I would second the parent that says to tour the school, talk to parents at the school.. maybe even attend a PTA meeting or event? You will get a feel for the school and that will tell you everything. I have a friend at Oakridge and not all that long ago that was not a great school. The parents got together and really worked to make that a great school and they love it there!

And since we are an ATS family... yes, ATS is not for everyone. Homework 4 nights in kindergarten is A LOT! Also, the school is very rigid. I have complained about a few things and the response is often, "we have been doing this for 30 years." All schools are different and what might be a great school for one family might not be a good fit for your family and vice versa.

STEM means that it will get even more special resources than it already is getting since it is struggling with achievement rates. Better than a crowded N. Arlington school with snobby parents, I say!

Anonymous wrote:Why would the STEM designation help? I'm sorry I am new to the county, and trying to research the public schools.

Because all you need to do is mention technology and parents think they've got the key to Being Competitive in the Twentieth Century.

Why would the STEM designation help? I'm sorry I am new to the county, and trying to research the public schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a STEM school?

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics

Arlington Science Focus School South (ASFSS) - NOT!

http://www.sungazette.net/arlington/education/school-system-plans-science-technology-focus-to-boost-hoffman-boston/article_f707f768-1ce2-11e1-900a-0019bb2963f4.html

County school officials believe an intensive focus on science and technology could be the solution to low attendance and low achievement rates at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School.

Officials on Dec. 1 rolled out a plan to inaugurate a “STEM” – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – curriculum at Hoffman-Boston, where nearly two-thirds of students are not native English speakers and where test scores have lagged in recent years.

[. . .]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is a STEM school?

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics

Arlington Science Focus School South (ASFSS) - NOT!

Anonymous wrote:What is a STEM school?

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics

What is a STEM school?

I agree with 15:29. Visit the school, talk to the principal, talk to neighbors whose kids go there. (Please don't waste your time talking to people who haven't had children enrolled there; they have no idea what they are talking about.) Ask the principal if you can sit in on a class. You might be very pleasantly surprised. If not, there are other options, which you've listed in your original post.

If you like your immediate neighbors, and live in a nice part of the crummy ES zone, I'd at least give it a chance before bailing for private school or moving further out.

Will it them become a county-wide school with lottery based admission?

Yes, the School Board voted to implement a STEM program at Hoffman-Boston.

Anonymous wrote:At a recent PTA meeting, I heard that Hoffman Boston was slated to become a STEM school - due to its failure to meet AYP for x amount of years, and the overcrowding problem in most elementary schools. Not sure if this was just a rumor, but I thought it sounded reasonable. Thoughts?

I say "even better!". I'm in FCPS, not ACPS, but at a minority majority school where 50%+ of the kids are FARM (it's a Title 1 school). The school didn't make AYP for two years in a row and got additional resources because of it. We love the school and the teachers. Sure, there are a lot of kids from disadvantaged backgrounds and the PTA isn't as robust as it is at the majority white schools but it's still a great school. In fact, in some ways, the lack of parental involvement has sort of made us superstars at the school. DH and I both WOH full time but we do try and make it to school events, show up for lunch twice a month and send in extra supplies/goodies. I think ALL the teachers know us and our kids and are very appreciative. I think it makes a big difference when the teachers/administrators know who you are and who your kids are.