Anonymous
Post 01/18/2012 20:39     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
Anonymous wrote:PP here -- if you are applying to one of the choice/countywide options, you are REQUIRED to take a tour of your neighborhood school and get sign-off from the principal to apply to one of the choice/countywide options.


We did this. The organized tours are for special programs, like ATS and language immersion. However, we also did a tour of our assigned school with the principal which was very helpful, and we ended up preferring it to one of the county-wide programs.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2012 18:16     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
I went on a tour with the principal and only four other parents. She spent more than an hour with us. Randolph ES in south Arlington. Was geared to K but probably because that's what all five us wanted.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2012 16:53     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
We also got an hour long tour from the person who has since became the new principal of Jamestown when our child was transferring to one of the upper grades. Very impressed. I've been on other group tours of other Arlington schools too, although these were geared more towards K level parents. We visited inside the classrooms at all three schools.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2012 09:24     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
I was in the process last year of touring schools and aside from the open houses, I was able to observe classes at several Arlington public schools--which are all AMAZING.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2012 07:04     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
Anonymous wrote:A principal might be willing to talk to you, but you are not going to be able to visit classroom. Are you kidding? This is public school.


This is completely untrue. We toured Jamestown before moving in last year. Principal showed us around, let kids into classrooms, etc. It was wonderful.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2012 11:31     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
PP here -- if you are applying to one of the choice/countywide options, you are REQUIRED to take a tour of your neighborhood school and get sign-off from the principal to apply to one of the choice/countywide options.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2012 11:27     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
Arlington parent here. The tours are geared toward families that are applying to one of the choice/county-wide options (immersion, Montessori, ATS). If you are sending your child to your neighborhood school and not considering the other options, there are usually events for new families before the school year starts.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2012 09:25     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
Anonymous wrote:I don't know about every elementary school, but we were given tours of two of our options. Our neighborhood school offered several Kindergarten open houses starting in January I think. You go, meet the principal, hear about the school and then tour the school. At that one we mostly walked through each classroom, and then spent about 15-20 minutes observing one of the K classrooms. We also went to the information session for one of the lottery schools. We got a tour there and got to spend time observing in all of the K classrooms. It was very helpful. You should check to see when your neighborhood school is having their sessions (as well as any other public options you're considering).


This is pretty standard at all of the Arlington schools I think and what we did for our now 1st grader. Most schools do not/can not give private tours because there are way too many potential students to do that. They would be giving tours all the time!
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2012 09:20     Subject: Re:Touring Arlington public schools
I don't know about every elementary school, but we were given tours of two of our options. Our neighborhood school offered several Kindergarten open houses starting in January I think. You go, meet the principal, hear about the school and then tour the school. At that one we mostly walked through each classroom, and then spent about 15-20 minutes observing one of the K classrooms. We also went to the information session for one of the lottery schools. We got a tour there and got to spend time observing in all of the K classrooms. It was very helpful. You should check to see when your neighborhood school is having their sessions (as well as any other public options you're considering).
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2012 01:47     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
In a similar position and I just talked to the principal at one possible school. She offered to let me observe the classroom. Not sure if all would do that though.

Otherwise info sessions are coming up soon.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2012 23:06     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
not true 22:36. every elem school in Arl will have open houses in the next several months geared for prospective K families, and classroom visit will most likely be included.

OP go to APS website to find out more
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2012 22:36     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
A principal might be willing to talk to you, but you are not going to be able to visit classroom. Are you kidding? This is public school.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2012 20:08     Subject: Touring Arlington public schools
Does Arlington County allow school tours the same way that private schools do? We're thinking towards next year (2013 start) and wondering if we can get the same chance to tour and visit classrooms the same way we would in parochial or independent private schools?

We're touring preschools now and it's got me thinking ahead as well.