Cooper Questions

[Anonymous]

We lived in the area pre-Covid and are moving back this summer. My daughter is going to be attending Cooper as a 7th grader and I’d love if someone could answer a few questions for me!

1. Difference between AAP and Honors - I understand that the AAP kids are in AAP for science, reading and math whereas the honors kids can choose one or more subjects of their choice. My daughter did qualify for AAP before we left FCPS and so she can move into AAP at Cooper next year. I am concerned because she has ADHD and really struggles with executive functioning. 6th grade has been really tough at her current school with a significant homework load. She should not be in AAP, right? We are leaning that direction but I’m not sure if I’m missing something or if it’s dumb to turn AAP down.

2. Can someone tell me about the red firehouse? Do kids actually go there or is this not really popular in practice?

3. Are there any other after school activities or specifically homework of tutoring places that provide busing from cooper?

4. Is it going to be really hard for a kid who doesn’t know anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the area pre-Covid and are moving back this summer. My daughter is going to be attending Cooper as a 7th grader and I’d love if someone could answer a few questions for me!

1. Difference between AAP and Honors - I understand that the AAP kids are in AAP for science, reading and math whereas the honors kids can choose one or more subjects of their choice. My daughter did qualify for AAP before we left FCPS and so she can move into AAP at Cooper next year. I am concerned because she has ADHD and really struggles with executive functioning. 6th grade has been really tough at her current school with a significant homework load. She should not be in AAP, right? We are leaning that direction but I’m not sure if I’m missing something or if it’s dumb to turn AAP down. Correct. She should not be in AAP if she has executive function issues. he difference between AAP, HN and gen ed is that AAP assumes a child can “get” a concept quickly without much help. If they struggle (particularly in math), then they will get really behind. Personally, I would recommend gen ed until you are confident your child has developed the skills she needs. My older kids did gen ed and then rocked high school because they had a solid foundation.

2. Can someone tell me about the red firehouse? Do kids actually go there or is this not really popular in practice? I think kids do go there. My son wanted to go, but we couldn’t make it work with everyone’s activities, but he had friends that went. Cooper also has some after school activities — my DS did cross country and chess, and then theater rehearsals were after school.

3. Are there any other after school activities or specifically homework of tutoring places that provide busing from cooper? There are plenty of activities! Maybe call the school to see what is currently offered. My son will stay after school and do a variety of things.

4. Is it going to be really hard for a kid who doesn’t know anyone?

[b]There are lots of new kids, particularly because this area is somewhat transient with foreign service kids. In middle school, friendships from elementary school tend to break up [/, so there will be lots of opportunity to make new friends.b]

[Anonymous]

PP here. I can’t emphasize enough the value in gen ed and not pushing kids beyond their limits while they are developing their foundation. My DS who is currently at Cooper had a ton of anxiety around academics. Despite being very bright, we kept him in gen ed. He is now in Algebra and has a solid A+, which boosted his confidence enough that he will take HN in high school. That never would have happened had we tired to push him. Meanwhile, he has friends who were pushed into AAP and HN, and are struggling in math. There is nothing wrong with gen ed. By the time they get to HS, there is no AAP anymore and you really cannot tell who was in it and who wasn’t. My DD tested out of a semester of college (with AP test) and she was gen ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I can’t emphasize enough the value in gen ed and not pushing kids beyond their limits while they are developing their foundation. My DS who is currently at Cooper had a ton of anxiety around academics. Despite being very bright, we kept him in gen ed. He is now in Algebra and has a solid A+, which boosted his confidence enough that he will take HN in high school. That never would have happened had we tired to push him. Meanwhile, he has friends who were pushed into AAP and HN, and are struggling in math. There is nothing wrong with gen ed. By the time they get to HS, there is no AAP anymore and you really cannot tell who was in it and who wasn’t. My DD tested out of a semester of college (with AP test) and she was gen ed.

Fcps middle school grading system does not have A+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I can’t emphasize enough the value in gen ed and not pushing kids beyond their limits while they are developing their foundation. My DS who is currently at Cooper had a ton of anxiety around academics. Despite being very bright, we kept him in gen ed. He is now in Algebra and has a solid A+, which boosted his confidence enough that he will take HN in high school. That never would have happened had we tired to push him. Meanwhile, he has friends who were pushed into AAP and HN, and are struggling in math. There is nothing wrong with gen ed. By the time they get to HS, there is no AAP anymore and you really cannot tell who was in it and who wasn’t. My DD tested out of a semester of college (with AP test) and she was gen ed.

Fcps middle school grading system does not have A+.

When I look at his number grade and calculate the percentage, I know what an A+ is (97-100). That’s what my brain tells me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I can’t emphasize enough the value in gen ed and not pushing kids beyond their limits while they are developing their foundation. My DS who is currently at Cooper had a ton of anxiety around academics. Despite being very bright, we kept him in gen ed. He is now in Algebra and has a solid A+, which boosted his confidence enough that he will take HN in high school. That never would have happened had we tired to push him. Meanwhile, he has friends who were pushed into AAP and HN, and are struggling in math. There is nothing wrong with gen ed. By the time they get to HS, there is no AAP anymore and you really cannot tell who was in it and who wasn’t. My DD tested out of a semester of college (with AP test) and she was gen ed.

Fcps middle school grading system does not have A+.

When I look at his number grade and calculate the percentage, I know what an A+ is (97-100). That’s what my brain tells me.

Check here: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary/grading-scale
93-100: A

[Anonymous]

Hey OP,

1. ADHD won’t hold your kid back in AAP or HN. My kiddo excels with adhd in AAP and HN because he is ND. He’s flat out bored in Gen Ed classes. AAP has more pull outs, group work and deep critical thinking assignments. Anyone can take HN and that should be used for topics your kid enjoys. If she hates math, don’t accelerate in math but if she likes English do select English HN.

2. It seems active but we’ve never gone. There are so many on campus clubs it’s easy to be busy at school.

3. Yes. Lots of clubs, study hall and office hours for teachers. Very easy to join and meet people and get your work done.

4. Nope, a bunch of schools combine, new kids enter and it’s a large school. She’ll find her crowd if she joins some clubs or activities.

[Anonymous]

My DC has ADHD and did not find the AAP middle school classes too difficult. He does have a “B” in a couple classes though. He didn’t take Algebra in 7th and that made it easier for him. The school gives opportunities to re-take tests and offers a lot of extra help.

[Anonymous]

AAP is not hugely different than General Ed. I find it astounding that some claim their kids would be bored out of their minds in GenEd. I am not saying not to take HN or AA classes (if you're accepted) but people are delusional if they think their kid would die of boredom in GenEd. AAP is so watered down these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP is not hugely different than General Ed. I find it astounding that some claim their kids would be bored out of their minds in GenEd. I am not saying not to take HN or AA classes (if you're accepted) but people are delusional if they think their kid would die of boredom in GenEd. AAP is so watered down these days.

Honors is almost identical as GenEd at Cooper. It is ridiculous to even have the distinction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AAP is not hugely different than General Ed. I find it astounding that some claim their kids would be bored out of their minds in GenEd. I am not saying not to take HN or AA classes (if you're accepted) but people are delusional if they think their kid would die of boredom in GenEd. AAP is so watered down these days.

Honors is almost identical as GenEd at Cooper. It is ridiculous to even have the distinction.

AAP is almost identical to Honors everywhere. It is ridiculous to even have that distinction.
DP

[Anonymous]

No it’s not the same as Honors and the big difference is in the kids who are in their AAP classes with them. There is a huge benefit to being with peers who want to achieve. Just accept AAP is a different program - enough already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in the area pre-Covid and are moving back this summer. My daughter is going to be attending Cooper as a 7th grader and I’d love if someone could answer a few questions for me!

1. Difference between AAP and Honors - I understand that the AAP kids are in AAP for science, reading and math whereas the honors kids can choose one or more subjects of their choice. My daughter did qualify for AAP before we left FCPS and so she can move into AAP at Cooper next year. I am concerned because she has ADHD and really struggles with executive functioning. 6th grade has been really tough at her current school with a significant homework load. She should not be in AAP, right? We are leaning that direction but I’m not sure if I’m missing something or if it’s dumb to turn AAP down.

2. Can someone tell me about the red firehouse? Do kids actually go there or is this not really popular in practice?

3. Are there any other after school activities or specifically homework of tutoring places that provide busing from cooper?

4. Is it going to be really hard for a kid who doesn’t know anyone?

Does your DD have an IEP or a 504 at her current school? The IEP/504 will transfer to Cooper. They cannot deny her AAP services that she is otherwise qualified for on the basis of an IEP/504. (Assuming that you want her in AAP.)

7th grade starts very slowly. The first quarter is about getting the students used to middle school. I don’t think the work itself in 7th grade was difficult at all for most students. 8th grade was a little more challenging.

[Anonymous]

My kid is finishing up 7th grade at cooper. It was an EASY year academically. She came from a private though so maybe that’s why it seemed like a breeze. I can speak to the AAP classes: they are not very challenging. There are literally zero projects. Teachers are all about the tests. You’re definitely getting the benefit of being with more motivated kids and for sure less behavioral problems. My kid never had homework - teachers give tons of time to catch up on work at school and there is built in QST time (which is a block where you can go to any teacher for extra help).
Socially it’s a shit show. Lots of rich kids who act like queen bee snobs — you’ll recognize them by their “uniform” of buttcheek revealing Lululemon shorts and crop tops that I would only expect to see at a beach, Nike socks, and the latest $200+ Nike shoes that are deemed cool. If they can steer clear of those types, your kid can definitely find their clique. Great kids in band, theater, chorus, and debate who are very welcoming.

[Anonymous]

So sad to hear the above about AAP. When my DD was there pre-Covid, they had a bunch of interdisciplinary projects including a mock trial. DD learned so much and really enjoyed school. Disappointed to hear that’s no longer part of the experience.