There are many of us ACPS defenders out here, but we are tired of dealing with the posters who don't even live in Alexandria who for some reason feel they must tear down our schools at any opportunity. If you would like to meet with real parents with real students who are at one of the ACPS schools, please contact our PTAs. As we have stated repeatedly, the Alexandria school system serves a wide variety of students. No one is turned away. The 16-year-old girl who came from Afghanistan last year may not pass the Standards of Learning tests. The boy with Down syndrome may have major accomplishments that can't be measured on a traditional test. I happen to be glad that DC is able to meet these students at school.

In addition to providing enriching cultural experiences, TC is providing my child with the academic skills needed to succeed in college. DC recently scored 2250 on the SATs (first time DC took the test). DC attributed this score in part to her fabulous English teacher this year. DC also scored 5s on several APs last year as a sophomore, thanks to several great teachers. Also, by its nature as a large, public institution, TC does not "coddle" its students. One of the lowest grades that DC received was in 9th grade PE, because DC had not yet learned that deadlines were non-negotiable (after many years in private school). DC has learned that lesson now, which, I believe, will be critical to future success.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Not going to defend it, but still puzzled by your fixation on it given TC's similarly shitty performance and the fact that ACPS isn't offset by higher performing high schools elswewhere.

Yorktown doesn't offset the problems at Wakefield, it just masks them. In APS, we are working together to improve our schools.

I think you mean ACPS, not APS, but I agree that there's a positive attitude in the Alexandria schools these days.

Anonymous wrote:

Not going to defend it, but still puzzled by your fixation on it given TC's similarly shitty performance and the fact that ACPS isn't offset by higher performing high schools elswewhere.

Yorktown doesn't offset the problems at Wakefield, it just masks them. In APS, we are working together to improve our schools.

Anonymous wrote:i don't think I've ever read any ACPS defenders on this site. I have read a lot of people that confuse the acronyms for Alexandria vs Arlington County (Arlington county is APS-- Alexandria City is ACPS)

No, Alexandria has two or three ardent defenders.

i don't think I've ever read any ACPS defenders on this site. I have read a lot of people that confuse the acronyms for Alexandria vs Arlington County (Arlington county is APS-- Alexandria City is ACPS)

""Wakefield dropout rate is higher than Freedom or any other Prince William high school. Also higher than any high school in Manassas or Manassas City. It is lower than some schools in Norfolk and Richmond. Feeling better now?

Wonder what the APS defenders make of that. ""


Not going to defend it, but still puzzled by your fixation on it given TC's similarly shitty performance and the fact that ACPS isn't offset by higher performing high schools elswewhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would prefer some incompetence in ACPS to APS just sitting back and allowing Wakefield to become the dropout champion of NoVa.

Freedom in Prince William might have a bone to pick with you about that.

Wakefield dropout rate is higher than Freedom or any other Prince William high school. Also higher than any high school in Manassas or Manassas City. It is lower than some schools in Norfolk and Richmond. Feeling better now?

Wonder what the APS defenders make of that.

Anonymous wrote:Would prefer some incompetence in ACPS to APS just sitting back and allowing Wakefield to become the dropout champion of NoVa.

Freedom in Prince William might have a bone to pick with you about that.

Anonymous wrote:The good-old-boys club that used to run ACPS is gradually being thrown out by Sherman. Although a lot of people on this board beat up Sherman and ACPS, what's actually happening is a continuing house-cleaning. In the last 3 years, a majority of principals have been canned too. People who are socially wedded to private schools won't care, but the changes Sherman has been implementing are sweeping and have largely been effective.

Sherman just steers taxpayer money to his buddies, er, favored consultants. Such as Chris Dodd's wife.

Would prefer some incompetence in ACPS to APS just sitting back and allowing Wakefield to become the dropout champion of NoVa.

The good-old-boys club that used to run ACPS is gradually being thrown out by Sherman. Although a lot of people on this board beat up Sherman and ACPS, what's actually happening is a continuing house-cleaning. In the last 3 years, a majority of principals have been canned too. People who are socially wedded to private schools won't care, but the changes Sherman has been implementing are sweeping and have largely been effective.

This scandal is blowing up in the local newspapers and blogs. Check out the 4th reply to this article in the Alexandria Times. This will definitely get some parents fired up.

http://alextimes.com/2012/03/independent-audit-reveals-extensive-fiscal-mismanagement-by-school-employees-officials/

Anonymous wrote:I've never heard anyone on here defend the management of ACPS, which is pretty indefensible. I have heard people argue that individual schools are ok places.

Splitting hairs. The entire system reflects a culture that begins with the management.

I've never heard anyone on here defend the management of ACPS, which is pretty indefensible. I have heard people argue that individual schools are ok places.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-schools-insider/post/audit-blasts-alexandria-schools-management-as-dysfunctional/2012/03/09/gIQAYKhV1R_blog.html


This looks really bad. Also typical.