Claremont parent here. Prior to the 2011-2012 school year there were four kindergarten classes. There was a waitlist that year (note: all priority area children were accepted - it was the secondary region that had a wait list and most, if not all, of those children ultimately go in to Claremont).

Starting in 2011-2012 there were six kindergarten classes and no wait list. There was also a fifth 1st grade class that year to allow for additional new first grade students at the school. There have been six K classes since then, with each grade above adding 1-2 classes to accommodate the "surge."

Claremont (and Key, and ATS - and all choice county schools) are being forced to expand enrollment as overall county enrollment increases.

Please note that Key and Claremont draw from different areas of the county (Claremont was actually started due to the overwhelming demand when Key was the only immersion option in the county).

We love Claremont and it has been an excellent fit for our children and for our family.

Anonymous wrote:I think Key is great and attracting lots of students and very popular etc., but I also think the property values in the Key zone are high largely due to the proximity to metro and the easy commute into DC.

Property values are also high because of ASFS. ASFS is the same boundary as Key.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Increased enrollment doesn't necessarily mean the school's popularity is increasing exponentially (although it seems like a great school and I hope to send my kids, so I'm biased towards thinking that immersion is, in fact, becoming more popular). The number of kids in the system is increasing, so just about every school is approaching or exceeding capacity, right?

Usually, but in the case of Key, no one is there who doesn't want to be -- anyone who is zoned to Key can go to Science Focus instead.

No, no one is there whose PARENT doesn't want them to be.

I think Key is great and attracting lots of students and very popular etc., but I also think the property values in the Key zone are high largely due to the proximity to metro and the easy commute into DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ I agree. But I also think a lot of the schools have experienced unanticipated upticks in enrollment across the board.

Yes, but some more than others. Maybe you're overlooking the fact that school and then price is the strongest pull for people moving to any specific neighborhood around here - Arlington. The most sort after neighborhoods have the most crowded schools. I think being 4th largest speak for Key's immersion popularity. And don't forget to consider that Claremont being now the most overcrowded school in South Arlington speak to the popularity of the immersion program as well. Let's not forget the snobbiness that goes on on this board about schools in South Arlington. The only school that has jumped 17% in population in just 1 year in SA is Claremont. Most of the other schools are currently under enrollment.

Oakridge in South Arlington is also overcrowded with enrollment numbers on par with Claremont. It one of the most overcrowded schools in the County!

Anonymous wrote:^^ I agree. But I also think a lot of the schools have experienced unanticipated upticks in enrollment across the board.

Yes, but some more than others. Maybe you're overlooking the fact that school and then price is the strongest pull for people moving to any specific neighborhood around here - Arlington. The most sort after neighborhoods have the most crowded schools. I think being 4th largest speak for Key's immersion popularity. And don't forget to consider that Claremont being now the most overcrowded school in South Arlington speak to the popularity of the immersion program as well. Let's not forget the snobbiness that goes on on this board about schools in South Arlington. The only school that has jumped 17% in population in just 1 year in SA is Claremont. Most of the other schools are currently under enrollment.

Anonymous wrote:Increased enrollment doesn't necessarily mean the school's popularity is increasing exponentially (although it seems like a great school and I hope to send my kids, so I'm biased towards thinking that immersion is, in fact, becoming more popular). The number of kids in the system is increasing, so just about every school is approaching or exceeding capacity, right?

Usually, but in the case of Key, no one is there who doesn't want to be -- anyone who is zoned to Key can go to Science Focus instead.