Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

It is appealing to some STEM oriented kids who prefer an alternative high school experience. It’s good to have alternatives to the large comprehensive high schools, like HB and Tech. When the new high school building opens, it will likely fill up every year much like HB.

Sports of course would be at the home high schools except for Ultimate Frisbee, which every school or program has.

Oh I 100% agree it is great to have! I am glad it exists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

It is appealing to some STEM oriented kids who prefer an alternative high school experience. It’s good to have alternatives to the large comprehensive high schools, like HB and Tech. When the new high school building opens, it will likely fill up every year much like HB.

Sports of course would be at the home high schools except for Ultimate Frisbee, which every school or program has.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

One big difference, TJ regularly has 75-100 NMSF per year. I don't believe AT has ever had 1. I have had kids take IB/AP/DE classes. In terms of rigor, DE classes are far below AP/IB.

Right, they are very different programs both geared towards STEM.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

One big difference, TJ regularly has 75-100 NMSF per year. I don't believe AT has ever had 1. I have had kids take IB/AP/DE classes. In terms of rigor, DE classes are far below AP/IB.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Ha, I know I am not sure how to explain this. Kids at TJ I picture kids that are highly academically inclined that are basically devoting their life to school to get into a top college and likely STEM career. I mean TJ requires AP calculus to graduate. I think TJ also offer more math options than APS as a whole offer. TJ also has a high GPA entrance requirement and a high math entrance requirement whereas tech requires a C average.

Arlington Tech (and maybe I have a completely wrong view of it) seems like a school for kids that don't desire a traditional HS experience. Almost like one is a STEM vocational school and one is a college prep STEM school. I am not sure if that makes sense and maybe I am wrong! I am not trying to disparage tech kids at all so I hope it doesn't come off that way. I just think both schools serve two different but related purposes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

What is the profile of a kid at Arlington Tech? What's the profile of a kid at TJ?

Does anyone k ow what the construction timeline is? DD is interested but spending four years in a construction zone with limited music opportunities and having to take a bus back to the high schools for sports seems a bridge too far.

Anonymous wrote:Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Interesting saying it is similar to TJ. I do not mean this to be disparaging on the kids who attend Arlington Tech but having met the kids from both schools, I see very different student profiles. I personally do not consider the programs similar but maybe I am wrong?

Thanks PP, you are the real MVP

Online info night was last night. It sounds like AP options are limited since their real focus is the DE opportunity with NOVA. Limited music opportunities. No sports.

They have added a short-answer component to the lottery application. It sounds like it’s basically a chance for them to make sure families know what it is they are applying for before putting them in the lottery.

The students all seemed very passionate about their school. They were emphatic it was as rigorous as IB but different, as rigorous or even better than AP since it’s real college credit rather than taking a test. They said it’s a lot like TJ since they learn basically the same things.

One benefit similar to HB is the size. 87 kids in the class of 2023. There are 130 spots available for next year’s freshmen class.

Anonymous wrote:Do students participate in the music program at their home campus?

Not sure about now, but when the new Career Center high school building opens, I believe the expectation is for a robust music program not unlike HB’s, so no marching band, but most of the other music and performing arts programs. You should inquire though.

Do students participate in the music program at their home campus?

Thank you, PP. I should have specified that I particularly am trying to find out about the upper level courses and access to the range of classes especially in English, Social studies and languages. Clearly Tech is robust in the math and science areas, trying to figure out what's available onsite for a kid who is interested in project-based learning but is likely to want higher level or more challenging liberal arts classes.

AT parent here. They have a document with course pathways, but it seems to have disappeared from the website. I would reach out to them- they are very responsive.

Basically, all the classes are at AT. Although there might be special cases I not aware of, students don’t return to their home schools for classes.

If I remember correctly, there is not a lot of choice in 9th grade. Students have to take math, English, history, biology, Engineering and health/PE. Almost everyone does a foreign language. I forget the options they have in person, since my kid did Spanish. They do have other languages, and I think the option to have a remote class with a teacher from one of the other high schools is there for other languages. If you are interested in a rare language, I would definitely talk to them. For the last class, the students can take an elective from the career and technical (CTE) options.

Intensified classes are available for the core classes (math, science, history, and English). Most electives are from the CTE options, although I think they are also beginning to expand art and music choices. After 9th grade, engineering is an elective, not mandatory.

Can anyone point me to the list of classes available onsite at Arlington Tech versus those they have to go back to their home school to take? I'm on the APS website for the school and am not finding an easy reference.