I think Sears may be a bit pessimistic.

The School Board has a history of doling out small favors to McLean near elections. Shortly before the 2019 elections, they amended to CIP to authorize a Langley/McLean boundary study, which held out the promise of some relief (thought it was later undercut by Tholen's replacing a staff recommendation with a smaller boundary change that put the burden of Tysons growth back on McLean, rather than dividing it between Langley, McLean, and Marshall).

Wouldn't be surprised if prior to the fall 2023 election they either adjust the CIP to provide for an addition to McLean similar to the Madison addition or release a new renovation queue that contemplates a full renovation of the school at some future date (not within the next few years but well before 2042).

However, people at MHS have been burned so long by the School Board that many will want to vote members out either way. Some remember when Janie Strauss lied to our faces that FCPS had drawn up all the plans for an addition to McLean and that it would get an addition before any kids were ever moved to Langley.

One of FCPS' biggest blunders that led to an accelerated collapse of enrollment at Lewis was hosting the ESOL young adult newcomer pilot program at Lewis and Justice about 10 years ago. This led to a larger than normal enrollment in ESOL students, ages 18-22, for a couple of years at that time. Lewis and Justice were essentially designated as ESOL magnets for that pilot program.

While the program was actually a great success as far as improving outcomes for those enrolled ESOL students, the VDOE test scores and metrics showed otherwise. Of course, we all know a 20 year-old with level 0 English proficiency will fail standardized exams, but yet their scores still counted against Lewis and Justice. In just a few years the average "equity" scores at those schools took a tumble and never recovered.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As Elaine Tholen continues to look out only after the interests of her Great Falls neighbors, leaving McLean HS ridiculously overcrowded, it's no surprise the McLean Citizens Association continues to poke at the issue of incorporating as a separate city.

https://sungazette.news/activists-ponder-should-mclean-go-the-incorporation-route/

McLean won't be able to separate from the county, but they should separate Tholen from her seat on the School Board.

Worth noting that the incorporation question has almost nothing to do with enrollment at McLean HS (which isn't even mentioned in the article).

"The resulting entity either would need to provide municipal services – schools, police, fire and rescue, public works, parks and recreation, roads, courts, planning and zoning, etc. – or contract to do so with a nearby jurisdiction, such as Fairfax County."

"Board member David Pritchett said cost should not be the only factor, and affluent McLean could afford to spend more to reduce class sizes."

"By having its own education system, McLean would be able to respond to school-facilities needs more quickly, said board member Joanne Sears, who added McLean High School will not be spruced up again until 2042.

Anonymous wrote:As Elaine Tholen continues to look out only after the interests of her Great Falls neighbors, leaving McLean HS ridiculously overcrowded, it's no surprise the McLean Citizens Association continues to poke at the issue of incorporating as a separate city.

https://sungazette.news/activists-ponder-should-mclean-go-the-incorporation-route/

McLean won't be able to separate from the county, but they should separate Tholen from her seat on the School Board.

Worth noting that the incorporation question has almost nothing to do with enrollment at McLean HS (which isn't even mentioned in the article).

As Elaine Tholen continues to look out only after the interests of her Great Falls neighbors, leaving McLean HS ridiculously overcrowded, it's no surprise the McLean Citizens Association continues to poke at the issue of incorporating as a separate city.

https://sungazette.news/activists-ponder-should-mclean-go-the-incorporation-route/

McLean won't be able to separate from the county, but they should separate Tholen from her seat on the School Board.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

One percent of graduates earning the IB diploma shows terrible results at the top end, which likely are reflected in the other lower level metrics that you mentioned. And AP is better for a la carte courses if that is the way they are going to be taken. AP is also less expensive. FCPS is not obligated to maintain two different sets of advanced courses. Simplify everything in the county by making all schools AP.

I would support a School Board candidate that pledged to take a serious look at IB. Unfortunately there are a few members who just won't give IB up.

The only people who will try to explain this poor showing away as anything less than grim are (1) die-hard IB supporters; (2) West Springfield parents who want to suggest Lewis is doing great to squelch any redistricting talk; and (3) Lewis-zoned parents who want to suggest IB is succeeding at Lewis so they can keep pupil-placing their kids to AP schools.

Otherwise it’s a clear distress sign.

What a crock.

The Lewis zoned parents on this thread keep defending the abysmal desults of only 4 students graduating with an IB diploma. Who knows why. Perhaps it is because they want to keep that IB loophole so they can transfer out of Lewis.

No WSHS parent cares whether or not Lewis is IB. It does not affect their school one iota. What they have commented on is that IB does not make any sense at neigbboring Lewis because the program sucks and because it has zero appeal or usefulness to military families.

Keep your IB if you are so attached to it.

If my kid was zoned for an IB school with such poor results as Lewis IB program, I would fight like hell to either get rid of the program, or transfer my kkd to an actual AP school, including a Catholic high school if all else fails.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

One percent of graduates earning the IB diploma shows terrible results at the top end, which likely are reflected in the other lower level metrics that you mentioned. And AP is better for a la carte courses if that is the way they are going to be taken. AP is also less expensive. FCPS is not obligated to maintain two different sets of advanced courses. Simplify everything in the county by making all schools AP.

I would support a School Board candidate that pledged to take a serious look at IB. Unfortunately there are a few members who just won't give IB up.

The only people who will try to explain this poor showing away as anything less than grim are (1) die-hard IB supporters; (2) West Springfield parents who want to suggest Lewis is doing great to squelch any redistricting talk; and (3) Lewis-zoned parents who want to suggest IB is succeeding at Lewis so they can keep pupil-placing their kids to AP schools.

Otherwise it’s a clear distress sign.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

One percent of graduates earning the IB diploma shows terrible results at the top end, which likely are reflected in the other lower level metrics that you mentioned. And AP is better for a la carte courses if that is the way they are going to be taken. AP is also less expensive. FCPS is not obligated to maintain two different sets of advanced courses. Simplify everything in the county by making all schools AP.

I would support a School Board candidate that pledged to take a serious look at IB. Unfortunately there are a few members who just won't give IB up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

Weak.

How so?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

Weak.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

How many IB classes are being taken? How many juniors and seniors take 1, 2, 3, 4 or more IB classes during high school? Looking at IB diplomas awarded is only one metric and is not the best metric to use. Should FCPS high schools no longer offer AP classes if only have single-digit graduates with the Capstone?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

C’mon. You know a high school IB program at a school with 400 or so seniors and only 4 IB diploma graduates sucks big time.

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Achievement is not measured by IB diplomas alone.

And the faux “concern” for Lewis is pretty transparent.

Regardless of the school’s name, an FCPS high school with an IB program that produces only four IB diploma recipients in a graduating class needs to pull the plug on IB. It’s nuts they think they are honoring John Lewis by associating his name with such poor achievement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Clearly IB is a waste of money and resources at several of those schools. It requires special certification and costs a lot more money.

There is no was FCPS can justify IB at a school graduating si gle digits of kids with the IB diploma.

When you look at Marshall’s numbers, it seems clear that an infusion of neighborhoods from WSHS would catalyze Lee’s IB participation and performance.

Lee only had 4 seniors graduate with an IB diploma...

that’s pretty impressive for a place that no longer exists.

Lol. Should have said Lewis had only 4 IB grads.