McKinley has a playground. They do not have a field and they DO NOT go to Madison Manor park to use that field.

Does McKinley have a playground but no filed space, or no playground or field space?

Ashlawn was predicted to grow faster. That is why the planning units that were slated to go to Ashlawn from McKinley stayed at McK. To the surprise of no one, the predictions were incorrect and so leaving the units at McK and adding the ones from Glebe & Tuckahoe created a real inequity.

Also, the issue isn't really about trailers. It's about what is left on the site when the trailers are in place and what resources are provided to the school. In McK's case, the trailers take up the only field remaining after the construction. There is literally no field and Madison Manor park is too far to be used for classes. Additionally, if people like Barbara K refuse to give schools more resource staff, at some point, kids are going to suffer.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to all who clarified my transfer concerns. I spoke to 2 school admins (including the registrar) who told me i would have to re-apply each year but I suppose they both wanted to talk me out of trying because their school (Ashlawn) is also supposedly over-capacity, with trailers.

I know several McKinley parents who still rave about the school (principal, teachers, staff, facility) despite the construction mess they endured. They don't seem concerned about the large influx of students and lack of field (because the Madison manor playground a few blocks away can be used and the kids can play in the new gym).

But I feel as if my rising K student will be short-changed, especially if he ends up needing special ed or gifted services. And for extended day, I can't imagine where they would all fit to play outside. Since there is no proper field, I guess they could practice rolling down the hill!

If I am not mistaken, the school is predicting at least 6 incoming kindergarten classes?!

This is incorrect. I am not sure about capacity percentages, but children are not in trailers at Ashlawn, and they do enjoy their playgrounds and fields. Ashlawn did grow rapidly a few years back, and I remember the trailers there, but thankfully the transition is over and I can say that it was handled very well.

This thread has really turned me off the idea of ever considering a move to Arlington.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've spoken to a SB member and brought up that exact concern (having to reapply) and he said it was absolutely not the case.

Also, Discovery is projected less than 95%.

Either he doesn't know or he's not being honest. It is the case now. And they make sure to tell you that, too, to make it less attractive.

I would direct anyone who is telling you that you have to reapply every year to the APS website- that clearly states you don't. It's the first sentence-
https://www.apsva.us/school-options/elementary-school-choices/area-and-countywide-elementary/how-to-apply/

That's the countywide/option school policy.

For neighborhood transfers, currently you DO have to apply every year, per the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. You can google a name if you must.

And then expect a form letter in return, saying no, with no explanation. Extra points when the letter contains completely wrong information, showing that either no one read your letter or nobody cares enough to send the correct letter or both. Extremely disheartening, to say the very least.

Anonymous wrote:Were the McK numbers ever released?

Chadwick is holding them close to the vest. Rumor has it that they are under by at least a class of incoming K.

Were the McK numbers ever released?

And back to the trailers they go! As a parent to a rising 5th and a rising 3rd, I hope they it my youngest's grade out there. The other had done more than his fair share

Thanks to all who clarified my transfer concerns. I spoke to 2 school admins (including the registrar) who told me i would have to re-apply each year but I suppose they both wanted to talk me out of trying because their school (Ashlawn) is also supposedly over-capacity, with trailers.

I know several McKinley parents who still rave about the school (principal, teachers, staff, facility) despite the construction mess they endured. They don't seem concerned about the large influx of students and lack of field (because the Madison manor playground a few blocks away can be used and the kids can play in the new gym).

But I feel as if my rising K student will be short-changed, especially if he ends up needing special ed or gifted services. And for extended day, I can't imagine where they would all fit to play outside. Since there is no proper field, I guess they could practice rolling down the hill!

If I am not mistaken, the school is predicting at least 6 incoming kindergarten classes?!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've spoken to a SB member and brought up that exact concern (having to reapply) and he said it was absolutely not the case.

Also, Discovery is projected less than 95%.

Either he doesn't know or he's not being honest. It is the case now. And they make sure to tell you that, too, to make it less attractive.

I would direct anyone who is telling you that you have to reapply every year to the APS website- that clearly states you don't. It's the first sentence-
https://www.apsva.us/school-options/elementary-school-choices/area-and-countywide-elementary/how-to-apply/

That's the countywide/option school policy.

For neighborhood transfers, currently you DO have to apply every year, per the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. You can google a name if you must.