We are a Foggy Bottom family. Our oldest son is in 3rd grade in his 5th year at FSEC, and our middle guy is in pre-K. We're planning for our youngest to start in pre-school there in 2 years.

We have been very happy with this school and are frankly bewildered as to why it is being considered for closure. Over the last 2-3 years especially we've seen a real increase in parental involvement, with a higher percentage of in-boundary students each year (although the fact that a large number of parents CHOOSE to come to FSEC even though it's out-of-boundary for them speaks volumes as to the quality of the education and the wider desirability of the school). The PTA is active, there are several listservs for parents to stay informed, and impromptu playdates among the younger kids are common. Our older son is challenged in class and enjoys the diversity of his classmates. We've been extremely impressed with the "family-like" feel of the school, with kids in the upper grades polite and helpful, and everyone in the school knowing my kids' names.

FSEC's test scores are above-average for the school system, and they are the highest of any of the 20 schools slated for closure. The proposed new "neighborhood" school for my children is 2 miles away from us, and would require a 3-part commute (2 metro rides plus bus, or 3 buses). This is an enormous hardship for our family and would preclude us from considering attending there. We don't know what we'd do if FSEC no longer exists, but we'd be very unlikely to continue in the public school path.

If the building itself is underutilized at this point, why not expand Walls to use some of the empty space? Destroying the FSEC community will eliminate yet another great school for students in a system that is already lacking many good options. LEAVE FSEC OPEN!!!