Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't WF have Nat'l Merit Scholars? Why don't their students represent AT ALL (forget proportionally) in national, state, even countywide academic awards? Why can't we look at the numbers and work to improve that school rather than denying or rationalizing? Why does S. Arl. put up with (or actively encourage) this?

NMSF correlates with the education level of the parents. If WF doesn't have NMSF, it's because educated parents are sending their kids elsewhere. WF could be doing an incredible job and it wouldn't matter...if educated parents send their kids elsewhere, WF won't have NMSF.

It might help if WF would provide an SAT tutoring program at the school, the type of thing more affluent families routinely pay for. As the recent NYT article pointed out, affluent families approach the SAT a lot differently than less affluent families who often don't know what they are missing.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html?_r=0

How expensive would it be to provide an SAT tutoring program?

I wonder if we could create an overarching PTA program that can help close the gaps for our schools. Our PTA raised a lot of money - exceeding budget needs - and IMO I'd love to see some of that wealth shared across the county.

For those who don't know, URM = Unreinforced Masonry

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't WF have Nat'l Merit Scholars? Why don't their students represent AT ALL (forget proportionally) in national, state, even countywide academic awards? Why can't we look at the numbers and work to improve that school rather than denying or rationalizing? Why does S. Arl. put up with (or actively encourage) this?

NMSF correlates with the education level of the parents. If WF doesn't have NMSF, it's because educated parents are sending their kids elsewhere. WF could be doing an incredible job and it wouldn't matter...if educated parents send their kids elsewhere, WF won't have NMSF.

It might help if WF would provide an SAT tutoring program at the school, the type of thing more affluent families routinely pay for. As the recent NYT article pointed out, affluent families approach the SAT a lot differently than less affluent families who often don't know what they are missing.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/opinion/how-i-learned-to-take-the-sat-like-a-rich-kid.html?_r=0

Anonymous wrote:So it's not meaningful statistically at all but I was impressed that the only APS kid accepted to Stanford in 2016 was at Wakefield. Generally had more admits/applications too from a quick glance.

(Arlington magazine)

Stanford kid was a URM/athlete

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't WF have Nat'l Merit Scholars? Why don't their students represent AT ALL (forget proportionally) in national, state, even countywide academic awards? Why can't we look at the numbers and work to improve that school rather than denying or rationalizing? Why does S. Arl. put up with (or actively encourage) this?

NMSF correlates with the education level of the parents. If WF doesn't have NMSF, it's because educated parents are sending their kids elsewhere. WF could be doing an incredible job and it wouldn't matter...if educated parents send their kids elsewhere, WF won't have NMSF.

Why doesn't WF have Nat'l Merit Scholars? Why don't their students represent AT ALL (forget proportionally) in national, state, even countywide academic awards? Why can't we look at the numbers and work to improve that school rather than denying or rationalizing? Why does S. Arl. put up with (or actively encourage) this?

Anonymous wrote:Gah. You are right. We are in Cherrydale. 5 miles to Gunston. 6 miles to Wakefield. I did a quick map directions earlier and the fastest route to Wakefield was GW to 395 (8.5 miles). Not sure how you're getting 3.6 miles between WF and WL though - is that as the crow flies?

Yes, coz even the crows know to avoid GW Parkway and 395

https://maps.google.com/maps?safe=active&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&entry=s&sa=X&saddr=Washington+Lee+High+School,+1301+N+Stafford+St,+Arlington,+VA+22201&geocode=KTO_vMwutLeJMT8O3NGJbXBo;KZfcqML7s7eJMS0afFvZ8_a3&daddr=Wakefield+High+School,+1325+S+Dinwiddie+St,+Arlington,+VA+22206&dirflg=d

Head south on N Stafford St toward 13th St N
0.2 mi
Turn left onto Washington Blvd
417 ft
Slight right toward N Quincy St
381 ft
Turn right onto N Quincy St
0.7 mi
Continue onto N Henderson Rd
0.2 mi
Turn left onto N George Mason Dr
2.4 mi
Turn left onto S Dinwiddie St
394 ft
Wakefield High School, 1325 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22206

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a total fantasy that WL is growing to a Behemoth, and Yorktown is slated to be a crowded mess as well. But carry on. You guys seem to have a great handle on things.

Those are real issues. As is emotion around real estate values. BUT you have this obsession about this North-South animosity that is just not there for most people. It's in your head. Most people want the whole county, even this whole area, to be successful. My real estate values - and my emotional investment in my neighborhood - has nothing to do with "kids on the other side have to be failures". It's not a zero sum game. Let's all help each other all be successful.

An all too rare positive, inclusive comment like this should be celebrated. Thank you!

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Anonymous wrote:People are in denial about the obvious fact that every available option in APS is highly unsatisfactory to many people. Their kids are not going to get the education they expected, where they expected it.

But but but... north Arlington! But I spent so much money! How is it my kids will have to be in a crowded school? With poor kids?!?

Enjoy south Arlington.

South Arlington is feeling pretty smug right about now.

About what?

.

I would imagine everything.

Except where they live

Hmm... nicest, newest high school. Biggest campus. No surprises heading our way. Neighbors that aren't looking to screw you over... it's just a better situation.

Actually, it's pretty nice down here and getting better all the time! Housing prices going up and lots to do.

Glad you're happy with Wakefield. Not many others would be.

We're actually pretty happy with Wakefield too. Kids like the facilities, teachers & their friends. Why do I care what some other kid scores on his state test, if my kids are doing just fine?

Statistically, the odds aren't great that your kid will actually do "just fine" there, but don't let that stop from trying to convince us your kid is an outlier.

Again with the statistics. I don't have to convince you of anything. My kids are pretty good - not great - students, and happy at school. And this whole peer group argument is ridiculous: exactly how many "high achievers" does your kid need to be surrounded by to succeed in life? And if peers are that much of an influence on your child, they're going to have a hard time turning down all the drugs being passed around.

So it's not meaningful statistically at all but I was impressed that the only APS kid accepted to Stanford in 2016 was at Wakefield. Generally had more admits/applications too from a quick glance.

(Arlington magazine)

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Anonymous wrote:People aren't going to grow up. When people pay a premium to send their children to certain school, they are also paying premium to avoid another school.
200k is a lot of money to most people. The investment they've made in their homes is no small thing. The idea they could have paid less, for the same result always turns these discussions ugly.
It's not enough to live on the right side of town, kids on the other side have to be failures. They paid too much for that not be true.

+1 Absolutely desperate to make sure everyone at Wakefield is a failure, otherwise what is the excuse for not going there?

I don't have an issue with Wakefield as a school, W-L is 1/2 mile from my house so I'd rather my kids walk there instead of riding a bus for hours each day.

are they going to TJ?

Our neighbor's kid went to Gunston MS for immersion and the amount of time he spent on the bus was ridiculous. Wakefield is almost 2x further. No thanks.

um, do you even know where Gunston or Wakefield is? the only place for WF to be 2x further than GMS would be Crystal/Pentagon City... but last I checked that is not 1/2 mile from WL.

but no, please stay where you are and don't come close to either Gunston or Wakefield.

Key word = almost; 5 miles vs 8.5 miles

Many people in Arlington, my family included, prioritize short commutes & walkability. I'd strongly prefer to have my kid walk or bike to school instead of sitting on a long bus ride (even to Gunston). Not sure why that's such a tough concept for you to grasp. Or why you're so combative.

oh sure i understand your preference, but where is this neighborhood that is 1/2-mi from WL, but 5-mi from Gunston and 8.5-mi from Wakefield? Because Google tells me WL is close to WF (3.6-mi) than GMS (4.4-mi). Can you help me out?

Gah. You are right. We are in Cherrydale. 5 miles to Gunston. 6 miles to Wakefield. I did a quick map directions earlier and the fastest route to Wakefield was GW to 395 (8.5 miles). Not sure how you're getting 3.6 miles between WF and WL though - is that as the crow flies?

We were able to walk for ES (lotteried to closer school), now taking bus for MS. Would really love to walk/bike to HS since it's so close.

Anyway, my whole point is that I have no issues with Wakefield other than the distance. Which is why I wouldn't have wanted my kids to do immersion for MS - too far based upon my neighbor's experience. We also chose not to look at ATS or Drew for ES - too far.

Didn't Wakefield have better college matriculation results than Yorktown one year? Maybe that was just one college...I'll need to dig that up.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:People aren't going to grow up. When people pay a premium to send their children to certain school, they are also paying premium to avoid another school.
200k is a lot of money to most people. The investment they've made in their homes is no small thing. The idea they could have paid less, for the same result always turns these discussions ugly.
It's not enough to live on the right side of town, kids on the other side have to be failures. They paid too much for that not be true.

+1 Absolutely desperate to make sure everyone at Wakefield is a failure, otherwise what is the excuse for not going there?

I don't have an issue with Wakefield as a school, W-L is 1/2 mile from my house so I'd rather my kids walk there instead of riding a bus for hours each day.

are they going to TJ?

Our neighbor's kid went to Gunston MS for immersion and the amount of time he spent on the bus was ridiculous. Wakefield is almost 2x further. No thanks.

um, do you even know where Gunston or Wakefield is? the only place for WF to be 2x further than GMS would be Crystal/Pentagon City... but last I checked that is not 1/2 mile from WL.

but no, please stay where you are and don't come close to either Gunston or Wakefield.

Key word = almost; 5 miles vs 8.5 miles

Many people in Arlington, my family included, prioritize short commutes & walkability. I'd strongly prefer to have my kid walk or bike to school instead of sitting on a long bus ride (even to Gunston). Not sure why that's such a tough concept for you to grasp. Or why you're so combative.

oh sure i understand your preference, but where is this neighborhood that is 1/2-mi from WL, but 5-mi from Gunston and 8.5-mi from Wakefield? Because Google tells me WL is close to WF (3.6-mi) than GMS (4.4-mi). Can you help me out?

Anonymous wrote:
Many people in Arlington, my family included, prioritize short commutes & walkability. I'd strongly prefer to have my kid walk or bike to school instead of sitting on a long bus ride (even to Gunston). Not sure why that's such a tough concept for you to grasp. Or why you're so combative.

If you're half a mile from W-L, can't your kid walk or bike to at least one school at one point in 13 years?

I understand wanting your kid to walk (it's not the be-all and end-all to me, but I get it). But I don't think getting to walk in every grade is a reasonable aspiration. Are you saying it is?

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People aren't going to grow up. When people pay a premium to send their children to certain school, they are also paying premium to avoid another school.
200k is a lot of money to most people. The investment they've made in their homes is no small thing. The idea they could have paid less, for the same result always turns these discussions ugly.
It's not enough to live on the right side of town, kids on the other side have to be failures. They paid too much for that not be true.

+1 Absolutely desperate to make sure everyone at Wakefield is a failure, otherwise what is the excuse for not going there?

I don't have an issue with Wakefield as a school, W-L is 1/2 mile from my house so I'd rather my kids walk there instead of riding a bus for hours each day.

are they going to TJ?

Our neighbor's kid went to Gunston MS for immersion and the amount of time he spent on the bus was ridiculous. Wakefield is almost 2x further. No thanks.

um, do you even know where Gunston or Wakefield is? the only place for WF to be 2x further than GMS would be Crystal/Pentagon City... but last I checked that is not 1/2 mile from WL.

but no, please stay where you are and don't come close to either Gunston or Wakefield.

Key word = almost; 5 miles vs 8.5 miles

Many people in Arlington, my family included, prioritize short commutes & walkability. I'd strongly prefer to have my kid walk or bike to school instead of sitting on a long bus ride (even to Gunston). Not sure why that's such a tough concept for you to grasp. Or why you're so combative.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People aren't going to grow up. When people pay a premium to send their children to certain school, they are also paying premium to avoid another school.
200k is a lot of money to most people. The investment they've made in their homes is no small thing. The idea they could have paid less, for the same result always turns these discussions ugly.
It's not enough to live on the right side of town, kids on the other side have to be failures. They paid too much for that not be true.

+1 Absolutely desperate to make sure everyone at Wakefield is a failure, otherwise what is the excuse for not going there?

I don't have an issue with Wakefield as a school, W-L is 1/2 mile from my house so I'd rather my kids walk there instead of riding a bus for hours each day.

are they going to TJ?

Our neighbor's kid went to Gunston MS for immersion and the amount of time he spent on the bus was ridiculous. Wakefield is almost 2x further. No thanks.

um, do you even know where Gunston or Wakefield is? the only place for WF to be 2x further than GMS would be Crystal/Pentagon City... but last I checked that is not 1/2 mile from WL.

but no, please stay where you are and don't come close to either Gunston or Wakefield.