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Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:02PM

Our only child is currently a sophomore at one of the Catholic HS. We have realized that we made a mistake in not giving more weight to how important orchestra is to our son. We are part of the Westfield pyramid.

Although we love the small class size (the primary reason he wanted to go there was the size of WHS and its reputation for fighting) and were willing to shell out the $$ to send him there, we see now that music is critical to him and his identity. After a year, the situation between an incompetent strings teacher and him has worsened and it's time to consider other options.

I'm interested in parents' thoughts on moving a child mid-year? He's doing fine academically, but I don't know how a mid-year transfer affects his grades/transcript. I like the idea of bringing him back to our base school mid-year primarily to get him out of what I consider a toxic environment in orchestra. He auditioned for Mr. Rupert in 8th grade, and will be happy to be back in that environment. He also has the option to try to transfer to the IB program at Robinson; he has also heard great things about Mrs. Rupert's strings program and would thrive under her direction as well as her husband's.

We're going to leave it up to our son as to when he transfers, but I'd like to know others' experiences/thoughts on a mid-year transfer.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Daddy-O ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:06PM

You can't find competent private musical instruction outside FCPS?

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: B flat ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:10PM

Always take an AP school over IB. You don't get college credit for IB courses. The public schools have much more to offer if your child really wants to play in an orchestra. Your child will still benefit from private instruction. The director can probably recommend a few good teachers.

Would not sign up for Chemistry just yet.....

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: FONZ ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:13PM

Hi...you don't move your kid out of school for an extra curricular activity like "orchestra".....

What if your brat wrote for the school news paper but felt like they could really do more "cutting edge material" at the public school paper...would you move him for that?

I have a relative who went to Oberlin College (Probably the finest collage for musicians in the country) on scholarship, a gifted musician on multiple instruments....guess what he does now? teaches 7 year olds private lessons....

Do you think Junior is a better musician than this guy? No chance...

Tell junior to concentrate more on real subjects in school and shove the trombone up his ass.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:32PM

Clearly you have nothing relevant to add to this thread, but here's my response to you:

Wow. FYI, orchestra is NOT an extracurricular. It is a year-long class taught by music education professionals. For you to have such little respect for music education is appalling and underlies your lack of knowledge about the benefits of music education. Shame on you.

The newspaper, however, is an extracurricular activity at this school. So yes, if a journalism class had a poor instructor, unqualified to teach journalism, I would consider other options if the administration failed to take any corrective action. (As for your cousin, not all great musicians, if that what he is, make great teachers).

I'm not sure our son will be a music major, and as for his academic record, it's quite strong. However, as a tuition-paying parent, I expect the school to afford as much care in hiring an orchestra teacher as it does in hiring a "core" subject eacher.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:34PM

So, no thoughts on experiences with transferring kids mid-year?

No problems with private teacher-- not sure where you got that idea. His private instructor is fantastic.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:35PM

Thanks so much for the advice on AP/IB!

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: asdfdasfasdf ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:39PM

This should not be a site where you ask people about ANY school related topics. FTR, this site is full of trolls, right wing extremists, and idiotic people with nothing to do with their lives. If I were you, I would talk with your son's counselor, teachers, or his principal. Also, perhaps consider talking to the orchestra teacher at Westfield, the counselor, or the principal. Thats the way to go!

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: jksduhfgy ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:48PM

If you want your kid to be subjected to trannys in the one for all bathroom, sure go ahead and transfer him. Lots of trannys are into playing the meat flute in the ffcps latrine orchestra.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:49PM

I have seen other posts about schools on this site, so I didn't realize my post was particularly inappropriate. Maybe I'm in the wrong forum...

My question is specifically directed to parents about the pros/cons of moving a high school sophomore mid-year, e.g., how disruptive is it to the child socially, academically, etc. I don't know any parents who have transferred children mid-year, so that's why I posted. I'm not asking for a review of Westfield; I know all about Westfield and the challenges there.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: westfielddadx2 ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:55PM

Not saying there are/were never any fights at Westfield - in fact, I know there were - but my kids have never personally witnessed a single fight in all their years at Westfield. Hope it continues that way. Fights can happen at any school including private.

The orchestra program at Westfield is as good as any in FCPS. Mr. Rupert can be a little crusty and he is a bit of a grizzled veteran - but like most directors he does take great pride in his program and he knows his stuff as well as anyone and is still an active musician himself. I know a few orchestra kids and most seem to like and respect him. Mr. Rupert's bands have always done very well at VBODA assessments.

I'm sure transferring mid-year (or at all) is not much fun. It's a big school and program so most students don't have a problem finding a group of kids they can hang with. Obviously you will need to rely on some private instruction as well (it is expected) as the amount of personal instruction would be limited. Good luck in whatever/wherever you decide.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: jldwyefej ()
Date: November 03, 2015 02:59PM

momofone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> My question is specifically directed to parents
> about the pros/cons of moving a high school
> sophomore mid-year, e.g., how disruptive is it to
> the child socially, academically, etc.

You will dumb down your kid academically and subject them to unisex/unisexual bathrooms with trannys if you move them to public school. Yes, that is disruptive and socially and academically.

There's your answer. It doesn't take being a parent to have some basic common sense. If you didn't know this, I worry for the future of your kid.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: F sharp ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:01PM

If your child's needs are better met in the public schools he will be much happier in the short run and the long run. You will see a big difference very quickly, which should help to offset some of the stress he will face switching schools.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:05PM

Thank you! Your response made the post worth the trolls.

He'll have no problem connecting with his old friends from ES/MS. He still keeps in touch and socializes with them.

Love the comments about Mr. R; he is a character!

Again, thanks for your thoughts.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:05PM

Thank you.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: kwefhkrfgh ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:10PM

momofone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you! Your response made the post worth the
> trolls.

There were no trolls. This was real advice. Your boy is going to start dating and grinding on another boy who dresses like a girl. Make sure to invite his special friend over to meet the fam and friends.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Fox News ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:12PM

The FCPS transfer fees are pretty expensive this time of year.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: DkhidgGh ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:15PM

Fox News Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The FCPS transfer fees are pretty expensive this
> time of year.


What FCPS transfer fees?

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Bill.N. ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:16PM

One thing to understand about this forum is you need a thick skin to be here. It does not matter what the topic is, posting opens you up for insults. Still you can get some good information and insights if you are willing to wade through some trash.

I wish I could help with the midyear transfers, but the only experience I have with it is with people who didn't have much of a choice. I think Bflat's comment is a little too general. AP is better in general for students attending U.S. colleges, but it comes down to what rules apply at the college your kid wants to attend. The more important issue is the quality of the school. In this area AP schools tend to be better, but again there can be exceptions. IMO Robinson is a better school than Westfield.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: F sharp ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:17PM

momofone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you! Your response made the post worth the
> trolls.
>
> He'll have no problem connecting with his old
> friends from ES/MS. He still keeps in touch and
> socializes with them.
>
> Love the comments about Mr. R; he is a character!
>
> Again, thanks for your thoughts.

We switches schools mid-year in elementary school as my child was in a miserable situation. Everything changed virtually overnight once they felt they were where they belonged.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:19PM

I don't think there are any for us. We live in the WHS pyramid.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: B flat ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:20PM

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One thing to understand about this forum is you
> need a thick skin to be here. It does not matter
> what the topic is, posting opens you up for
> insults. Still you can get some good information
> and insights if you are willing to wade through
> some trash.
>
> I wish I could help with the midyear transfers,
> but the only experience I have with it is with
> people who didn't have much of a choice. I think
> Bflat's comment is a little too general. AP is
> better in general for students attending U.S.
> colleges, but it comes down to what rules apply at
> the college your kid wants to attend. The more
> important issue is the quality of the school. In
> this area AP schools tend to be better, but again
> there can be exceptions. IMO Robinson is a better
> school than Westfield.


Both my kids had a year of college under their belts when they graduated, along with the appropriate AP scores that allowed them to move straight into upper level courses and double major in four years. That worked well for us.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: momofone ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:27PM

LOL! Thanks for that! You're a good man. Also thanks for your thoughts on the AP/IB decision. When our son was in 8th grade, we went to the IB presentation at Robinson. I pushed for Robinson IB, but he decided to go the private school route and here we are. I

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Bill.N. ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:30PM


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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: B flat ()
Date: November 03, 2015 03:34PM

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Like I said it depends on the college.
> http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/education/m
> ore-colleges-stop-giving-credit-ap-exams


Yes, it can depend on the college. The required AP score that will allow you to skip some courses also varies from school to school. However, you are not going to know until well into senior year where your child is going to go. It is a certainty that an IB course is not going to earn your child any college credit. You need to understand that.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Bill.N. ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:33PM

I believe you may be behind the times B flat. Last time I had to look into this was in the Woodson redistricting, but at that time a number of colleges were granting credit to certain IB classes. I believe UVA and GMU were among those which gave credit.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Better Heroin ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:45PM

I hear Westfields HS is the best place to top notch Heroin.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Fox News ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:47PM

Have you considered homeschooling?????

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: ddUpU ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:51PM

momofone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe I'm in the wrong forum...

This.

If you want serious, thoughtful answers, go to the DC Urban Mom forums http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/forums/list.page or the Northern Virginia forum over at City Data http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/

Assuming you yourself are not subtly trolling, you're going to get a very high number of troll responses to even the most innocent, innocuous and bland question asked on this forum.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Jokes on Stage ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:52PM

Fox News Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have you considered homeschooling?????

Yes, because you can really fuck your kids over good with home schooling.

A friend of mine home schooled his kids. I would hear these great stories about how smart the kids were and they were way ahead of kids in public schools.

Well I guess they didn't do that well on the college board tests because now they can barely pass classes at various community colleges.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: noprincewilliam ()
Date: November 03, 2015 04:55PM

Better Heroin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hear Westfields HS is the best place to top
> notch Heroin.

No - that was 2000s. Has moved further west. Battlefield. Patriot.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: B flat ()
Date: November 03, 2015 05:04PM

Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I believe you may be behind the times B flat.
> Last time I had to look into this was in the
> Woodson redistricting, but at that time a number
> of colleges were granting credit to certain IB
> classes. I believe UVA and GMU were among those
> which gave credit.


Well this is news to me. This must be fairly recent. My kids were told AP only.

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: Fox News ()
Date: November 03, 2015 05:13PM

Jokes on Stage Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fox News Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Have you considered homeschooling?????
>
> Yes, because you can really fuck your kids over
> good with home schooling.
>
> A friend of mine home schooled his kids. I would
> hear these great stories about how smart the kids
> were and they were way ahead of kids in public
> schools.
>
> Well I guess they didn't do that well on the
> college board tests because now they can barely
> pass classes at various community colleges.


Do you consider yourself a helicopter or free range parent?

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Re: Thoughts on transferring mid-year from private back to FCPS (Westfield)
Posted by: B flat ()
Date: November 03, 2015 05:15PM

B flat Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill.N. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I believe you may be behind the times B flat.
> > Last time I had to look into this was in the
> > Woodson redistricting, but at that time a
> number
> > of colleges were granting credit to certain IB
> > classes. I believe UVA and GMU were among
> those
> > which gave credit.
>
>
> Well this is news to me. This must be fairly
> recent. My kids were told AP only.

I did get one into UVA on ACT alone when everybody said it could not be done. That you HAD to do SAT.

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