Alexandria City Schools (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Arlington: 2010, school district, budget)

[DoveDiva]

Hi all.

Thanks to the economy, there's a strong possiblity that my family may have to relocate to the DC area, as my husband works in IT. I am currently an experienced special education teacher in Metro Atlanta, and I'm interested in Alexandria City Schools. I'm already fully certified in VA in learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disorders, so certification isn't an issue. I'm interested in middle school.

What's the good/bad/and ugly on this district? Do their teachers enjoy working there? Do they promote from within? Do they frequently use technology in their classrooms and in the district, or is it still a novelty? How well are their middle schools performing? How are their benefits? Do the parents believe in the school district, or are they frequently dissatisfied?

I took a look at their 2010 budget and while it looks like they are doing some cuts, they'll still need special education teachers, so I'm somewhat confident that some semblance of hiring will occur.

I don't want to work in a district with a large percentage of high achieving students--they already have great teachers. I'd love to continue being a great teacher to the middle of the road kids.

Thanks in advance!

[Skapov]

There are only 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school that make up the entire "District", and Alexandria is not a premier place to send ones offspring for an education.

[mpascal]

Actually there are 13 elementary schools.

[DoveDiva]

Originally Posted by mpascal

Actually there are 13 elementary schools.

Yeah, and two middle schools.

[Flamingo13]

And I don't think Alexandria schools are that bad.

[Alanboy395]

I attended Alexandria public schools from 04-06.

Alexandria schools are pretty average in comparison with Virginia systems. The problem is that in Northern VA that equals bad, even worse being surrounded by two VERY overrated school systems in Arlington and Fairfax County.

What's the good/bad/and ugly on this district? Do their teachers enjoy working there? Do they promote from within? Do they frequently use technology in their classrooms and in the district, or is it still a novelty? How well are their middle schools performing? How are their benefits? Do the parents believe in the school district, or are they frequently dissatisfied?

The teachers i saw and had really took interest in their kids and were pretty content with their job. Can't really comment on the promotion but will say that TC Williams got a prinicipal and superintendent from other districts. Alexandria has a laptop initiative in their high school and the other schools aren't far behind from what i hear. The middle schools are having a tough time, both are in the process of trying to regain full accrediation. No comment on benefits. As a former student i'm pretty content, so are most of the former students and the parents i know who are in Alexandria schools.

All in all, i think that Alexandria City Public Schools will give you a rewarding and challenging experience. I think you'll enjoy it.

[mpascal]

[quote=Alanboy395;7720737]I attended Alexandria public schools from 04-06.

"Alexandria schools are pretty average in comparison with Virginia systems. The problem is that in Northern VA that equals bad, even worse being surrounded by two VERY overrated school systems in Arlington and Fairfax County."

This is something I notice with these boards quite a bit. I think it's fantastic if you can speak to your success in Alexandria and why you'd recommend the schools, based on first-hand experience. But why trash Arlington, calling it VERY overrated? Arlington is an outstanding system. I say that having worked there for 18 years, in multiple capacities. You don't offer anything concrete behind your comment, and without being a student, parent, or teacher in the system, I question the remark. Isn't it possible to speak of the virtues and successes of one place without denigrating another?

[Alanboy395]

[quote=mpascal;7730158]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

I attended Alexandria public schools from 04-06.

"Alexandria schools are pretty average in comparison with Virginia systems. The problem is that in Northern VA that equals bad, even worse being surrounded by two VERY overrated school systems in Arlington and Fairfax County."

This is something I notice with these boards quite a bit. I think it's fantastic if you can speak to your success in Alexandria and why you'd recommend the schools, based on first-hand experience. But why trash Arlington, calling it VERY overrated? Arlington is an outstanding system. I say that having worked there for 18 years, in multiple capacities. You don't offer anything concrete behind your comment, and without being a student, parent, or teacher in the system, I question the remark. Isn't it possible to speak of the virtues and successes of one place without denigrating another?

I have no problem with Northern Virginians saying that Arlington and Fairfax County schools are great, but what i do have a problem with is people saying that if your child aint in Arlington or Fairfax County schools that they are receiving an inferior education in any other school system. Virginia has great schools systems that are not even in NoVA; Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, York Co., Chesterfield, Williamsburg-JCC. NoVA has other great school systems in Prince William, Falls Church, and Loudoun. I'm just sick of Arlington and Fairfax County folks saying their systems are the only places you'll get a quality education.

[mpascal]

Interesting. I guess I haven't heard that as much as you have, and I certainly agree there are strong school systems around the state. There had been nothing mentioned in the earlier posts about comparing Alexandria specifically to the other districts, the OP just wanted to know about Alexandria. So I guess it seemed to me unnecessary to start knocking other places.

[DoveDiva]

Thanks for all the replies.

Virginia education period is light years better than that in many states. I taught for a year in York County--my inclusion students in VA are on the same academic level of regular education students at my current school in a very good suburban Atlanta district, and the advanced content students in YCSD were similar to the regular education students here.

I'm thankful that my career has taken me across three states, and has allowed me to see the differences in education.

I'm also going to consider Arlington and Fairfax.