Anonymous
09/13/2023 10:58
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
Sure. I’m all for direct instruction. Done.
High academic and behavioral expectations? How is that not already the norm? The problem is that you need parental support when a kid is failing in someway, and the 1-5 kids in every class who are the most challenged consume 20-30% of teachers time and energy and the parents don’t support them.
At ATS every parent is engaged and teachers get that support at home when problems arise. Because engaged parents jump through the lottery hoops and accept trade offs of a school not in neighborhood.
Are you saying that parents in Tuckahoe, Nottingham, Cardinal, Jamestown and Discovery are not engaged? My kid went to Tuckahoe then switched to ATS. Trust me when I say that the parents in the schools that I listed are more engaged than ATS parents. They are actually a little too engaged if you ask me.
There are different types of engagement.
Anonymous
09/13/2023 10:57
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
Sure. I’m all for direct instruction. Done.
High academic and behavioral expectations? How is that not already the norm? The problem is that you need parental support when a kid is failing in someway, and the 1-5 kids in every class who are the most challenged consume 20-30% of teachers time and energy and the parents don’t support them.
At ATS every parent is engaged and teachers get that support at home when problems arise. Because engaged parents jump through the lottery hoops and accept trade offs of a school not in neighborhood.
Whether you get the parent cooperation or not, the expectation and effort should still be there. Other schools just operate under the understanding and expectation that they don't and won't have 100% parents fully involved, as they continue to go through the motions of making the effort to get them involved. You don't lower your expectations for the students, and not for the students whose parents are involved.
Anonymous
09/13/2023 10:56
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do we all really feel like ATS is that different compared to the other lottery schools and neighborhood schools?
these probably do not mean much when you look at the big picture. but I see ATS listed in the top 5 always.
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/virginia
wish we would have tried for ATS back when our first was starting K.
Sometimes I do, too. But then middle school would have been an even bigger leap down anyway.
This is the issue here. Middle schools at APS suck. Seems like we have a lot of good elementary schools and overall good high schools (assuming you don't end up being a kid overdosing on drugs). Not sure how to make our middle schools better. No-one I have spoken to is excited about their kids middle school. They all seem to be pretty mediocre.
Anonymous
09/13/2023 10:54
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
Sure. I’m all for direct instruction. Done.
High academic and behavioral expectations? How is that not already the norm? The problem is that you need parental support when a kid is failing in someway, and the 1-5 kids in every class who are the most challenged consume 20-30% of teachers time and energy and the parents don’t support them.
At ATS every parent is engaged and teachers get that support at home when problems arise. Because engaged parents jump through the lottery hoops and accept trade offs of a school not in neighborhood.
Are you saying that parents in Tuckahoe, Nottingham, Cardinal, Jamestown and Discovery are not engaged? My kid went to Tuckahoe then switched to ATS. Trust me when I say that the parents in the schools that I listed are more engaged than ATS parents. They are actually a little too engaged if you ask me.
Anonymous
09/13/2023 10:54
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Do we all really feel like ATS is that different compared to the other lottery schools and neighborhood schools?
these probably do not mean much when you look at the big picture. but I see ATS listed in the top 5 always.
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/virginia
wish we would have tried for ATS back when our first was starting K.
Sometimes I do, too. But then middle school would have been an even bigger leap down anyway.
Anonymous
09/13/2023 05:52
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
Sure. I’m all for direct instruction. Done.
High academic and behavioral expectations? How is that not already the norm? The problem is that you need parental support when a kid is failing in someway, and the 1-5 kids in every class who are the most challenged consume 20-30% of teachers time and energy and the parents don’t support them.
At ATS every parent is engaged and teachers get that support at home when problems arise. Because engaged parents jump through the lottery hoops and accept trade offs of a school not in neighborhood.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 21:43
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Do we all really feel like ATS is that different compared to the other lottery schools and neighborhood schools?
Yes. Neighborhood school and then ATS. Two kids there now. Parent involvement is a big part of ATS but a lot of differences compared to our neighborhood school.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 21:02
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
We didn’t try for ATS but based on outcomes alone I wish the district did more to replicate it in other schools
Anonymous
09/12/2023 17:13
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Do we all really feel like ATS is that different compared to the other lottery schools and neighborhood schools?
these probably do not mean much when you look at the big picture. but I see ATS listed in the top 5 always.
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/virginia
wish we would have tried for ATS back when our first was starting K.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 16:58
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Do we all really feel like ATS is that different compared to the other lottery schools and neighborhood schools?
Anonymous
09/12/2023 16:34
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
This seems like such a copout. I keep hearing other schools can't implement ATS best practices because of not having parent involvement. It's just assumed there isn't parent involvement if a school has a high FARMS rate. It's so frustrating and it feels wrong that should be the assuming of schools with different demographics.
Agree. My experience with/impression of the parents at our title 1 elementary school (one of the highest) is that these parents in particular go along with whatever the school philosophy is. Thing is, without having the comparison with the wealthier NA schools or ATS, they don't know how different the schools are.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 16:14
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
It's not necessarily that other schools don't do these things; rather it's the extent to which they do or don't and also the proportion of students they have who pose more challenges, either behaviorally or academically or both. But it does begin with approach and expectations and, DISCIPLINE. I've watched (and my kids have experienced) APS continually water down expectations to its own detriment and the detriment of its students.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 16:07
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
This seems like such a copout. I keep hearing other schools can't implement ATS best practices because of not having parent involvement. It's just assumed there isn't parent involvement if a school has a high FARMS rate. It's so frustrating and it feels wrong that should be the assuming of schools with different demographics.
Anonymous
09/12/2023 14:41
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.
ATS isn't just about homework and tucked in shirts. There is a lot more to the school and schools can implement ATS best practices without having kids do homework. Best practices include:
- Direct teacher led instruction as opposed to inquiry based learning. Here is an article on the importance of direct instruction when it comes to math: https://www.city-journal.org/article/californias-math-framework-is-flawed Direct instruction is a pedology that has a positive effect on learning outcomes. Inquiry based learning on the other hand has a negative correlation. APS should move away from inquiry based learning and adopt direct instruction. See also Natalie Wexler on cognitive load theory: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/
- High academic expectations. ATS expects that students have the ability to do well, no matter what their background. If a student is below grade level, the school will do everything it can to bring that student up to grade level.
- High behavioral expectations: It is difficult to learn if you have erasers and pencils thrown at you in class. Schools should focus on creating a safe learning environment that is conducive to learning. ATS does that with its focus on behavior and character
Anonymous
09/12/2023 14:15
Subject: First grader going to Arlington Traditional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Hi all I’m the original poster - we did take the spot at ATS and so far have received more feedback and just general info from our whole year at the neighborhood school. I can tell the teachers are super involved and also the parents in our child’s class have reached out. It has been a drastic difference in a couple short weeks. Our child is still adjusting to the early start time and becoming familiar to new ways but as of now I think we are happy solely based on the communication from ATS compared to our neighborhood school.
Glad you are having a good experience so far OP! There was a world of difference between my well regarded neighborhood school and ATS. You don’t realize how much better school can be until you have experienced a truly excellent school.
DP. What is it going to take to get APS to realize this and just make all our schools ATS-es. They don't all have to have the same strictness about tucked in shirts; but seriously - it is clearly effective academically.
This. Get rid of the fads and implement the ATS best practices in all schools.
It won't work at other schools because you won't have parent involvement, and many parents are anti homework because it interferes with sports etc.