Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Sorry if you don't get that "remote learning" and "night school" are things people say to get parents riled up to get elected officials to spend more money expanding school capacity, and not things that will actually happen in ultra-wealthy Arlington Virginia.

What expanded school capacity? We still don’t have 4th high school.

PP's point is they want to expand capacity by providing alternative options - not by building more physical space.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Sorry if you don't get that "remote learning" and "night school" are things people say to get parents riled up to get elected officials to spend more money expanding school capacity, and not things that will actually happen in ultra-wealthy Arlington Virginia.

Really? huh. Regardless of initial disastrous effort, seems to be a serious desire to establish our own virtual learning program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Sorry if you don't get that "remote learning" and "night school" are things people say to get parents riled up to get elected officials to spend more money expanding school capacity, and not things that will actually happen in ultra-wealthy Arlington Virginia.

What expanded school capacity? We still don’t have 4th high school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

Montessori in Arlington is not a low-income program. Arlington Montessori people like to use that as a shield and to prop itself up with great virtue. VPI is a low-income program. Montessori was developed to benefit disadvantaged children, yes; but let's stop pretending APS' Montessori program's focus and support is directed to low-income kids just because it has more low-income kids than our great white northern schools. Carlin Springs, Randolph, Barcroft, Drew are our "low income programs."

A majority of the slots in the pre-K montessori program are set aside for low-income students--if they can fill them--but the elementary program is just a lottery and, unlike the other lottery programs (ATS and H-B), has different planning factors that allow it more resources for an equivalent number of students in the elementary grades. Plus busing, its own building, etc. etc.

And a fair # of preK do not continue on to 1-5. Montessori preK's are scattered across the county.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

"Private" today also means "acdemic rigor" that is lacking more and more each year in public.

To that end, many parents seek ATS to escape their neighborhood schools that have high needs populations and many other parents seek ATS because it has high performance and reputation. What does ATS do that other schools don't? It sets higher expectations from its students and its parents and holds them all accountable. People have joked about ATS' stricter policies (ie, shirts must be tucked in); but the bottom line is that structure and high expectations work. ATS has also been faulted/accused of not tolerating higher needs kids and either holding them back or pushing them out by way of not wanting to remain. Nevertheless, ATS does now have a significant % FRL students and seems to be serving them well.

A better question would be what our other neighborhood schools are doing that is not as successful as ATS. Answer would include things such as abandoning things like phonics while ATS continued with instructional methods that have proven to be effective. And, yes, discipline has a positive impact on performance, too. Summer reading challenges/expectations at our south Arlington elementary school many years ago was 10 books; whereas ATS' was 50 (per classmates who transferred to ATS in late elementary years).

And, a lot of it is self-selection. Families more pro-active or demanding about their kids' school environment and seeking these things are going to apply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Sorry if you don't get that "remote learning" and "night school" are things people say to get parents riled up to get elected officials to spend more money expanding school capacity, and not things that will actually happen in ultra-wealthy Arlington Virginia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Thanks for sharing. I don’t know much about HB because my kids are young, so I was just responding to the ire directed at ATS. We never applied because (a) Jamestown is a great school and (b) ATS is too large for my very shy kids. That being said they must be doing something right. They are getting the same results as Jamestown but have a much larger student-teacher ratio and a higher population of socio-economically disadvantaged students

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

For me private school means that parents take the initiative to place the child and have capacity and competency to navigate that process, and a school that will not be overcrowded. Overcrowding is really what a causing all the ire at HB; they enjoy a capped school size in a brand new $$$ building (oh and I know they wanted to stay in their old building on its enormous acreage, same difference), while the rest of the county contemplates remote school and night classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

As of 2019 ATS had a higher FARMS rate than Montessori

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SNPMonthlyEligibilityReport.pdf

Well they are basically equivalent. Point well taken though. And as PP stated it’s in poor taste to attack
Montessori and therefore in poor taste to attack ATS.

Nonsense.
If you're basing rationale for bashing on FRM rates, then people should stop bashing our Title I schools and equivalent (40%+ middle and high schools).

You are responding to me. I’m not basing the rationale for bashing on farm rates. The PP who said it is in poor taste to attack a low income program is. PP is using that to explain why it’s not ok to bash the Montessori program but ok to bash ATS. However PP’s logic is flawed. Both schools have similar farms rates. So based on PPs flawed logic both schools should be treated the same.

I wonder what “private school experience” means to PP other than the fact that her kids weren’t able to get in. Private schools range from progressive (Sidwell, Potomac, Georgetown Day etc.) to traditional (e.g. catholic schools) and many many schools in between. Some are speciality schools such as Montessori schools, bilingual/immersion schools teaching a specific language. There is no one “private school experience.” There are three things that most private schools have in common though: (1) you have to apply to get in (2) most students pay tuition and (3) the school tends to have low student-teacher ratios and small class sizes. (2) and (3) don’t apply to ATS. ATS has large classroom sizes, a high student teacher ratio and very large grade level cohorts. This begs the question what is ATS doing right that enables it to achieve such high results with such large classroom sizes? It is motivated parents, a specific teaching methodology or both? ATS is an example of public education gone right. Low student teacher ratios are just not workable for public schools so we need to figure out how to teach effectively with larger classroom sizes. It is obviously still worth aiming for the lowest student ratio possible. For what it’s worth my kids go to Jamestown, which has a more “private school” vibe than ATS since it is much smaller.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

Montessori in Arlington is not a low-income program. Arlington Montessori people like to use that as a shield and to prop itself up with great virtue. VPI is a low-income program. Montessori was developed to benefit disadvantaged children, yes; but let's stop pretending APS' Montessori program's focus and support is directed to low-income kids just because it has more low-income kids than our great white northern schools. Carlin Springs, Randolph, Barcroft, Drew are our "low income programs."

A majority of the slots in the pre-K montessori program are set aside for low-income students--if they can fill them--but the elementary program is just a lottery and, unlike the other lottery programs (ATS and H-B), has different planning factors that allow it more resources for an equivalent number of students in the elementary grades. Plus busing, its own building, etc. etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

As of 2019 ATS had a higher FARMS rate than Montessori

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SNPMonthlyEligibilityReport.pdf

Well they are basically equivalent. Point well taken though. And as PP stated it’s in poor taste to attack
Montessori and therefore in poor taste to attack ATS.

Nonsense.
If you're basing rationale for bashing on FRM rates, then people should stop bashing our Title I schools and equivalent (40%+ middle and high schools).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

Montessori in Arlington is not a low-income program. Arlington Montessori people like to use that as a shield and to prop itself up with great virtue. VPI is a low-income program. Montessori was developed to benefit disadvantaged children, yes; but let's stop pretending APS' Montessori program's focus and support is directed to low-income kids just because it has more low-income kids than our great white northern schools. Carlin Springs, Randolph, Barcroft, Drew are our "low income programs."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

Again you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. How is ATS like a private school? It has very large class sizes and there are 4 or 5 classes per grade.

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Anonymous wrote:Two of my kids graduated from HB over 15 years ago. This same drivel was written then as it is now. No reason to be so damned jealous. Our kids at Yorktown got just as good an education.

BS. 15 years ago the other high schools were not overcrowded anything like now nor as constrained by resources as the school board no longer cares about academics excellence as a goal for the system.

My HB kid graduated in the last 5 years and didn't get great skills in math and a couple of the hard sciences. My other kids went to WL, IB and got a better education, imo. I blame the HB education on the fact that you have fewer teachers.

This is interesting. If you make anything a scarce resource, though (like ATS and HB Woodlaw are) people will covet it just because it’s scarce. So adding more seats to schools that are just like ATS and Woodlawn would not only add seats but would make these schools less rare. Then the people who really want what they are offering will apply rather than people going just because they are a limited resource.

I love this post. 1000% true (H-B math represented there.)

Any program that is different requires additional teacher training, bus schedules and other extras. Ask Barcroft - they recently ended a beloved special program due to $$ pressures. H-B and ATS also very much cause unnecessary dedicated resources to space. Schools were much less overcrowded 15 years ago. This specialty school thing needs to go away.

Seriously, why is Montessori not lumped into these discussions? They get aides in the classrooms through 5th grade, which other elementaries don’t. You lye the busing, dedicated building, etc.

It’s not because clearly the reason we are having this discussion is not because people are concerned about resources but simply because they hate ATS and HB Woodlawn. If it were about resources then Montessori would be lumped into the discussion as well.

It’s mostly because people are less familiar with Montessori (I thought it was actually only a low income program like VPI — doesn’t it accept most students from preschool and 80% are VPI eligible?). ATS and HB are much larger and don’t have the majority as low income program.

Attacking a low income program would be in poor taste, hence Montessori is spared. ATS and HBW are majority UMC families getting private school on public dime, so get have no so concern.

As of 2019 ATS had a higher FARMS rate than Montessori

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/SNPMonthlyEligibilityReport.pdf

Well they are basically equivalent. Point well taken though. And as PP stated it’s in poor taste to attack
Montessori and therefore in poor taste to attack ATS.