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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Let's remember that ATS's "success" refers to its standardized test scores. You may like it's culture or not. But if your kid didn't get in and you're disappointed, you can replicate the requirements and test prep at home while your kid attends their neighborhood school.

And in 6th grade it won't matter anymore.[/quote]

Why should parents have to fill the gaps for schools that aren’t teaching their kids to read and do math? This is not a new problem in APS.  I give the superintendent credit for putting it on a dash board for the community to see how many kids in APS need support for foundational skills.

ATS is getting it right which is why the wait list is so huge there. [/quote]

You do know that other schools are teaching kids, right? If you want your kid to play an instrument and tuck in their shirt, insist that they do so. If you want your kid to do homework every night, give them some worksheets. If you want your kid held back if they aren't reading in kindergarten, say so. [/quote]

You do know that there huge numbers of kids in APS who are not reading and doing math on grade level, right? You do know that there are alot of parents paying for tutors because APS has not taught their kids to read or do math, right? ATS has the lowest number of kids who need support of any school in APS.  More parents want that for their kids. [/quote]

Yep!!!! Can't agree more. We are not at ATS but have friends with kiddos there who are the same age. It's drastic the difference between them (yes kids are different but it really comes out with their reading). Our kids were "reading" by guessing. Using the pictures for everything. We have had to pay out of pocket for a tutor from 1st to 4th grade to help correct this and finally get our DC on grade level reading. This only happened because we can afford the tutor. Not everyone can and I don't think anyone should have to. APS needs to step things up.[/quote]

We’re paying for reading tutors now and I can’t believe we spend this much to live in Arlington and have to pay for reading tutors.  I wish we had considered ATS. [/quote]

The most important thing is you figured it out early and that your kids are getting the help they need. I would write to the school board, Dr Duran, the ELA Department, and perhaps even the principal of your school. You should explain what you are doing and how much you are paying to improve your children’s reading skills. APS should know that the improvements that some kids are making in reading are the result of their parents paying for tutors and not because of APS. [/quote]

Thanks for that suggestion. It seems like it's really common for APS parents to need reading tutors and I've been shocked that the problem is so widespread with or without the pandemic. I just assumed that school would teach my kid to read. We read at home and go to the library and have too many books, but never expected that I would need to pay someone to teach my kid to read. We'll be trying for the ATS lottery for our second kid. [/quote]

We are in the same boat with attempting to get our second in at ATS. I don't even care that it would mean two different drop-off locations and two different pickups. With the amount of time and money we put in to continue paying for supplemental help for our 5th grader, it would be worth it! [/quote]

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