quick note on the focus on SOL in the upper grades....this is Arlington County. It comes from the Superintendent and State legislation (getting state and federal funding). Many of the wonderful neighborhood and choice schools in Arlington due to legislation are being required to teach to the SOL's....sad in my opinion....

They did hold a lottery. Two of my neighbors' children, who, like us, live in a "preferred zone", were placed on a wait list. My child received a place, and we plan to accept it. I'd love to here more feedback about the school from current families. What things do you love and what are the areas for improvement?

16:08 here again with one more question.

Does anyone have any feedback about the extended day program at Campbell? I have heard mediocre to negative things about it (from parents who otherwise love the school).

Thanks for the Campbell feedback, PP.

Did anyone apply to Campbell for a kindergarten spot in 2015 and not get in?

We got a space, but I'm just curious whether they had to hold a lottery, or whether they were able to offer K spaces to all applicants.

Oh and as for parent concerns:

Class size in 4/5
Wanting more time outside and more hands-on learning
Testing

PP here again...

There are still portfolios and no grades. There are also 3 conferences instead of 2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pros: Great teachers in a very supportive community environment. Love expeditions. Both K-1 combined and looping in the later grades worked for my now 5th grader. Students seem to like and support one another.

Cons: Growing student population means some of the things we loved -- especially small class size, K-1 combo, eat in classrooms, portfolios not report cards -- are being lost. Current principal seems on board with Superintendent's push to make every Arlington elementary school the same, so Campbell seems less like a choice school and more like any other school. On the other hand, the most vocal parent concern since we started remains parking.

Bottom line: It's not the Campbell we chose 6 years ago but we had an overall good experience.

Bump

More feedback on this would be helpful. Are there no longer portfolios? How much time for recess and lunch?

Campbell parent here...

It's true that the EL has been completely watered down in favor of the super wanting schools to be more homogenous, in my opinion.

The lower grades are much better than 4/5. 4/5 is very focused on the sol's.

The kids in lower grades spend more time with the garden docent (she's amazing) and their learning is more hands-on. The older grades just don't have as much time according to teachers and principal. Sol's...

Grades 4 and 5 will have very large class sizes next year.

30 minutes of recess. 25 for lunch- I think.

The Wetlands are rarely used and kids cannot play there during recess. Do not choose it if you think your child will be playing and learning in the Wetlands daily.

Parking isn't a problem since they started a kiss and ride line on Carlin Springs.

Administration and teachers are very strong.

All that said, it's still my favorite elementary in APS. We are leaving for private school next year because of class sizes and because of all the testing. I would not choose another elementary in APS over Campbell. My issues are with the system, not the school.

I hope this helps.

Anonymous wrote:Pros: Great teachers in a very supportive community environment. Love expeditions. Both K-1 combined and looping in the later grades worked for my now 5th grader. Students seem to like and support one another.

Cons: Growing student population means some of the things we loved -- especially small class size, K-1 combo, eat in classrooms, portfolios not report cards -- are being lost. Current principal seems on board with Superintendent's push to make every Arlington elementary school the same, so Campbell seems less like a choice school and more like any other school. On the other hand, the most vocal parent concern since we started remains parking.

Bottom line: It's not the Campbell we chose 6 years ago but we had an overall good experience.

Bump

More feedback on this would be helpful. Are there no longer portfolios? How much time for recess and lunch?

Bump. I'm especially interested in any other thoughts relating to PP's post at 13:54 on 1/8/14. Do others agree that those things are being lost? It seems that's what differentiates Campbell. Thank you for any feedback.

Anonymous wrote:Bump -- we're looking at Campbell Elementary for fall 2013 and I was hoping folks might be willing to offer their insights about the school given that the prior comments are now about two years old. Thanks!

bump

I'd love to know how well kids from Campbell transition to and perform in middle school in a non-EL learning environment. Are they as well-prepared as their counterparts from other elementary schools in Arlington?

Pros: Great teachers in a very supportive community environment. Love expeditions. Both K-1 combined and looping in the later grades worked for my now 5th grader. Students seem to like and support one another.

Cons: Growing student population means some of the things we loved -- especially small class size, K-1 combo, eat in classrooms, portfolios not report cards -- are being lost. Current principal seems on board with Superintendent's push to make every Arlington elementary school the same, so Campbell seems less like a choice school and more like any other school. On the other hand, the most vocal parent concern since we started remains parking.

Bottom line: It's not the Campbell we chose 6 years ago but we had an overall good experience.

bump -- another NP here considering Campbell for my daughter -- looking for recent feedback from parents with kids there. thanks!

NP here. Is the number of SN kids at Campbell really an issue or just the perception of a few?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted about the large percentage of special needs kids in the school. Not sure why the PP was shocked about that being a concern. It IS a concern if many of my child's peers might be on the Autism-spectrum etc... it makes for a very different school experience.

NP here, in what ways specifically please?

Not the PP, but I get the sense that you're looking to take offense at this.

In any classroom, the makeup of the class will play a part in the way that the material is taught -- how it's presented, at what pace, the level of intellectual challenge that the kids get from each other. A classroom with a larger than typical proportion of kids who are ESL, behaviorally challenged, SN or simply at a different level of preparation from your child (whether more advanced, or further behind) will require a teacher to adapt her lesson plans accordingly. That could end up being a good thing or a bad thing.