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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]For those who have switched from Alexandria to Arlington, in what year did you make the switch (i.e., elementary, middle, high school?) and what were the pros and cons of the switch? 
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We did this before middle school.

Pros: Arlington schools are dramatically superior in programming, parent engagement and resources. We were really shocked as people who trick themselves into thinking ACPS is just fine have never experienced anything else. From enrichment programs in ES to school plays to science opportunities in the outdoor lab to TJ as an option, APS just operates on a completely different level. Ask any of the plethora of Alexandria parents who have made the switch.

Cons: Overcrowding and Affluenza.[/quote]

Overcrowding, as in big schools, or overcrowding, as in large class sizes (or both)?[/quote]

APS doesn’t have large class sizes; they are capped. Many of the schools themselves are over capacity, which bothers some people more than others. [/quote]

But the caps are reached in many schools,  and make for crowded classes.  Our neighbor is in a 5th grade class that has 30 kids in it.  And this is at a school that is way over capacity,  so the squeeze is not just in the classes proper but things like lunch, school activities etc.  My kids are in other grades, and don't have quite that many students, but still more than we experienced in ACPS, and they still feel the crunch outside the classroom.

OP, we did the switch mid elementary. It is hard to compare directly because I don't know what things would be like if we hadn't moved.  I will say that on balance I thought we had more great teachers in APCS.  I think APS relies too much on the iPad to teach, and didn't see that same perceived over reliance in ACPS (which didn't have the same 1:1 device policy like APS). The affluenza in APS is real,  but not as pronounced as I thought. The overcrowded schools has had more of an impact than I thought. There seem to be a few more academic opportunities in APS. If I could go back, I wouldn't undo the decision to switch (which was made for many reasons, not just schools), but there definitely wouldn't be a slam dunk case for purely school reasons.)[/quote]

This is helpful.  Thank you![/quote]

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