more time coming up with an admissions process and an appropriate curriculum.

They were so happy at the opportunity to pat themselves on the back that they got ahead of themselves. Now they are going to have to figure out what to do with the building they actually acquired, as opposed to the turnkey building they wanted to pitch to the public. The claimed savings will also end up being substantially less than originally promised.

They could just call it TJ west. There’s definitely a demand for it (esp from the Rachel Carson farm to TJ directly across the street)and they can simply use the admissions process for TJ to identify the pool of kids. I don’t think it would be that difficult to implement actually.

What a terrible idea. One TJ is enough. And, remember, they have new rules and the selectees are the "best and brightest" of EACH school. Not the "best and brightest" period.

You think the state is going to support another governor's school? really?

This plus the aerospace magnet they described is nothing like TJ. TJ offers very rigorous and high level education across a variety of STEM disciplines (the humanities classes are also high level). This magnet would be extremely narrow and more vocational. Not a bad thing but nothing like TJ.

[Anonymous]

What about varsity sports for those kids who will be freshmen next year? How will that be an option if the school only has two grades?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about varsity sports for those kids who will be freshmen next year? How will that be an option if the school only has two grades?

They generally do not do varsity sports unless there is no JV team to compete against when opening this way. They likely would have them the second year.

But, sadly, I don't think they are in the planning stage for anything. I wonder if a magnet would even include sports.

When Westfield and South County opened, they selected a very strong principal to open them (the same one). He had been a very strong principal at Chantilly and the planning was in progress as soon as he was hired. Reid gave the name of someone at a work session, but I couldn't understand it. Seems like he should be included in these meetings, but I don't think Reid has thought very far ahead.
Right now, they seem fixated on a magnet--maybe, they assume it would be easier and please some of their supporters. I think they are sadly mistaken if they think this.

It should be a traditional school and someone should be working on it now.

But, looking at the way they are conducting start times, I suspect they do not understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

I went through some numbers a few pages back. The ball park you gave is somewhat correct--with some caveats:

Part of Coates goes to Herndon High (Coates boundary extends on other side of DTR. Those kids go to Herndon High. I don't know the number--but I would assume that would take around 150 off the table.)

Floris is divided between Westfield and South Lakes. Will Meren give up her Hunter Mill residents? Pretty sure the Floris kids who go to South Lakes live in Hunter Mill. The others are in Sully, I think.
Coates is in Dranesville.

The numbers at Oak Hill include AAP from Fox Mill and Lees Corner (I think).

Also, Carson sends a lot of kids to TJ. Not sure if it is enough to make a difference, but over four years, I would think it to be at least 100. Currently, those come from Chantilly, Westfield, Oakton, and South Lakes. I would think it to reduce KAA number by at least 50--likely more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

I went through some numbers a few pages back. The ball park you gave is somewhat correct--with some caveats:

Part of Coates goes to Herndon High (Coates boundary extends on other side of DTR. Those kids go to Herndon High. I don't know the number--but I would assume that would take around 150 off the table.)

Floris is divided between Westfield and South Lakes. Will Meren give up her Hunter Mill residents? Pretty sure the Floris kids who go to South Lakes live in Hunter Mill. The others are in Sully, I think.
Coates is in Dranesville.

The numbers at Oak Hill include AAP from Fox Mill and Lees Corner (I think).

Also, Carson sends a lot of kids to TJ. Not sure if it is enough to make a difference, but over four years, I would think it to be at least 100. Currently, those come from Chantilly, Westfield, Oakton, and South Lakes. I would think it to reduce KAA number by at least 50--likely more.

Just checked: 76 kids transfer into Oak Hill from Fox Mill and Lees Corner. I would think most of that is AAP.

So that would reduce the number more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be asinine to ignore KAA for one year and have to redraw boundaries again. The need to include it alongside it's projected boundaries in October.

The new Facilities guy has reportedly been telling people during the September boundary meetings that KAA won’t be part of the current boundary study and won’t open in fall 2026.

We've heard this story before. Just like the poster who knew a guy who worked at Gatehouse and had the "leaked maps" that were all a bunch of bull too.

The two situations are not analogous.

You’re describing something that was described as non-public information. In comparison, we’ve got the new head of Facilities showing up at public community meetings and making statements.

No, we've got an anonymous poster saying that someone else heard someone else saying something. It's exactly the same as the anonymous poster saying that someone else said they had a map that said "x y z."

You’re part of the problem here twisting the story. I said someone in that FairFacts Facebook group posted that the facilities guy told boundary meeting attendees that KAA might not open on 2026. The poster was at the meeting. I was asking if anyone else here was at the meeting and could corroborate that.

It’s possible the person who attended the meeting misunderstood. It’s also possible (and likely) that the facilities guy said things that are confusing and/or said things not in line with what the school board is saying because FCPS personnel apparently do not properly communicate or coordinate with each other, as we can see from this whole mess.

Oh god, just shut up about your stupid Facebook group. We all know that group puts out a lot of lies. I would not believe 50% of what they tell you. Use your brain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

Your math is messed up. The grades don't all have the same amount of students, and not all of those kids end up at their zoned high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be asinine to ignore KAA for one year and have to redraw boundaries again. The need to include it alongside it's projected boundaries in October.

The new Facilities guy has reportedly been telling people during the September boundary meetings that KAA won’t be part of the current boundary study and won’t open in fall 2026.

We've heard this story before. Just like the poster who knew a guy who worked at Gatehouse and had the "leaked maps" that were all a bunch of bull too.

The two situations are not analogous.

You’re describing something that was described as non-public information. In comparison, we’ve got the new head of Facilities showing up at public community meetings and making statements.

No, we've got an anonymous poster saying that someone else heard someone else saying something. It's exactly the same as the anonymous poster saying that someone else said they had a map that said "x y z."

You’re part of the problem here twisting the story. I said someone in that FairFacts Facebook group posted that the facilities guy told boundary meeting attendees that KAA might not open on 2026. The poster was at the meeting. I was asking if anyone else here was at the meeting and could corroborate that.

It’s possible the person who attended the meeting misunderstood. It’s also possible (and likely) that the facilities guy said things that are confusing and/or said things not in line with what the school board is saying because FCPS personnel apparently do not properly communicate or coordinate with each other, as we can see from this whole mess.

Oh god, just shut up about your stupid Facebook group. We all know that group puts out a lot of lies. I would not believe 50% of what they tell you. Use your brain.

DP. What lies? Be specific here, otherwise it’s slander.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about varsity sports for those kids who will be freshmen next year? How will that be an option if the school only has two grades?

They generally do not do varsity sports unless there is no JV team to compete against when opening this way. They likely would have them the second year.

But, sadly, I don't think they are in the planning stage for anything. I wonder if a magnet would even include sports.

When Westfield and South County opened, they selected a very strong principal to open them (the same one). He had been a very strong principal at Chantilly and the planning was in progress as soon as he was hired. Reid gave the name of someone at a work session, but I couldn't understand it. Seems like he should be included in these meetings, but I don't think Reid has thought very far ahead.
Right now, they seem fixated on a magnet--maybe, they assume it would be easier and please some of their supporters. I think they are sadly mistaken if they think this.

It should be a traditional school and someone should be working on it now.

But, looking at the way they are conducting start times, I suspect they do not understand.

So if I’ve got a rising 9th or 10th grader who could be a varsity athlete why would I send them to KAA for the first year? I’ll pupil place or go private to avoid a KAA. And how can it offer more advanced classes without juniors or seniors?

They aren’t thinking of opening this as a 9-10 school for any reason other capacity constraints. Otherwise haven’t new high schools in Fairfax and Loudoun opened as 9-11 schools with varsity sports and advanced classes from day one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

They aren’t going to open KAA as a high school campus where kids are routinely going in and out of three buildings. That’s completely inconsistent with their focus on enhanced security and all the money they recently spent to put West Potomac under one roof.

You are really trying to mislead people into thinking KAA can soon be a typical HS without a lot of additional money being spent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Listening to the meeting tonight at Madison.

What the new Facilities guy (Erik Gordon) said tonight re KAA is:

* Current capacity is only 1300

* Goal is to open with two classes in fall 2026

* Long-term he is tasked with expanding school to 2000, but that could take years

Coats K-6 983
McNair K-2 531
McNair Upper 3-6 606
Floris K-6 666
Oak Hill K-6 639

1300 scenario
Coats+McNair = 2120 => 1211 students for 9-12 (n * 4 / 7)

Coats+McNair+Floris = 2786 => 1592 students for 9-12

2000 scenario
Coats+McNair+Floris+OakHill = 3425, => 1957 students for 9-12

The plan is to open the school with 9-10 only, so scenario 3 would start with 1000 students and transition to full capacity on year 3.

2026/2027 1000 students. Gr. 9-10
2028 1500 students Gr. 9-11
2029 2000 students Gr. 9-12

If this is what you think, the problem would be KAA won't have 2000 capacity by 2029. I hope they do.

If the main building cannot be adapted to 2000, then the additional buildings could easily be used. Better than modulars. However, I think they could adapt the main building. It is large enough. The issue is the configuration. But, with three gyms, it seems to me they could have additional classrooms.

They aren’t going to open KAA as a high school campus where kids are routinely going in and out of three buildings. That’s completely inconsistent with their focus on enhanced security and all the money they recently spent to put West Potomac under one roof.

You are really trying to mislead people into thinking KAA can soon be a typical HS without a lot of additional money being spent.

Have you ever driven down Education Drive? Probably safer than going into trailers or modulars. Do high school kids go outside for physical education?

As for the sports, that is an issue. But, the main issue is that Reid has given little thought and her hires have not been especially good. This is a problem no matter how they implement KAA.

All I can say is that the reasons given for the boundary study apply in spades to this area. The school is needed as a traditional school. Any creative staff could figure out a way to do it and to do it soon.

But, then, these are the people who decided to delay a criminally overcrowded situation for another year. Go take a look at Coates campus.