Arlington Science Focus School (home, transfer, private school tuition)

[Gib]

This may be a long shot, but I thought I'd try...

I am very interested in having my son, who is now 2, attend the Science Focus School in Arlington starting in Kindergarten or first grade. We currently live in N. Arlington, but not in the Key/Sci. Focus attendance zone, and not in the Jamestown/Taylor/Key/Sci Focus "team" area. In other words, I'm afraid our chances of enrolling him at Sci. Focus are poor unless we move, but that is just my guess.

Does anyone out there have any idea what the chances of enrollment are for 1. a kid outside of the team attendance zone?
2. in the sci. focus "team" zone, but not in the home attendance area?

Any parents out there who can recommend the school (or not)?
This school seems to be a great resource, and I'm really surprised that they don't give all Arlington kids an equal shot at enrollment.

Thanks so much!

[claremarie]

Call the school and ask your questions. It's probably a more accurate source of information than this forum.

If this is a popular program, then chances are that admission is by lottery and even living within the "right" attendance zone will not guarantee acceptance. You should also be aware that attendance zones and admission policies are always subject to change. Unless you really want to move for other reasons, you'd be spending a lot of money (that could be spent on private school tuition, science summer camps, enrichment programs, chemistry sets, etc!) on the transactions costs for a move that might not achieve your goal.

[Jankatcla]

There was an article in the local paper today that said that Arlington Science Focus (as well as 3 other elementary schools in Arlington) are expected to be at or near capacity this fall. My guess is that they won't be accepting outside transfers for the foreseeable future.
I know 2 people that sent their kids to Arlington Science Focus. Both had unhappy experiences--one pulled her child out midyear, the other let her 2 oldest finish there but refused to send her youngest. Obviously, their experiences might not reflect the general sentiment, but it would give me pause.

[Gib]

Thanks for the reply! I'm a member of a 650+ member mom's group in N. Arlington, and you'd think the group's listserv would be a treasure trove of opinions on local schools. But some people get so offended by the idea of "judging" schools that I have to go underground to gather information- as if engaging in an illicit activity. And of course, contacting the principal or scouring the APS website won't garner the opinions I really want.

So thanks again for the reply!

[planc]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Call the school and ask your questions. It's probably a more accurate source of information than this forum.

If this is a popular program, then chances are that admission is by lottery and even living within the "right" attendance zone will not guarantee acceptance. You should also be aware that attendance zones and admission policies are always subject to change. Unless you really want to move for other reasons, you'd be spending a lot of money (that could be spent on private school tuition, science summer camps, enrichment programs, chemistry sets, etc!) on the transactions costs for a move that might not achieve your goal.

claremarie - your wisdom is infinite...

[hisalma]

"I am looking for admission of my son in your worthy school. now i am in my native land and will be coming back to Virginia after a year. May i know what courses are you offering in lower grades that i may teach him something at home"