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[quote=Anonymous]We are moving to Alexandria in about year and I am trying to think through school options for my DD, who will be entering 9th grade when we move next summer. She has been in a small private school until now. We are considering both public and private school options for her, but I could use some help understanding the logistics of how public school works. Here is what I think I know, along with some questions.  I'd be grateful for corrections/additions/thoughts from those with Alexandria experience!

-- As a 9th grader she'd be in a separate building with all the other 9th graders. Is this a completely contained 9th grade experience? What is the average class size?

-- My understanding is that there is not gifted and talented program for which students must be selected based on grades and test scores. If I am understanding this correctly, honors classes are open to all interested students. Is that right? Do they have to maintain a certain grade to stay in the honors classes? How does one go about determining which class levels would be appropriate for a child coming from a different school system?

-- For 10th to 12th, they go to TC Williams, right-- is the above also true for TC Williams, in terms of honors classes? More generally, do kids have much freedom in selecting their classes/areas of concentration, or is this basically set with little room for electives?

-- What is class size like at TC?

-- I have heard that TC is in some ways many schools within one big school. Could someone expand on that? If DD takes honors classes, is she likely to be with the same group of.... 50? 100? 200? kids in most of her classes (I don't mean in each class: I mean, is there is finite community of kids she will see throughout the day, so she can easily get to know people, or is she likely to be with a whole different batch of kids every hour?) I am wondering what it would be like for her to adapt, going from a small school where she has known the same fifty kids for a decade to a large public school. Is there much sense of community, or is TC Williams too large for kids to really get to know each other well if they don't already come in with strong friendships?

-- What is college counseling like for kids who do fairly well? And what about kids who get Bs -- where do they end up? Are there any statistics available on GPA/test scores and college destinations?

-- To what degree would you say that the curriculum "teaches to the test," versus offers creative and innovative approaches? Is there any room for personalized learning?

-- Any comments on teacher quality, overall? Can kids develop strong relationships with teachers, or is the school just too large for that?

-- What is the academic support like for kids who are overall high performers, but may struggle in a particular subject? Eg., DD struggles with math and is mildly dyslexic, though so far she has been able to get Bs and As. Would she be able to get help/support/accommodation if needed?

Sorry, a lot of questions, I know. Any answers appreciated. And yes, I do know TC Williams serves a racially and socio-economically diverse population and includes teen mothers, kids with little English, etc. For us this is a big plus, not a negative; our only concern is really about size, and whether sheer size and diversity of student backgrounds and needs makes classrooms impersonal and/or unmanageable for teachers. We would love DD to be in a more diverse school than she has been in previously -- but we also want her to feel that she's in an atmosphere in which it is possible to develop strong relationships with peers and teachers, and where she can both be challenged and can get help when needed.... Thanks!

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