If it works, then Barcroft's scores should be appreciably better for ESL than similar elementaries. Not the case.

The Barcroft calendar was put in place to help the low income families in the area. They go back to their home companies sometimes several times a year. The year round schedule means their kids miss less school.

Agreed. Barcroft went on downward trajectory with the new (now outgoing) principal. She was in way over her head (first time principal) and scores fell, experienced teachers left, morale dropped and there was much less emphasis on selling the school to neighborhood parents. Shame because before that (4-6 years ago) there was actually an increase for several years of families sending their kids there. New administration could improve things there, and I have heard they will be taking a hard look at dropping the calendar.

Anonymous wrote:The key transfer rate is for a completely different reason. People buy into Abington's zone so they get guaranteed admission to Claremont. Campbell is considered almost a neighborhood school for the neighborhood and is hardly even a choice school.

I live in alcova and used to live in barcroft. The issue isn't the year round school. The issue is the quality of education at barcroft. Before the good principle left, the school had a chance, but not now.

The the popularity of Henry isn't just the parents' support. It is the gentrification of the neighborhoods and resulting lower number of farms kids. The school is about to, if it has not already, lost its title I standing. THAT, is why the school has turned around. barcroft is going in the opposite direction.

The thing about the calendar is that most middle class families don't want it. In other districts where year-round schools are "choices," higher SES families apply and get used to the alternate calendar because the school is special/lottery/well-regarded/has high test scores. But maintaining a calendar that's less desirable, in a school that has a bad rep, deserved or not, is just stupid. If it weren't for the calendar, I think the school would have a shot at turning around. Is it ever going to have the demographics of Henry? No, probably not because of where housing has been built. But it might become more balanced, more like 50-50, where it was when we moved here, if APS can get a great principal in there who makes it their job to get neighborhood support. Right now Barcroft, demographically, has many higher SES families w/school-aged kids. Their money and time is going to other schools. If more of it were redirected towards Barcroft, it would be better for all the students who attend. But expecting parents to do this, when it also means sacrificing the convenience of having all their kids on the same school calendar, well, it's not going to happen.

The key transfer rate is for a completely different reason. People buy into Abington's zone so they get guaranteed admission to Claremont. Campbell is considered almost a neighborhood school for the neighborhood and is hardly even a choice school.

I live in alcova and used to live in barcroft. The issue isn't the year round school. The issue is the quality of education at barcroft. Before the good principle left, the school had a chance, but not now.

The the popularity of Henry isn't just the parents' support. It is the gentrification of the neighborhoods and resulting lower number of farms kids. The school is about to, if it has not already, lost its title I standing. THAT, is why the school has turned around. barcroft is going in the opposite direction.

Anonymous wrote:Parents in the barcroft and alcova heights sfh neighborhoods have largely opted out of barcroft. Aps transfer numbers are very high for those areas. Things were moving up several years ago, but a new principle and unexpected number of kids from new Arlington mill caf really hurt barcroft. Many many parents in homes do everything they can to go to an option school. Or they just move before kids start school. New principle may help, if the person is good. But the new caf to be built at the Presbyterian church will add many more poor kids to that school. So, it will soon have as many farms kids as Randolph.

hmm-- Barcroft had 297 kids transfer out- there total enrollment is 416. Its hard to say if those parents were avoiding barcroft b/c of scores- or didn't like the schedule (Barcroft is a year round school.)
It appears to be 4th for number of students transferring out-
1. Key- 569 tranfers- almost all to ASFS
2. Abingdon- 413 transfers, 242 were to Claremont.
3. Carlin Spring- 352 transfers, 178 to Campbell
4. Barcroft- 297 transfers- 78 to Campbell.

Anonymous wrote:Parents in the barcroft and alcova heights sfh neighborhoods have largely opted out of barcroft. Aps transfer numbers are very high for those areas. Things were moving up several years ago, but a new principle and unexpected number of kids from new Arlington mill caf really hurt barcroft. Many many parents in homes do everything they can to go to an option school. Or they just move before kids start school. New principle may help, if the person is good. But the new caf to be built at the Presbyterian church will add many more poor kids to that school. So, it will soon have as many farms kids as Randolph.

Barcroft should have been enjoying the same level of community support that Henry enjoys. Shame what the county did. Don't think they've learned anything from it.

Anonymous wrote:With boundary changes coming, you have to be incredibly stupid to buy anywhere but 22207. You can try to "save a buck" and buy a modest home in say the McKinley or the Patrick Henry zones, but you could EASILY be rezoned to something awful.

Better to buy right by Discovery, Nottingham, Jamestown or (north of) Taylor. Then you're set.

Except for overcrowding that the county is failing to manage. Yep sure "you'll have it made."

Parents in the barcroft and alcova heights sfh neighborhoods have largely opted out of barcroft. Aps transfer numbers are very high for those areas. Things were moving up several years ago, but a new principle and unexpected number of kids from new Arlington mill caf really hurt barcroft. Many many parents in homes do everything they can to go to an option school. Or they just move before kids start school. New principle may help, if the person is good. But the new caf to be built at the Presbyterian church will add many more poor kids to that school. So, it will soon have as many farms kids as Randolph.

I think the upward trend for Randolph is a plus. As is the possibility of it becoming a choice school for IB. If that happens, I believe students who attend Randolph for IB are automatically placed at the IB middle and high school, which could also be a plus.

However, my understanding is that the choice IB thing is just an idea now, who knows if it'll really happen. If it does, it will be 5 or more years off. So a rising kindergartener may or may not reap the benefits of a choice school.

Making a bet on Randolph vs Barcroft is tough - although signs point to Randolph progressing faster than Barcroft at this time. There's been talk on other threads about the potential for each neighborhood/school zone "gentrifying" more and people seem to think Randolph will fare better there. Barcroft's new principal could help the school, but not sure how much it will help if the school zone's demographics continue to trend away from middle class, single family homes.

I don't know much about this stuff, but if others do, please chime in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, great schools just updated their scores.

They are both a 3 now. Which is an improvement for Randolph. They were a 2. I think Barcroft slid a little. Not really much difference really.

APS needs to get a handle on it.
Carlin Springs has managed to pull it up ( to a 6), so demographics shouldn't really be an excuse here.

Have you seen the Post article about Carlin Springs? Teachers felt as if they had sacrificed true education at the expense of test preparation. Also Carlin Springs students are primarily Spanish-speaking while children at Randolph speak dozens of languages which represents more challenges (as well as opportunities). Can't speak to Barcroft but they are getting a new principal.

The article from a few years ago? Yeah, but it's what those kids need. Don't get me wrong, there should be additional staff and compensation for the demands of that sort of schedule.
We are talking about ( in some cases) very poor and very behind kids. If they are in school, they are being fed and their parents aren't having to figure out child care.
Take a look at the candidates for county board. They ALL want more affordable housing. Well, this has to come with it. We have to demand it. Otherwise we are full of crap.
It can't be acceptable for these kids to just lag behind. I have a friend who teaches ESOL at high school level in Arlington. There are kids who start in elementary school and still never catch up. That can't be acceptable.
These schools need more native English speakers in attendance, but that will never happen without some better scores.

I should add - this was in reference to Carlin Springs having school on Saturdays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, great schools just updated their scores.

They are both a 3 now. Which is an improvement for Randolph. They were a 2. I think Barcroft slid a little. Not really much difference really.

APS needs to get a handle on it.
Carlin Springs has managed to pull it up ( to a 6), so demographics shouldn't really be an excuse here.

Have you seen the Post article about Carlin Springs? Teachers felt as if they had sacrificed true education at the expense of test preparation. Also Carlin Springs students are primarily Spanish-speaking while children at Randolph speak dozens of languages which represents more challenges (as well as opportunities). Can't speak to Barcroft but they are getting a new principal.

The article from a few years ago? Yeah, but it's what those kids need. Don't get me wrong, there should be additional staff and compensation for the demands of that sort of schedule.
We are talking about ( in some cases) very poor and very behind kids. If they are in school, they are being fed and their parents aren't having to figure out child care.
Take a look at the candidates for county board. They ALL want more affordable housing. Well, this has to come with it. We have to demand it. Otherwise we are full of crap.
It can't be acceptable for these kids to just lag behind. I have a friend who teaches ESOL at high school level in Arlington. There are kids who start in elementary school and still never catch up. That can't be acceptable.
These schools need more native English speakers in attendance, but that will never happen without some better scores.

Anonymous wrote:So, great schools just updated their scores.

They are both a 3 now. Which is an improvement for Randolph. They were a 2. I think Barcroft slid a little. Not really much difference really.

APS needs to get a handle on it.
Carlin Springs has managed to pull it up ( to a 6), so demographics shouldn't really be an excuse here.

Have you seen the Post article about Carlin Springs? Teachers felt as if they had sacrificed true education at the expense of test preparation. Also Carlin Springs students are primarily Spanish-speaking while children at Randolph speak dozens of languages which represents more challenges (as well as opportunities). Can't speak to Barcroft but they are getting a new principal.

So, great schools just updated their scores.

They are both a 3 now. Which is an improvement for Randolph. They were a 2. I think Barcroft slid a little. Not really much difference really.

APS needs to get a handle on it.
Carlin Springs has managed to pull it up ( to a 6), so demographics shouldn't really be an excuse here.

Anonymous wrote:Hmm. Wouldn't they have to make an announcement soon?

I think it will happen fall 2019.
Same time Randolph becomes choice IB.