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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can I ask what Arlington middle school your kids would go to?  I’m asking because what you are describing has not been our kids’ experiences in APS at all. [/quote]

They don't go to middle school yet. They are in elementary school. I'm concerned about lowered academic standards (especially when it comes to writing) and disciplinary issues. I may be wrong so feel free to convince me otherwise! [/quote]

I’m the poster you are responding to. With the caveat that middle school tends to be the worst school experience for many kids, my kid who recently completed middle school had a positive experience. DC made a lot of new friends, was challenged academically, grew emotionally, and did very well.  He’s had several lengthy writing assignments and I’ve seen his writing evolve and improve over the last three years.  I do think some of this depends on the kid and the support they receive at home—my kid is strong academically and very driven and as a result may have avoided some of the problems you referenced (because a school experience may depend on the crowd a kid runs with). I also appreciate that Arlington is a diverse place with several different middle schools, and so my kid’s experience might have been different if they went to a different school (though, to be honest, I don’t think so based on what I know of my kid).

Have you spoken with parents of kids at your future middle school?  That may provide more accurate information than this forum. (The same is true for any Catholic schools you might be considering—I would suggest speaking to some parents directly about their experiences). [/quote]

OP here. Thanks! This makes me less worried. Do you mind sharing which middle school your child is in? Also was your child in general ed or honors classes? My understanding is that the experience is vastly different depending on which classes your kid takes. I have one child who is gifted so no doubt she will be able to handle the rigorous honors classes. But worried about my other child ending up in general ed. [/quote]

Williamsburg Middle School. At the time, the only intensified (honors) classes available were in math, so by default all other classes were general education (this is changing starting next year, so I can’t speak to what it will be like in the future).

Regarding your other post, DC read multiple novels; kids were required to leave their cell phones in their lockers during the day (so no access to phones); no standards based grading—to the contrary, kids that DC hung out with all tried to get As; quizzes etc were graded (I will confess DC did not have a lot of homework). [/quote]

WMS is a joke when it comes to learning to write and anything related to grammar. You could barely find a kid who doesn’t have straight A’s the grading is such a joke. My kid is not a genius.  Maybe smart but not exceptional. Zero homework. Straight A’s.  Zero challenge. [/quote]

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