Reply to South Arlington elementary school boundary adjustments 2019

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

The demographics of Nauck have really changed. THe neighborhood school is not reflective of the neighborhood population anymore. We live in Nauck, we are UMC and go to Claremont. We also have a lot of neighbors that go to ATS and Hoffman Boston. I am not saying it is a mega rich neighborhood by any means but I don't know that it is overall high poverty anymore. THe neighborhood went from 97% black to something like 20%. If they force the neighborhood families to go to Drew I think it could really change the demographics of the school, but who knows. [/quote]

Yep, the neighborhood has attracted some UMC families. But they tend to send their kids to option schools - either Montessori, or, in your case, Claremont. Many of them are going to follow the Montessori program to the Henry building. Poverty in Nauck is still pretty high - at least 20 percent and probably higher, and that's Census data APS has published. Especially the portion south of Glebe Road. The children in poverty are probably mostly in the regular graded program at Drew, judging from test scores (which are highly correlated to family income). Eliminating choice schools and forcing Nauck residents to go to Drew? I don't think that's going to happen. Would you stand for it? It would be unfair for low-income kids who want to attend a choice school.

Given the relatively high poverty rate, the tendency for UMC Nauck residents with children to either move away or send their kids to choice programs other than Drew Model, my best guess is that the New Drew is going to resemble the current Model program, demographically. I think APS will be under the usual pressure to cherry pick/rezone nearby low-income and AH complexes to Drew to relieve overcrowding at Oakridge, which would probably change the current demographics modestly. It's always easier to rezone poorer families, they aren't as politically powerful. That was the case regarding Arlington Forest and Wakefield, just like it was true decades ago when the decision was made to bus Nauck students out of their neighborhood, instead of bringing white, wealthier students from outside Nauck to Drew.

Though it's identity is historically black, the neighborhood is now about a third black, a third Hispanic, a quarter white and about 10% Asian or multiracial. It was 60% black, 20% Hispanic, 20% white in 2000, so it's been awhile since it was near 100% African American. It's a neighborhood of mostly modest SFH and duplexes, most pretty well kept. It's easy to assume everyone living in them has the kind of income that would enable them to buy such homes in 2018. Some families do, but others don't; they live in homes whose mortgage was paid off by parents or grandparents a long time ago.[/quote]

Sorry by eliminating I didn't mean get rid of them completely, but right now Nauck has guaranteed admission into Claremont, Hoffman Boston, and Montessori if you attend Montessori preschool. By getting rid of guaranteed admission in all those areas you are bound to have a lot less people from Nauck attending choice schools. [/quote]

I understand now. Thanks for clarifying. However, avoiding the graded program at Drew is a big reason MC kids in Nauck go to Claremont, Hoffman, etc. not saying that's the case with you, but it's widely known that the model program at Drew is struggling. And the guaranteed option to go elsewhere was no doubt a consideration many UMC families made before buying a house in Nauck. Time will tell but I think many UMC families will move if they can't get into a choice school. Especially if APS chooses to rezone the poorest kids at abingdon and Oakridge to Drew.[/quote]

Oh it was a large part of why we bought in Nauck, so I get it. But I also think people may not be able to just move easily to get into a better school.  I know if Claremont removes sibling preference for our youngest we have no choice but to stay. I don't think Drew is going to be a quick fix, but 10 years from now? Who knows. It will be interesting to watch. [/quote]

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