Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:52     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?


They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.


Lucy Calkins made up a "structured literacy" program and McK uses it. So it's principal dependant.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:50     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter had two friends from ATS that joined her at Swanson in 6th grade. Neither girl loved it. Parents do, but that hasn’t been my experience with the actual kids who went there. I would look at Drew.


My child loves ATS. She was a struggling reader (before coming to ATS as a transfer) with ADHD and anxiety. She is thriving socially and academically at ATS. She feels accepted by her teachers and peers and frequently talks about how much she loves school. I’m sorry to hear these two friends of your daughter “ didn’t love” ATS. Wouldn’t you be able to find a set of kids at any school who didn’t love it?
It?


My child has a pack of kids who hang out at ATS afters school; all go to ATS 5th grade. They seem happy. Mine is.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:49     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?


ATS gets higher test scores because of the self-selecting nature of the population it serves (children of highly engaged, highly motivated parents).


FALSE

other schools have lower scores for those with learning disabilities and for those w ith lower incomes. Not ATS. It's an excellent school that focuses on literacy. It's that simple.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:46     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:My daughter had two friends from ATS that joined her at Swanson in 6th grade. Neither girl loved it. Parents do, but that hasn’t been my experience with the actual kids who went there. I would look at Drew.


My child loves ATS. She was a struggling reader (before coming to ATS as a transfer) with ADHD and anxiety. She is thriving socially and academically at ATS. She feels accepted by her teachers and peers and frequently talks about how much she loves school. I’m sorry to hear these two friends of your daughter “ didn’t love” ATS. Wouldn’t you be able to find a set of kids at any school who didn’t love it?
It?
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:34     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They have a heavy homework policy starting from K which I strongly disagree with and is not evidence-based.

If you care about that, look into it. You or your spouse will have a lot of homework to do in K and 1.


This is true. Our child is in ATS - daily kindergarten homework was a lot of writing like creating sentences/storywriting. It was a tough year for us as DD was learning multiple things at the same time - letter formation, spelling and grammar all rolled into one. But 2 years later, we realize that the hard work was all worth it. Now, DD has no problems with writing and is used to getting work done (even with our own supplements) - no whining.



I am the poster who disagrees with the homework.

Your kid would get to the same place without the heartache. It’s not good for them to be doing that stuff after a long day at school at that age.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:26     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
My daughter had two friends from ATS that joined her at Swanson in 6th grade. Neither girl loved it. Parents do, but that hasn’t been my experience with the actual kids who went there. I would look at Drew.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 17:23     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
ATS parent here. Here’s the thing about ATS: they believe that all kids are capable of great things and they work with each child where they are at to reach their full potential. I’m not saying that other APS don’t do that. But our personal experience at another APS ES school was vastly different.
I love That ATS sees what’s possible in all kids (struggling readers, strong readers, kids with learning differences, EL kids, Kids identified as gifted, etc,) and doesn’t seem to favor one set of learners over another. They are there to turn all kids into confident, capable learners.

The teachers are amazing and dedicated. It doesn’t seem to be hit or miss depending on which teacher your child gets.
The school really emphasizes the arts, and I think that’s an often overlooked aspect of the school. The music and fine arts programs are extremely strong and kids are exposed to a wide variety of artists, dancers, etc. at assemblies (even virtual assembly right now).

OP, I agree, listen to those who have kids at ATS and Drew. Don’t listen to people who don’t have first hand experiences at these schools and who assume they know what it’s like or have heard a story from a friend of a friend, etc.

I feel there’s a lot of unfair resentment towards ATS in certain segments of the APS community. It’s unfortunate as it’s truly an outstanding school. We personally feel that our child’s life has been greatly enriched by being able to attend this wonderful school.

Absolutely give ATS a serious look before deciding to turn down the spot.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:49     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?


They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.


Except for ATS has more experience with it since they have been doing it for years.

The thing about structured programs is that they don’t have a lot of room for user error. I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:47     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity, initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse. Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it.


Uhh option schools are not generally more diverse. If you’re in south Arlington, ATS probably won’t be more diverse.


I already said that Drew is diverse as well. I was responding to posts saying that ppl apply to ATS to escape diversity. ATS is diverse. Look it up.


But think about it: if you’re in south Arlington and are afraid of your kid going to school with kids on free or reduced lunch, you’re going to try to get into ATS.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:39     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?


They don't use Lucy Calkins!

The other schools won’t next year. They are moving to structured literacy.


Except for ATS has more experience with it since they have been doing it for years.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:37     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity, initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse. Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it.


Uhh option schools are not generally more diverse. If you’re in south Arlington, ATS probably won’t be more diverse.


I already said that Drew is diverse as well. I was responding to posts saying that ppl apply to ATS to escape diversity. ATS is diverse. Look it up.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:36     Subject: Re:Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why is ATS so popular with everyone? Is it that much better than all the neighborhood schools?


ATS gets higher test scores because of the self-selecting nature of the population it serves (children of highly engaged, highly motivated parents).


That may be the case of the children from parents of higher socio-economic backgrounds but isn’t that like most Arlington schools with families from the same background? Kids from low income backgrounds mostly come in through their VPE program and not because they specifically wanted their kids to go to ATS. Also ATS’ reading curriculum is based on the science of reading and they don’t use Calkins.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:33     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity, initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse. Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it.


Uhh option schools are not generally more diverse. If you’re in south Arlington, ATS probably won’t be more diverse.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:30     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity, initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse. Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it.


I will add that my daughter knows a lot of kids in the neighborhood and is friends with them. I also put her in her neighborhood girls scout troop. Neighborhood connections is definitely something you will need to work on. But also remember that Arlington is tiny and a lot of the kids going to ATS will love close by to your neighborhood as well.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2021 16:27     Subject: Arlington Traditional School
My daughter is in ATS in first grade. My second will be in their kindergarten class. We absolutely love it. Speaking of diversity, initially applied because our neighborhood school is all white (though it is such a wonderful school) and a friend suggested that this school would be a good fit for her since it was more diverse. Being not white ourselves, we felt like it would be good for her to go to a school where she didn’t feel different. We also wanted the flexibility of moving without having to have our kids switch schools. However we have come to love the school and appreciate it’s philosophy. First of all it is extremely diverse - with families from all over the world. Unlike our neighborhood school, it has a significant portion of its population that qualify for free and reduced lunch due to its VPE program (I’m assuming that drew is similar in that regard). What is unique about AT though, is the achievement gap is quite low. Everyone does well and it’s because of the resources the school puts into their students and also their teaching methods. Unlike many other Arlington schools for example, they stay away from Lucy Calkins. Their reading program is phonics based and ensures that kids learn how to read no matter what their socio-economic background is. I also love their focus on writing. My daughter was writing full sentences and paragraphs by the end of Kindergarten as were so many others in her class. Most of their work is done by hand and on paper so it really improves their fine motor skills. Yes there is homework which I was initially against but there is such a vast improvement in their writing and reading that I feel it is actually beneficial. I also love their focus on art and music. Don’t worry about it being “too much.” My daughter loves it and made lots of good friends. The teachers are warm and friendly and are a lot of fun. I remember my daughter telling me how funny her kindergarten teacher was. Apparently he would make them laugh a lot! And yes a lot of ATS parents want their kids to go to HB even though they are diametrically opposed philosophically. Many of us aren’t attached to a school philosophy - we just want a school that works and educates our kids. Option schools are generally more diverse because they pull from all over the county so I doubt people are sending their kids to ATS and HB to avoid diversity. Notice the critics of ATS here - the majority don’t have kids at ATS. I strongly believe that you should only talk about what you know. I know nothing about Drew. I’m sure like many Arlington schools it’s great (and I’m also assuming that because of its location, it is more diverse than our neighborhood school). But I can tell you that our experience with ATS has been great and we plan on sticking with it.