Robinson

[Anonymous]

I believe that Principals get to decide if they are going to house a Level IV program at their school, at least i know that had been the case on the ES level. Our school is a language immersion school and the Principal, honestly I think it was most of the Teachers as well, did not want a Local Level IV in the school. Teacher friends I talked to about Level IV who teach at our school were pretty dismissive. So we did not have a Local Level IV program. That is changing this year, I believe that FCPS is now requiring all ES to have Local Level IV and that they have three years, including this year, to establish a program.

I suspect that MS have the same flexibility. If Robinson does not have AAP classes for the MS crowd, it is because it is not of interest to the Staff at the school and not enough parents have asked/demanded one. Honestly, the families at my ES are pretty happy with the base and very few kids attend the Center. That could be the case for the Robinson feeder ES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't have as many Asian kids boosting its test scores as Woodson, Oakton, McLean, etc.

It has the IB program, which at least in FCPS is considered less desirable than AP (Robinson does have some AP classes, just not a full menu).

And, Lake Braddock SS has the middle-school AAP (advanced academics) program in the area, and is an AP school with enough capacity to accept transfers, so there are a lot of AAP kids from the Robinson pyramid who stay at LBSS through high school.

Adjust for those factors, and it's about where you'd expect academically. Overall, it's considered a big school that operates well, especially for its size.

The IB program, and the fact that there are no AAP centers at all in the pyramid (at either the elementary or middle school levels) mean that many high achieving families look elsewhere.

The flip side being that it does not appeal to parents who start prepping their kids for TJ in kindergarten.

That's a plus or minus, depending on your outlook.

That was a good one. 😊

Much of the cheating element is missing.

Last few posts are making a good case that Robinson is a place where middle-brow white racists can find a home.

FWIW, we're apparently one of the low-achieving families zoned for Robinson. Kids are in AAP LLIV, because we're happy with their neighborhood school and didn't want to uproot them and send to a center. One parent is a product of FCPS AP program, the other a European boarding school. It's pretty clear from comparing our own HS experiences that the European one was more rigorous, so we're fine with IB if the kids are so inclined. And if they're not, that's also fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't have as many Asian kids boosting its test scores as Woodson, Oakton, McLean, etc.

It has the IB program, which at least in FCPS is considered less desirable than AP (Robinson does have some AP classes, just not a full menu).

And, Lake Braddock SS has the middle-school AAP (advanced academics) program in the area, and is an AP school with enough capacity to accept transfers, so there are a lot of AAP kids from the Robinson pyramid who stay at LBSS through high school.

Adjust for those factors, and it's about where you'd expect academically. Overall, it's considered a big school that operates well, especially for its size.

The IB program, and the fact that there are no AAP centers at all in the pyramid (at either the elementary or middle school levels) mean that many high achieving families look elsewhere.

The flip side being that it does not appeal to parents who start prepping their kids for TJ in kindergarten.

That's a plus or minus, depending on your outlook.

That was a good one. 😊

Much of the cheating element is missing.

Last few posts are making a good case that Robinson is a place where middle-brow white racists can find a home.

FWIW, we're apparently one of the low-achieving families zoned for Robinson. Kids are in AAP LLIV, because we're happy with their neighborhood school and didn't want to uproot them and send to a center. One parent is a product of FCPS AP program, the other a European boarding school. It's pretty clear from comparing our own HS experiences that the European one was more rigorous, so we're fine with IB if the kids are so inclined. And if they're not, that's also fine.

You must not be bright if you think the rigor was a function of IB vs. AP as opposed to expensive boarding school vs. neighborhood public.

IB isn't all that, and it gets dumbed down even further in FCPS because schools are now pushing kids into IB classes to improve the ratings relative to AP schools where students decide which classes to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't have as many Asian kids boosting its test scores as Woodson, Oakton, McLean, etc.

It has the IB program, which at least in FCPS is considered less desirable than AP (Robinson does have some AP classes, just not a full menu).

And, Lake Braddock SS has the middle-school AAP (advanced academics) program in the area, and is an AP school with enough capacity to accept transfers, so there are a lot of AAP kids from the Robinson pyramid who stay at LBSS through high school.

Adjust for those factors, and it's about where you'd expect academically. Overall, it's considered a big school that operates well, especially for its size.

The IB program, and the fact that there are no AAP centers at all in the pyramid (at either the elementary or middle school levels) mean that many high achieving families look elsewhere.

The flip side being that it does not appeal to parents who start prepping their kids for TJ in kindergarten.

That's a plus or minus, depending on your outlook.

That was a good one. 😊

Much of the cheating element is missing.

Last few posts are making a good case that Robinson is a place where middle-brow white racists can find a home.

FWIW, we're apparently one of the low-achieving families zoned for Robinson. Kids are in AAP LLIV, because we're happy with their neighborhood school and didn't want to uproot them and send to a center. One parent is a product of FCPS AP program, the other a European boarding school. It's pretty clear from comparing our own HS experiences that the European one was more rigorous, so we're fine with IB if the kids are so inclined. And if they're not, that's also fine.

You must not be bright if you think the rigor was a function of IB vs. AP as opposed to expensive boarding school vs. neighborhood public.

IB isn't all that, and it gets dumbed down even further in FCPS because schools are now pushing kids into IB classes to improve the ratings relative to AP schools where students decide which classes to take.

Yep, you got me, totally not bright. That's why we'll send our kids to Robinson, after which they will clearly not be equipped to do anything more than pump gas somewhere in NJ for the remainder of their meager lives, if they're lucky.

[Anonymous]

My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

Thank you PP. We are another AAP family sending our kid to Robinson for 7th. We also live like a five minute walk away. It just doesn't make sense to tack on a bus ride when there's a perfectly good school right here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

We ended up having to move out of the area due to a job transfer, but we were grateful that Robinson was "middle of the road." I mean, like all all FCPS high schools, it's a huge school.The competition to do anything is just out of this world, especially for those of us who grew up in areas where you could choose to participate in any extracurricular activity or sport. Because it was "middle of the road," our kids met other kids who were just like them. That is, they were bright, high-achieving students who were able to find a niche in this giant school without the horrible, horrible stress of extreme competition. Check out the suicide rates between Robinson and Woodson. There's no comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

Thank you PP. We are another AAP family sending our kid to Robinson for 7th. We also live like a five minute walk away. It just doesn't make sense to tack on a bus ride when there's a perfectly good school right here.

You are choosing being able to walk to school over receiving a more rigorous education with overall more capable peers? That is insane, and that is why Robinson underperforms its demographics - the community there has messed up values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

We ended up having to move out of the area due to a job transfer, but we were grateful that Robinson was "middle of the road." I mean, like all all FCPS high schools, it's a huge school.The competition to do anything is just out of this world, especially for those of us who grew up in areas where you could choose to participate in any extracurricular activity or sport. Because it was "middle of the road," our kids met other kids who were just like them. That is, they were bright, high-achieving students who were able to find a niche in this giant school without the horrible, horrible stress of extreme competition. Check out the suicide rates between Robinson and Woodson. There's no comparison.

Seems like there might be more competition, not less, when the school has over 2500 kids in grades 9-12. And bringing up suicides at Woodson from 7-10 years ago is just gross. Surely there has to be a better way to describe Robinson's strengths, whatever they may be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

Thank you PP. We are another AAP family sending our kid to Robinson for 7th. We also live like a five minute walk away. It just doesn't make sense to tack on a bus ride when there's a perfectly good school right here.

You are choosing being able to walk to school over receiving a more rigorous education with overall more capable peers? That is insane, and that is why Robinson underperforms its demographics - the community there has messed up values.

Honestly, the "extra" of AAP in 7th grade compared to having to spend ~1 plus commuting to school on a bus is a no-brainer. Robinson has Alg. 1 honors and my kid has no interest in TJ. So, yeah, she will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

We ended up having to move out of the area due to a job transfer, but we were grateful that Robinson was "middle of the road." I mean, like all all FCPS high schools, it's a huge school.The competition to do anything is just out of this world, especially for those of us who grew up in areas where you could choose to participate in any extracurricular activity or sport. Because it was "middle of the road," our kids met other kids who were just like them. That is, they were bright, high-achieving students who were able to find a niche in this giant school without the horrible, horrible stress of extreme competition. Check out the suicide rates between Robinson and Woodson. There's no comparison.

Seems like there might be more competition, not less, when the school has over 2500 kids in grades 9-12. And bringing up suicides at Woodson from 7-10 years ago is just gross. Surely there has to be a better way to describe Robinson's strengths, whatever they may be.

I'd say you're right as a Robinson parent. I actually have a kid at Woodson (AP placement -- yes, they are taking transfers as of last year, fwiw). I also have a Robinson kid. BOTH schools are stellar and my opinion is that you really can't go wrong for those people who live near us (toward the top of Kings Park West).

[Anonymous]

If Lake Braddock is siphoning off these AAP kids and AP kids, why isn't IT a better performing school? It's like Robinson's twin in terms of SAT scores, etc. I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC is a rising 7th at Robinson SS. We've heard good things about it from neighbors who seem happy. It does seem middle of the road compared to Woodson, McLean, Langley, etc. but honestly I feel that most public schools in the area are pretty much the same. We supplement with tutoring classes and extracurricular like other families in FFX co. On the upside, we love our neighborhood and the walkability to the ES and secondary school. We had thought of sending kid to Lake Braddock for continued AAP but it didn't seem worth it. We like walking to school so that won out.

Thank you PP. We are another AAP family sending our kid to Robinson for 7th. We also live like a five minute walk away. It just doesn't make sense to tack on a bus ride when there's a perfectly good school right here.

You are choosing being able to walk to school over receiving a more rigorous education with overall more capable peers? That is insane, and that is why Robinson underperforms its demographics - the community there has messed up values.

We choose to defer AAP and keep our kid at his base school. It has Advanced Math and a regular Level III pull out. We did not want to change schools and the Center he was going to is one that is stupid competitive. He is in ES, he doesn't need to be competing with kids for 4s or whatever the hell it is the kids are competing for at his Center school. And you know what? We are not alone. 70% of the parents whose kids are accepted into AAP at our Base school don't send them to the Center. Every year, there are kids who return form the Center school to the base school.

We feed into Carson by the way. There are plenty of really good ES that don't have Level IV or have Local Level IV. Many parents don't see attending a Center as the end all and be all of our kids academic life. I strongly suspect that my kid will do great in High School, regardless of deferring Level IV placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Lake Braddock is siphoning off these AAP kids and AP kids, why isn't IT a better performing school? It's like Robinson's twin in terms of SAT scores, etc. I don't get it.

The base boundaries of Robinson are wealthier than the base boundaries of Robinson. Sometimes Lake Braddock does have better SAT scores than Robinson; sometimes the opposite is true. Of the three schools in that area that tend to get discussed together (West Springfield, Lake Braddock, and Robinson), it's typically West Springfield that has the best SOL scores (as opposed to SAT scores). Go figure - not worth worrying about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that Principals get to decide if they are going to house a Level IV program at their school, at least i know that had been the case on the ES level. Our school is a language immersion school and the Principal, honestly I think it was most of the Teachers as well, did not want a Local Level IV in the school. Teacher friends I talked to about Level IV who teach at our school were pretty dismissive. So we did not have a Local Level IV program. That is changing this year, I believe that FCPS is now requiring all ES to have Local Level IV and that they have three years, including this year, to establish a program.

I suspect that MS have the same flexibility. If Robinson does not have AAP classes for the MS crowd, it is because it is not of interest to the Staff at the school and not enough parents have asked/demanded one. Honestly, the families at my ES are pretty happy with the base and very few kids attend the Center. That could be the case for the Robinson feeder ES.

If fcps school board wanted to fix "equity" between the schools without a bunch of controversy, they could do this quite easily.

All they need to do is to add a middle school and elementary school level IV AAP center in every damn high school pyramid.

There is no escuse other than giving smart kids a way to transfer 9ut of districts like Lewis and Mount Vernon, for fcps to not offe4 an innzone AAP track at every single pyramid.

But of course, they refuse to take the easiest, most effective, cheapest option with the most immediate results.