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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity,  initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse.  Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it. [/quote]

I'm not trying to criticize ATS here.  But I can speak to people avoiding their neighborhood school.  It absolutely happens and for different reasons.  People in mostly white schools like the idea of diversity and/or the choice program philosophy.  White people in the high FRL districts often avoid their high FRL school and might also be interested in the instructional program as a bonus.  Some people just really want the choice program.  And a lot of people just think ATS is the end all be all or their kid isn't getting the best education if they don't go there because ATS scores are typically the highest in the district.

the ATS to HBWoodlawn path is absolutely illogical from an instructional philosophy perspective.  ATS is very structured and rigid.  HBW is the exact opposite.

I do think some of the instructional approaches are better at ATS and the expectations are high for every student.  However, historically, the principal has had too much influence on admissions and there hasn't been a lot of patience with students who don't fall in line or perform high enough or need too much in the way of special ed/accommodations.  Hopefully that has changed in the last few years??

OP, I'm very confident your child will thrive and be happy in either school.  She won't know the difference because whichever you send her to will be all she knows.  I don't think it's worth all the angst to make a decision and if you would prefer a little less stress and anxiety and less pressure, Drew is for you.  If you're hyper type-A typical Arlington helicopter micromanager parent who thinks nothing but the most elite will do for your child and their future success, go ahead and take the ATS slot.[/quote]

“ If you're hyper type-A typical Arlington helicopter micromanager parent who thinks nothing but the most elite will do for your child and their future success, go ahead and take the ATS slot.”

Omg just came across this thread. What is wrong with ppl? Seriously ppl in Arlington need to grow up. Why so much hatred towards one school all from ppl who don’t have experience with that school. My daughter is in ATS. I am certainly not type A (though I sometimes wish I were lol). ATS like most Arlington schools has many different types of parents who sent their kids there for various reasons. I personally sent my daughter to ATS because of its diversity. We are middle eastern and I liked the fact that ATS has students from many different cultures - more so than any Arlington school. Yes some are diverse but ATS has a lot of cultural diversity. Also liked the idea that in case we decide to move (we live in a small townhouse) we wouldn’t have to worry about switching schools and wouldn’t feel the need to look into our tiny area or Arlington. ATS is a great school. It’s great academically and has a wonderful music and art program. There are many good schools in Arlington as well. It’s not a competition. OP I say talk to ppl with kids at ATS and kids at Drew. Ignore everyone else. You can also always try it for a year and see if you like it. If you don’t your neighborhood school will always be there. I ended up loving it and am planning to enroll my youngest there as well (she just got accepted into their kindergarten program).  Also not sure why the hatred towards parents who send their kids to ATS and then HB Woodlawn. Like PP said, many of us aren’t married to a specific philosophy. [/quote]

I'm the one who made the type-A comment.  I didn't mean to imply that all ATS parents are like that.  I was trying to suggest to OP that if they fall on that end of the scale, she might be happier with ATS than Drew.  If she's not, then Drew would be fine.

While I don't harbor any hatred to ATS or HBW parents, I do object to parents taking slots at schools without being married to the instructional philosophy for their individual kid.  Different instructional models are intended to accommodate different types of learners.  Especially with HBW, the way admissions are done do not make any effort to match student need/learning style with the HB approach.  I don't care about immersion or montessori for my family; but I would resent not getting in while others who are just so-so or indifferent about the instructional model, or who are just trying to avoid their neighborhood school, take the seats.  [/quote]

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