As the bell rings, signaling the change of classes, over 2600 students flood the halls. Navigating through the cramped passageways of the school is a chore for students and teachers alike, and has been a big problem for the past several years as AHS becomes increasingly overcrowded. However, thanks to recent action of the FCPS School Board, this will change. Come June, about 200 members of the classes of 2012 and 2013 will no longer call AHS their base school.
environments, Steve Sengstack, AHS’ Director of Student Services held a meeting last Thursday to discuss the coming changes to students heading to Lake Braddock. “I wish everyone who wanted to could say,” said Sengstack, addressing the group of about 50 students, “but unfortunately that is not an option.” After being met with a myriad of questions about exceptions which would allow students to remain at AHS, Sengstack went on to explain that all rising seniors had the option of staying. However, only rising juniors “pursuing the IB diploma, meaning they are scheduled to take three higher level and three standard level classes as well as Theory of Knowledge and have an approved sequence of courses from their counselor” will be allowed to remain at AHS. The other two groups of students who are members of the classes of 2012 and 2013 that will be allowed to stay Annandale next year are those enrolled in Arabic, those with parents working at AHS or a feeder middle school, or those who have been pupil placed.
According to Wilson, the School Board will reexamine the population after these 225 students are moved and assess the effects. She believes that the board “will look at it and make adjustments,” and, if all goes according to plan, “have [further] changes take place in the fall of the 2012.”