Go to Drew!! (we are #14 on the ATS waitlist) Do it! Hehe

They have a heavy homework policy starting from K which I strongly disagree with and is not evidence-based.

If you care about that, look into it. You or your spouse will have a lot of homework to do in K and 1.

Can somebody point me to where I can find out more about the Lucy Caulkins news?? I hadn’t heard about that! That is fantastic!

Given the growing pains ATS is likely to be going through next year with the move to the new building, plus the plans to expand the school, I probably would strongly consider Drew as an alternative. The school will be well under capacity so the physical space will be very nice, and APS has moved some very strong educators over there since the Montessori program left.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.

“They are moving”

How quickly? Will any schools use LC this fall?

I don’t believe so. OP a quick call to Drew would answer this if that’s a concern for you.

Anonymous wrote:My rising Kindergartner won a spot in the lottery for ATS. Our neighborhood school is Drew. I signed her up for all the Option schools, I mean, why not, I like options. Now I have an option-- ATS. I hear the principal at Drew is great, and I love the diversity of Drew. But now that ATS is an option.... I'm going back and forth. I'd love to hear from some ATS parents! We are friends with some families here in Green Valley, and most of them do not send their kids to Drew, all the ones I know (and yes, they are all white) send their kids to private schools or are in Claremont or APS Montessori. Thoughts?

Go to Drew.
Unless you need perfect snowmen that are identical to all the other kids' snowmen and want a phone call whenever your child won't tuck-in their shirt.

Yes, ATS is an excellent school and tops academically. But take it from me, 19 years' worth of APS experience, there is so much more of value (your kids getting to know other kids in your community who don't look and sometimes don't sound like them; learning that others struggle more; learning empathy and understanding via firsthand life experiences rather than theoretical appreciation of diversity and helping through charities; and better physical and mental health from not being stressed out or pressured to perform or experiencing high anxiety because teachers and admin put the fear of God in them that they must "pass advanced" every SOL or they won't be able to take intensified Algebra in middle school etc. Drew is a nice, spacious building with spacious outdoor area. It's not crowded and your child will still get a strong education preparing them for middle school.

I don't have firsthand experience or knowledge about Drew's principal - just her reputation and what others have commented about how absolutely fantastic she is and how she turned Hoffman Boston around. But because of those comments, I strongly encourage you to talk to Hoffman Boston parents who have that direct experience and knowledge of her and how she impacted that school, as well as current Drew parents who have been there through the transition. All ATS parents are going to tell you ATS is the best and absolutely take it, especially if your alternative is Drew. Very few of those parents will have ever had direct experience with Drew and just know the historical reputation of its poor performance. I do know some of the teachers who are now at Drew who used to be elsewhere - and they are excellent; some of the best from their previous school(s).

My advice is go to Drew and expand your circle to include others in the neighborhood who attend the same school as your kid(s).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.

“They are moving”

How quickly? Will any schools use LC this fall?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.

We loved ATS -- one of the draws for me personally was that it was close to my office so even though I lived in South Arlington, it was easier to get to for school events during the day. Also, we had always planned on moving at some point so not having to change elementary schools was appealing. (didn't ever move!). We liked their emphasis on music for all kids and of course, reading. Our kids are rule followers, so they preferred a more rigid routine. They loved it.

Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

ATS gets higher test scores because of the self-selecting nature of the population it serves (children of highly engaged, highly motivated parents).

Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

They don't use Lucy Calkins!

I have heard that ATS has a great parent community. I never entered that lottery because my kids wanted to attend our neighborhood school, Oakridge, because they wanted to go to school with friends and walk to school. That worked out really well for us (especially since DC got into HBW). But you probably can’t go wrong either way!

Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?

Congratulations. No help but I’m jealous. We are waitlist number 214. I’m so disappointed

My rising Kindergartner won a spot in the lottery for ATS. Our neighborhood school is Drew. I signed her up for all the Option schools, I mean, why not, I like options. Now I have an option-- ATS. I hear the principal at Drew is great, and I love the diversity of Drew. But now that ATS is an option.... I'm going back and forth. I'd love to hear from some ATS parents! We are friends with some families here in Green Valley, and most of them do not send their kids to Drew, all the ones I know (and yes, they are all white) send their kids to private schools or are in Claremont or APS Montessori. Thoughts?