Mary G Porter Traditional School

Q: What is a "School of Choice"?
A: A school of choice is a place where students attend by choice, rather than by geographic assignment. Because you choose to come to Porter, we can agree as educators and parents to shape our programs in the best interests of the students. This is different from general public education, where the programs must consider the entire public population of the school system. [Top]

Q: What grades are at Porter?
A: Porter opened for the 2004-2005 school year with grades 1 through 6. The current plan is to add one grade each year to accommodate rising students through eighth grade. We will have grades 1-7 for the 2005-2006 school year and grades 1-8 for the 2006-2007 school year. [Top]

Q: Who can go to Porter?
A: Any student living in eastern Prince William County is eligible to apply to attend Porter School. [Top]

Q: How are students identified to attend Porter?
A: There is no identification program for attendance at Porter. The choice to pursue Porter as a school for their children is entirely up to the parents. Parents must complete an application packet for each student. [Top]

Q: Is Porter a disciplinary school?
A: Porter is not a program designed for students with disciplinary difficulties. We do have a high standard of conduct that all students are expected to follow. The behavioral code is clearly defined, as are penalties for violations. [Top]

Q: Is Porter an alternative school?
A: No. [Top]

Q: Is Porter a school for underachievers?
A: Porter is not aimed at underachieving students in particular. We believe that every student can succeed, given the support and attention of their parents and teachers. [Top]

Q: Is Porter a school for overachievers?
A: Porter is not aimed at overachieving students in particular either. We are not a magnet school. We do, however, expect a level of performance at or above grade level from all our students, regardless of their previous performance. [Top]

Q: Is Porter a school for gifted students?
A: Porter is a school for students of parents who want to support their success. We are not specifically a “gifted school”. As with all PWC schools, we have programs for gifted students in addition to the regular curriculum. [Top]

Q: Where is Porter located?
A: Porter is located on Forest Grove Drive in Woodbridge. From Route 1, go East on Rippon Blvd and take the first right on to Forest Grove Drive. Make your first left to Porter Traditional School. [Top]

Q: What is expected of students who attend Porter?
A: Porter students are expected to give their best effort toward their work at school, at home, and in their community. They are guided and encouraged in proper behavior, proper use of language, strong study habits, and community involvement. Each student is required to perform 10 - 20 hours volunteer service, depending on their grade level. [Top]

Q: What is expected of parents whose children attend Porter?
A: Porter parents are expected to give their best effort toward supporting their children’s efforts at school and in the community. Each student’s family is required to volunteer at the school for at least 10 hours on their behalf each school year. [Top]

Q: How do students get to school?
A: PWCS Transportation provides express bus service from pickup points around the county. Parents are expected to take their students to the appropriate bus stop in the morning and meet them there in the afternoon. Parents may also drop off and pick up students at Porter. [Top]

Q: Is there a waiting list to get in to Porter?
A: Yes. All complete applications for each year are placed in a pool from which a random list of applicants is generated. Names are then taken in order from the list for each grade level as openings become available. Applications are received by Porter, and the selection process is handled by PWCS and Porter administrative personnel. [Top]

Q: Are some grades easier to get into than others?
A: Yes. The majority of applications come in for first grade. First grade has the most openings, because we have no returning students in that grade, so there are 75 openings. Second grade and up generally average only 5 or 6 openings each year. [Top]

Q: Is there a music program at Porter?
A: Yes. Porter has music education at all grade levels. We will also have Fifth and Sixth Grade Band, Fifth and Sixth Grade Chorus and Fifth and Sixth Grade Strings programs. [Top]

Q: Does Porter have its own curriculum?
A: Porter follows the Prince William County Schools curriculum. [Top]

Q: Who is Marva Collins?
A: Marva Collins is an educator in Chicago whose work forms the basis for many of the educational principles we ascribe to at Porter. Mrs. Collins’ primary belief is that “every child is a born achiever”. Character education is a strong part of Collins programs. You can get more information at Mrs. Collins’ website, http://www.marvacollins.com/. [Top]

Q: Is there a dress code at Porter?
A: Yes. Porter students are required to wear uniforms. They may choose from a variety of uniform options to determine their outfit for any given day. [Top]

Q: Is there research to support a relationship between uniforms and academic performance?
A: Long Beach, California, the first city in the United States to require uniforms in elementary and middle schools, found improved school attendance, better academic performance and better school spirit (JoBeth McDaniel in Reader’s Digest, 1996). According to the Kansas City, KS, Public Schools web site, “Principals have stated that research supports evidence of the positive impact school uniforms have on academic climate. Reflected in the data is confirmation of improved student attendance, increased positive student attitudes, decreased peer pressure regarding dress, and increased student academic performance." [Top]