Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Times, March 17, 2022
Your Views: Times columnists need viewpoint diversity
https://alextimes.com/2022/03/your-views-times-columnists-need-viewpoint-diversity/


"....I was disheartened to learn that no economically disadvantaged student – or perhaps one, concealed by rounding – at my neighborhood elementary school, Naomi L. Brooks, earned a passing grade in science last year. According to the Virginia Department of Education, the share of economically disadvantaged students at Naomi Brooks who passed science declined from 47% in 2018-2019 to 0% in 2020-2021; mathematics dropped from 39% to 3%.

At Alexandria City High School, these figures decline from 56% to 26% and 58% to 28%, respectively. With no irony, the ACPS website header features “Equity for All” in large type. We have a duty to foster educational excellence and to hold public officials accountable for the same.

Alexandria’s education leaders use this platform to pay lip service to unspecified equity goals rather than leading with concrete actions addressing the gravest scandal in our city: the staggering achievement gap among our most vulnerable children...."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-I recommend connecting with people on some of the ACPS Facebook groups or in person. Discussions on ACPS and Alexandria in general on this board get nutty in a way I’ve never experienced in real life and I’ve lived here for 17 years and have 2 kids in ACPS. It’s not all rosy, but I think the anonymity of this board lets people say things in a way they would never dream of saying it in person (not limited to ACPS-on almost any topic). It’s also impossible to tell if the extreme views (pro and con) are multiple people or 1 or 2 really vocal people. Or people who actually have any experience with the schools.

The ACPS Facebook groups I've encountered are censored and do not actually allow for parents to talk and help solve the problem. ACPS also doesn't respond to it's own Facebook. What group is this poster recommending?

Anonymous wrote:OP-I recommend connecting with people on some of the ACPS Facebook groups or in person. Discussions on ACPS and Alexandria in general on this board get nutty in a way I’ve never experienced in real life and I’ve lived here for 17 years and have 2 kids in ACPS. It’s not all rosy, but I think the anonymity of this board lets people say things in a way they would never dream of saying it in person (not limited to ACPS-on almost any topic). It’s also impossible to tell if the extreme views (pro and con) are multiple people or 1 or 2 really vocal people. Or people who actually have any experience with the schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Times, March 17, 2022
Your Views: Times columnists need viewpoint diversity
https://alextimes.com/2022/03/your-views-times-columnists-need-viewpoint-diversity/


"....I was disheartened to learn that no economically disadvantaged student – or perhaps one, concealed by rounding – at my neighborhood elementary school, Naomi L. Brooks, earned a passing grade in science last year. According to the Virginia Department of Education, the share of economically disadvantaged students at Naomi Brooks who passed science declined from 47% in 2018-2019 to 0% in 2020-2021; mathematics dropped from 39% to 3%.

At Alexandria City High School, these figures decline from 56% to 26% and 58% to 28%, respectively. With no irony, the ACPS website header features “Equity for All” in large type. We have a duty to foster educational excellence and to hold public officials accountable for the same.

Alexandria’s education leaders use this platform to pay lip service to unspecified equity goals rather than leading with concrete actions addressing the gravest scandal in our city: the staggering achievement gap among our most vulnerable children...."

How is a strategic plan of "Equity for All" going to fix and address this? And to think the Board renewed the Superintendent's contract no questions asked. I really would be curious to hear the Superintendent and Board Members make a list of ACPS' successes using data and measurable metrics.

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria Times, March 17, 2022
Your Views: Times columnists need viewpoint diversity
https://alextimes.com/2022/03/your-views-times-columnists-need-viewpoint-diversity/


"....I was disheartened to learn that no economically disadvantaged student – or perhaps one, concealed by rounding – at my neighborhood elementary school, Naomi L. Brooks, earned a passing grade in science last year. According to the Virginia Department of Education, the share of economically disadvantaged students at Naomi Brooks who passed science declined from 47% in 2018-2019 to 0% in 2020-2021; mathematics dropped from 39% to 3%.

At Alexandria City High School, these figures decline from 56% to 26% and 58% to 28%, respectively. With no irony, the ACPS website header features “Equity for All” in large type. We have a duty to foster educational excellence and to hold public officials accountable for the same.

Alexandria’s education leaders use this platform to pay lip service to unspecified equity goals rather than leading with concrete actions addressing the gravest scandal in our city: the staggering achievement gap among our most vulnerable children...."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.

I think this is a fair capture.

Our oldest in is GWMS, another is in Barrett. We think Barrett is great. We were happier when the previous principal was there, but it's still very good. GWMS has been fine. There's the typical MS drama and stupidity, but our kid steers clear of it and has done well academically while expanding her social circles. It's hard to ask more of a MS experience. Some teachers are exceptional, others are mediocre - such is life. The diversity of the student population - in multiple dimensions - is a plus for us and helps prepare the kids for an increasingly multicultural future.

Ultimately, we love being in Alexandria. We think the schools deliver on our expectations and if one of our kids starts to flounder or needs a different experience, there are ample private school options.

FWIW, all of the problems people have listed sadly exist at other school districts, too. Drugs, violence, etc... it's not exclusive to ACPS. That's where parenting comes in.

I'm glad your kid is doing well, but you could definitely ask for more. Positives are that the admin really cares, and some of the teachers are very good. But the building is painfully--painfully--crowded and utterly falling apart, and the curriculum is washed out.

Agreed on the building. Can you share more about the curriculum?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.

I think this is a fair capture.

Our oldest in is GWMS, another is in Barrett. We think Barrett is great. We were happier when the previous principal was there, but it's still very good. GWMS has been fine. There's the typical MS drama and stupidity, but our kid steers clear of it and has done well academically while expanding her social circles. It's hard to ask more of a MS experience. Some teachers are exceptional, others are mediocre - such is life. The diversity of the student population - in multiple dimensions - is a plus for us and helps prepare the kids for an increasingly multicultural future.

Ultimately, we love being in Alexandria. We think the schools deliver on our expectations and if one of our kids starts to flounder or needs a different experience, there are ample private school options.

FWIW, all of the problems people have listed sadly exist at other school districts, too. Drugs, violence, etc... it's not exclusive to ACPS. That's where parenting comes in.

I'm glad your kid is doing well, but you could definitely ask for more. Positives are that the admin really cares, and some of the teachers are very good. But the building is painfully--painfully--crowded and utterly falling apart, and the curriculum is washed out.

I'm happy your kid is doing well too & that you acknowledge that ACPS is not a strong school system. But in defending it anyway, please remember that your child's experience is not the norm. For example, assessments for economically disadvantaged kids at Barrett was at 33% proficiency in reading and 13% in math last year. Not the worse in the west end by any means (that honor belongs to Brooks - 16% reading/3% math - with George Mason a close second - 18% reading/3%math).

And I don't think that the GWMS videos in the news this fall of kids violently attacking and beating their peers is "typical MS drama and stupidity." Maybe your kid hasn't been involved or hasn't gotten trapped in the bathroom or hallway when it occurs (and I'm happy for that) but other kids are getting traumatized by seeing the violence or being threatened by it.

Defending this system and dismissing the deep systemic problems in the system allows ACPS to continue to fail the most vulnerable students year after year.

Anonymous wrote:We love our neighborhood elementary school. The teachers and all staff are amazing, and supportive, and kind, and funny and smart. I really can't say enough good things. If you enter ACPS, and have no reason to pay attention to system wide issues, like school closures, or calendar changes, or facility issues, rebuilding schools and swing space, you'll probably really like it. ACPS did a pretty poor job during Covid, but it wasn't the first time they failed from the top. The schools themselves are pretty great, but it's absolutely brutal at the leadership and administration level, and that occasionally will drive you mad. But, you might be lucky enough not to know about it for awhile.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.

I think this is a fair capture.

Our oldest in is GWMS, another is in Barrett. We think Barrett is great. We were happier when the previous principal was there, but it's still very good. GWMS has been fine. There's the typical MS drama and stupidity, but our kid steers clear of it and has done well academically while expanding her social circles. It's hard to ask more of a MS experience. Some teachers are exceptional, others are mediocre - such is life. The diversity of the student population - in multiple dimensions - is a plus for us and helps prepare the kids for an increasingly multicultural future.

Ultimately, we love being in Alexandria. We think the schools deliver on our expectations and if one of our kids starts to flounder or needs a different experience, there are ample private school options.

FWIW, all of the problems people have listed sadly exist at other school districts, too. Drugs, violence, etc... it's not exclusive to ACPS. That's where parenting comes in.

I'm glad your kid is doing well, but you could definitely ask for more. Positives are that the admin really cares, and some of the teachers are very good. But the building is painfully--painfully--crowded and utterly falling apart, and the curriculum is washed out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.

I think this is a fair capture.

Our oldest in is GWMS, another is in Barrett. We think Barrett is great. We were happier when the previous principal was there, but it's still very good. GWMS has been fine. There's the typical MS drama and stupidity, but our kid steers clear of it and has done well academically while expanding her social circles. It's hard to ask more of a MS experience. Some teachers are exceptional, others are mediocre - such is life. The diversity of the student population - in multiple dimensions - is a plus for us and helps prepare the kids for an increasingly multicultural future.

Ultimately, we love being in Alexandria. We think the schools deliver on our expectations and if one of our kids starts to flounder or needs a different experience, there are ample private school options.

FWIW, all of the problems people have listed sadly exist at other school districts, too. Drugs, violence, etc... it's not exclusive to ACPS. That's where parenting comes in.

I'm glad your kid is doing well, but you could definitely ask for more. Positives are that the admin really cares, and some of the teachers are very good. But the building is painfully--painfully--crowded and utterly falling apart, and the curriculum is washed out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.

I think this is a fair capture.

Our oldest in is GWMS, another is in Barrett. We think Barrett is great. We were happier when the previous principal was there, but it's still very good. GWMS has been fine. There's the typical MS drama and stupidity, but our kid steers clear of it and has done well academically while expanding her social circles. It's hard to ask more of a MS experience. Some teachers are exceptional, others are mediocre - such is life. The diversity of the student population - in multiple dimensions - is a plus for us and helps prepare the kids for an increasingly multicultural future.

Ultimately, we love being in Alexandria. We think the schools deliver on our expectations and if one of our kids starts to flounder or needs a different experience, there are ample private school options.

FWIW, all of the problems people have listed sadly exist at other school districts, too. Drugs, violence, etc... it's not exclusive to ACPS. That's where parenting comes in.

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is in elementary and oldest now in MS but pvt. I would say that public elementary for us wasn’t bad. It wasn’t OMG amazing and I do not drink the KoolAid that most In my community to on public schools here. I would say that George Mason and Barrett are relatively strong. What makes the, really nice is the strong PTA and community. The families here are warm, educated and kids are well adjusted and just really good kids. A close knit community. Academically it’s not academically strong but I’m not that parent that wants my kid to go to Catholic school and know 8th grade vocabulary words in 5th grade. My expectations are for love of learning, engaging and caring teachers and a really healthy social experience. These boxes are checked.

Where things are wrong is more the public curriculum of all the SOL and MAP testing, the work is just really not that hard and the TAG program is not productive in who gets n. The idea of academic equity is ridiculous. Getting everyone to the same level should not be goal rather promoting excellence among all. So philosophically ACOS has a problem there.

But I have told you about the pros and cons we experienced. In terms of MS, I have friends whose kids do great there. You really have to be a well adjuster, very mature and responsible kid who is going to be in honors classes to make it there. If so, it will likely be fine. I would never put my kids there but if they were like perfect kids maybe I would reconsider but I would still be uneasy about it. That’s me. I have pretty high standards when it comes to conceptual learning ~ that is ~ I want more than just transactional pass a test learning. Esp after grade school, personally I think it’s too overwhelming socially with 599 kids per grade on each floor.

We are going to however try to get ours back in public for HS.

A lot depends on your kids. ACPS is not a strong public system in total, but Alex is a really great place to be. We would never want to live in Arl or Falls Church or Fairfax. We are city folk. But I would say that by MS you’d be hard pressed to keep kids in public. I did A lOT of research into the various public elementary school systems around NOVA and if you are strictly concerned about academics, run away from Alex public schools. But if it’s more than just that you seek, elementary I think is good enough.