I'm not against HB and admit I wish my kid got in, but I do think they should be just as overcrowded as other schools, ie, if other schools are at 120% capacity, HB should raise it's number to be at 120%. I would feel the same way if my child did get in.

Their class numbers are actually 80 per grade for middle school grades (I believe they only take 75 via lottery so they have 5 spaces left for "administrative" assignments) - so they should add another 16 spots per grade to go from 100% capacity to 120%.

HB students are already lucky enough to be in a small school environment so the least we can expect is that they share the pain of overcrowding with the rest of APS.

What I don't understand is why all Arlington schools can't have a "town hall" like HB Woodlawn. What is preventing them from being similar to that school? Why is there even a need for HB Woodlawn?

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking of making it my mission to take down HB. It is so unfair. Shouldn't be funding this "lucky 75" stuff with public funds. Cue the HB parents now calling me bitter .... 3, 2, 1. What's wrong with being bitter over this?

I wish you luck! It's absurd that children who could actually benefit from this school are locked out b/c parents are using it as an escape route form overcrowding. It's absurd that it's numbers are artificially low. The incoming 6th grade classes next year are huge. Why is HB only 75? Why are they spending SO much money on a school for so few? I abhor so much about this situation.

Its popularity is purely a function of how mediocre the alternatives have become.

I'm thinking of making it my mission to take down HB. It is so unfair. Shouldn't be funding this "lucky 75" stuff with public funds. Cue the HB parents now calling me bitter .... 3, 2, 1. What's wrong with being bitter over this?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:9th grade--- over 175 on Waitlist.

Hoping a lot of people were just experimenting!

175 from your middle school, or 175 total?

I'm the previous poster.

For 9th it is all one melting pot.

I just read the comment below that said there were 600 applicants and 75 spots.

At info night we were told it was about a 1 in 10 shot, so that's pretty consistent.

Over 600 applied for middle school for 75 spots. (That's what the guy from the lottery office told me.)

How many applied for middle?

6th grade-- #8 on the waiting list for our school zone. Not happening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No snark intended whatsoever, but can someone explain to me how HBW actually offers more "choice" than a regular MS or HS? I read through the course catalog, and it seems they have basically only two elective spots for most of MS, with foreign language taking one of those places? Isn't that the same everywhere?

My kids are still ES age, but this is coming up for us in the next couple years.

They develop self-direction skills in MS. In HS they work with faculty to develop new courses. Those aren’t necessarily in the catalog since they decide them at town meeting in the spring. Teachers also take on students for self-directed study equivalent to a thesis.

Thanks! That's really helpful.

Anonymous wrote:9th grade--- over 175 on Waitlist.

Hoping a lot of people were just experimenting!

175 from your middle school, or 175 total?

9th grade--- over 175 on Waitlist.

Hoping a lot of people were just experimenting!

Anonymous wrote:No snark intended whatsoever, but can someone explain to me how HBW actually offers more "choice" than a regular MS or HS? I read through the course catalog, and it seems they have basically only two elective spots for most of MS, with foreign language taking one of those places? Isn't that the same everywhere?

My kids are still ES age, but this is coming up for us in the next couple years.

They develop self-direction skills in MS. In HS they work with faculty to develop new courses. Those aren’t necessarily in the catalog since they decide them at town meeting in the spring. Teachers also take on students for self-directed study equivalent to a thesis.

Anonymous wrote:This is a BS process for a school like this. Kids should have to apply like for private school because it’s not a good fit for most kids.

I agree 100%

No snark intended whatsoever, but can someone explain to me how HBW actually offers more "choice" than a regular MS or HS? I read through the course catalog, and it seems they have basically only two elective spots for most of MS, with foreign language taking one of those places? Isn't that the same everywhere?

My kids are still ES age, but this is coming up for us in the next couple years.