Blah,blah,blah,blah,blah,blah. Just move to Loudoun County where the clock is set back to 1994.

The prior post here is absolutely right. Having low income kids in schools is an asset to the school itself and the kids. The unequal education starts to happen when a school rises above 50% FARMS, like barcroft, Randolph and carlin springs. Henry is in danger of losing its Title I status because I believe it is at about 40% FARMs. Oakridge is at about 30%. And guess what, that is a sweet spot ratio where everyone benefits from diversity and the lower income kids are getting the resources they need and doing well in school. What we have now, partly because of the market, and unfortunately by political design and policy, is separate and unequal educational system in large sections of the county. APS touts a world class education, and that should Apply to all the kids in the county, not just to those with wealthier parents.

Reading through this really long thread it seams like a lot of you get it. Do something about it. Join CARD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have several friends there who are very happy with it. Part of that, I think, is that it pulls from the Arlington Forest neighborhood which seems to be a very tight, friendly community.

Back in the early 2000s, Barrett was actually losing population and so they made it the science choice school for that part of the county but you never hear of that anymore because there was a huge baby boom in Arlington Forest and now they fill to capacity and beyond with in-bound kids.

So Barrett does not seem to be bothered in the least by their super high FARMS rate?

I mean, I've heard from various families that they are happy at many different APS schools, and I remember a family (years back) who spoke of the very dedicated teachers at Randolph, too, for example, and the "small family feel". But other families, especially those who have experienced both high and low FARMS schools, have said that it is not the same experience at all.

Or do some people feel that it's not such a big deal in elementary, while later on in middle and high school there is more differentiation going on?
....surely, most people would agree that there are kids who would do very well no matter the setting... But some PPs described "day and night" differences despite great teachers, and thus, the same should apply to Barrett, doesn't matter if your almost 60% FARMS school has a north or south in its address.
So what's the "truth", if you will: - "people making a big deal out of nothing", or "very valid concerns about highly unequal educational experiences"?

I think the difference is Barrett's "super high FARMS rate" is still almost 30 percentage points lower than Carlin Springs and Randolph, and 15 lower than Barcroft. So while still high, their numbers are more balanced than the other schools I referenced, for now. If you look at Patrick Henry, they have a high number of FARM eligible students and are Title 1, but also a Blue Ribbon School. So, it's possible to have many FARM students and still be "successful" overall. But, generally, it becomes more challenging as the numbers increase. There just aren't the resources, or the number of parents to volunteer their time, and donate money, once you have an overwhelming majority of students who are FARM eligible. And the parents who are trying to do more to make up the difference wind up getting burned out. I've seen it happen plenty. It's just a different reality. If you volunteer for something, you are going to get called every single time. There's no jockeying to see who can come in to cut paper for some art craft. You are it. And while I'm happy and able to do that right now, that may not always be the case. So for me, I don't like to complain too much because, all things considered, I think my kid will be fine. We can afford to give him any "extras" that he may not get at school. But I think about the other kids, his friends, who won't have that opportunity. And that makes me sad. And I think about the entire generation of students in this county who won't even interact with another child who isn't similarly privileged and that makes me sad, too. Some things just can't be taught, they have to be lived to be learned.

News on Barrett, their FARMs rate is about to skyrocket. The buildings in Buckinghsm undergoing renovation and expansion are about to open and be filled with kids. That will not only increase the FARMs rate at thst school, but turn it from its current under capacity to an over capacity school. One reason those kids do so well is they are UNDER capacity.

On Barcorft apartments. You want county permission to expand, you must agree to keep its terms. Obviously the owner of that complex is willing to do that. I don't think that complex could go market rate anyways bc the surrounding area is too poor. If food star turns into a successful high end development and the area across the steet follows? Then perhaps, but the county already locked barcroft apt in. And, how much you bet the same county that lacks money for schools and a street car would spend tens of millions above the market rate to purchase that complex to keep it affordable? How much was the county non profit allowed to spend to purchase the Presbyterian church on Monroe? Like 8million for a ACRE of land? That is way over market value and the county allowed it.

Anonymous wrote:I have several friends there who are very happy with it. Part of that, I think, is that it pulls from the Arlington Forest neighborhood which seems to be a very tight, friendly community.

Back in the early 2000s, Barrett was actually losing population and so they made it the science choice school for that part of the county but you never hear of that anymore because there was a huge baby boom in Arlington Forest and now they fill to capacity and beyond with in-bound kids.

So Barrett does not seem to be bothered in the least by their super high FARMS rate?

I mean, I've heard from various families that they are happy at many different APS schools, and I remember a family (years back) who spoke of the very dedicated teachers at Randolph, too, for example, and the "small family feel". But other families, especially those who have experienced both high and low FARMS schools, have said that it is not the same experience at all.

Or do some people feel that it's not such a big deal in elementary, while later on in middle and high school there is more differentiation going on?
....surely, most people would agree that there are kids who would do very well no matter the setting... But some PPs described "day and night" differences despite great teachers, and thus, the same should apply to Barrett, doesn't matter if your almost 60% FARMS school has a north or south in its address.
So what's the "truth", if you will: - "people making a big deal out of nothing", or "very valid concerns about highly unequal educational experiences"?

I have several friends there who are very happy with it. Part of that, I think, is that it pulls from the Arlington Forest neighborhood which seems to be a very tight, friendly community.

Back in the early 2000s, Barrett was actually losing population and so they made it the science choice school for that part of the county but you never hear of that anymore because there was a huge baby boom in Arlington Forest and now they fill to capacity and beyond with in-bound kids.

When Barrett was the opt-out if you didn't want year-round at Barcroft, many of my neighbors had kids there and said much the same thing. They were very happy.

Anonymous wrote:
I got very good reports from Barrett parents last year when I was asking for a friend looking at a house in their district. They said the teachers were extremely dedicated and very good at giving as much time to those who were doing well, those who were having trouble, and those in the middle.

sounds too good to be true

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoffman Boston is the de facto ASFSS. no need another one. no thanks.

You are missing the point.

what's the point? it has STEM focus and everyone can choice in. what else do you want?

Not everyone can choice in. Hoffman-Boston is only open to that neighborhood and to kids zoned to Drew. Other South Arlington neighborhoods don't have a STEM choice.

are you sure you can't transfer in? ask the school admin, don't rely on internet.

I'm going off of what the School Board says which schools you can attend/apply for a lottery based on where you live: http://www.apsva.us/page/3008

School transfers are very limited now due to so many schools being at or over capacity. I'm talking about a choice school that is widely open for South Arlington families that has a FARM rate under 40%.

There is none, you are right. Patrick Henry, Claremont, and Oakridge are the only schools under 40% in the south.

And Barrett and Key are the only ones with a FARMS rate HIGHER than 40% in the north.

Speaking of which, I don't hear much about Barrett (and I don't know any parents there). It is 56% FARMS! Higher than Abington, Drew, same as Hoffman Boston and roughly, Campbell. I wonder, if Barrett parents are having the same woes and challenges - (less PTA funding? smaller pool of engaged parents? Tons of focus on testing? ESOL/HILT predominance? "Doing OK " children falling through cracks? Etc.) and if they do, aren't they dismayed they are surrounded by 18% FARMS or less? I mean it is so uneven in our tiny county!

I got very good reports from Barrett parents last year when I was asking for a friend looking at a house in their district. They said the teachers were extremely dedicated and very good at giving as much time to those who were doing well, those who were having trouble, and those in the middle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How can they mandate a property owner keep a complex affordable? How is that legal? If the owner wants to renovate and make it market rate, how can the county stop that?

You must be new to Arlngton.

No I'm not. I just don't see how that is legal.

I thought the same thing. Are there incentives?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How can they mandate a property owner keep a complex affordable? How is that legal? If the owner wants to renovate and make it market rate, how can the county stop that?

You must be new to Arlngton.

No I'm not. I just don't see how that is legal.

Anonymous wrote:

How can they mandate a property owner keep a complex affordable? How is that legal? If the owner wants to renovate and make it market rate, how can the county stop that?

You must be new to Arlngton.

Anonymous wrote:Do people on this board have any idea of the level of development planned in south Arlington? Both affordable and market rate? It is all on county website. Thousands of new apartments. What I cannot understand is why this county allows all this development but does not plan for the infrastructure to support it.

Oh, and Barcroft apartment is from a practical perspective a CAF. In order for the owner to renovate and expand the units to hold more bedrooms a couple years ago they had to commit to keep it "affordable." So, the family will remain a slum lord indefinitely.

and what about the crime in west arlington? Prostitution is a regular thing around Arlington Mill and the strip mall across the street? And we wonder why no one wants to be a tenant in the community center. Robberies and assaults are a regular thing not only along the Pike, but into the single family neighborhoods as well.

No choice but to choice school route. Otherwise, people like me who can afford to leave will leave. The county does not care what happens to the single family homes say in Douglas park or barcroft. They will just make it "affordable". People like me spend money in south Arlington, north folks do not.. People like me making almost $200k a year and one kid living in a fabulous house help keep places in business and stay involved in the community and PTAs. If the county gave a crap, they would listen to people like me.

How can they mandate a property owner keep a complex affordable? How is that legal? If the owner wants to renovate and make it market rate, how can the county stop that?

Anonymous wrote:Do people on this board have any idea of the level of development planned in south Arlington? Both affordable and market rate? It is all on county website. Thousands of new apartments. What I cannot understand is why this county allows all this development but does not plan for the infrastructure to support it.

Oh, and Barcroft apartment is from a practical perspective a CAF. In order for the owner to renovate and expand the units to hold more bedrooms a couple years ago they had to commit to keep it "affordable." So, the family will remain a slum lord indefinitely.

and what about the crime in west arlington? Prostitution is a regular thing around Arlington Mill and the strip mall across the street? And we wonder why no one wants to be a tenant in the community center. Robberies and assaults are a regular thing not only along the Pike, but into the single family neighborhoods as well.

No choice but to choice school route. Otherwise, people like me who can afford to leave will leave. The county does not care what happens to the single family homes say in Douglas park or barcroft. They will just make it "affordable". People like me spend money in south Arlington, north folks do not.. People like me making almost $200k a year and one kid living in a fabulous house help keep places in business and stay involved in the community and PTAs. If the county gave a crap, they would listen to people like me.

You make an interesting point. One that I've seen over on the MD boards talkng about the east /west disparities in montgomery county. Namely, shouldn't they be trying to encourage the middle class residents to stick with the local schools to bring SES balance to the demographics? Wouldn't that Be the key to providing better outcomes for everyone? From what I can glean of the decision making in Montgomery County, they're scrambling so hard just to have enough facilities to accommodate everyone that they really don't care if you're happy with the system. In fact, it's not an altogether bad outcome if you move or go private - because omg there's no room! South Arlington's plight has some similarities. I think it's been an open secret for a long time that if you want great schooks, you move to N Arlington, and with overcrowding, the demographic makeup of the studnt population of any given school takes back burner to the issue of space. I agree with you that you are the exact kind of family they should be trying to keep in the south, but it's too nuanced to make it's way into the actual and final decision making. Feel your pain....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoffman Boston is the de facto ASFSS. no need another one. no thanks.

You are missing the point.

what's the point? it has STEM focus and everyone can choice in. what else do you want?

Not everyone can choice in. Hoffman-Boston is only open to that neighborhood and to kids zoned to Drew. Other South Arlington neighborhoods don't have a STEM choice.

are you sure you can't transfer in? ask the school admin, don't rely on internet.

Yes, I'm sure. Hoffman Boston is only for that neighborhood and the adjacent Drew neighborhood - it was never a choice school in that sense for anyone outside that rather small attendance zone. However, it was a failing school several years ago, and they turned around; I wonder if anyone here knows how they made that happen?

I think I can partially answer my own question: they somehow limited the class size to 15 -18 kids !