Are you happy with Thoreau?
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Anonymous
| We are happy. My child is in all AAP and getting straight A's without working too hard, but seemingly challenged enough. He has met some really nice friends who we are excited will be heading to Madison with him. The academics seem very good and we do not regret at all declining LJ. We are waving him off of TJ, so that is a non-issue. I will say I was really not prepared for how socially different 7th grade is from 6th....dating, texting, social apps...it has been a tsunami of things to handle/put limits on...….I was warned, but I was not prepared...….. |
Anonymous
| Thoreau does not offer "AAP," but rather offers honors classes to students found AAP-eligible. To have access to AAP-level classes in middle school, students must enroll at their designated AAP Center. There seems to be some confusion on this point, as some middle schools claim to have local level IV programs, but this concept is not recognized by FCPS at the middle school level. |
Anonymous
The concept is recognized by the middle schools that offer it (i.e. Franklin, Irving, Thoreau, others)even if FCPS doesn't make a point of it. You have a bone to pick. Fine. But, you are intentionally trying to misdirect people. The AAP classes at Thoreau, as well as the other schools that have Level 4, are definitely NOT the same content or assignments as the honors classes. I had one in honors for the past two years and now one in AAP at TMS... not the same expectations. This is by design. I've seen in gradebook where the teacher has a line item listing a particular task with the words "AAP extension." (meaning: this requirement is only for the AAP classes). To answer the original question, we are very satisfied with Thoreau. English is notably more challenging (but, like any school, it could be the specific teacher my AAP kid has for English). The other 50% of AAP (beside the teaching/content) is the peer group. Level 4 MS programs put the AAP kids together for science, English, and history. So, the student contributions/discussions are supposedly enhanced by kids who have all qualified for AAP. I say "supposedly" b/c the reality is that the kids in honors at TMS are largely AAP-equivalent. That may not be true at every MS. But, TMS draws students who are mostly higher SES and therefore, I suspect there isn't a huge difference between the AAP kids and the honors kids. But, if a distinction must be made, the AAP kids are put together in those core classes, and fuel a higher level of understanding and discussion. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
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I understand that certain middle schools themselves state that they offer some version of a local level IV program. If you visit the official FCPS AAP website (see link below), however, you'll find no mention of Thoreau, Franklin, or Irving and the only references to local level IV programs (schools marked with an asterisk) are elementary schools.
https://www.fcps.edu/index.php/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/advanced-academics/advanced-academic-level-iv-school |
Anonymous
| We are one of those families and are very happy. Teachers are energetic and invested. Our child is in all honors and does admit that it's "a little easy", but he seems engaged and interested, so we'll take it. He has made a lot of solid friend, who are also going to Madison. He has plenty of time for other interests, and seems well-balanced. For use, we feel very sure we made the right decision. We, like other posters, have no aspirations for TJ so cannot speak to that particular sliver of things.... |
Anonymous
Are you worried he’ll find Thoreau didn’t adequately prepare him for the next step in madison’s Honors math classes? |
Anonymous
Not PP but friends at Kilmer which is an AAp center state the same thing- easy in a way (HS math is the exception). Jackson piles on work for what I hear. |
Anonymous
Not in the least bit worried. |
Anonymous
| Since algebra II largely builds on Algebra I, how could you not be concerned with a building block course that’s too easy? |
Anonymous
People aren’t confused. You are simply being pedantic. |
Anonymous
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So to sum up the entire thread:
People who send their kids to Thoreau are happy with it and their kids are prepared and do fine at Madison (or Marshall or wherever). People who send their kids to Jackson are also happy (so long as they are in the AAP sections). They are also prepared for high school. The end. |
Anonymous
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I think there’s a little more. I think Thoreau offers more social connections to Madison and easier grading and easier classes and less homework, nicer facilities and closer (less commute) and less established aap curriculum. Luther offers a better education/more established curriculum and the opposite of most of Thoreau’s benefits (longer commute, harder grading, more homework, old building, etc.). The vast majority are happy with their decisions and over a
Two year period a couple switch each year - that’s it. |
Anonymous
So, let's be clear...this is your opinion. And it is not based on any objective evidence. It's really more like urban legend at this point. ( and projected by those who need to denigrate TMS in order to make LJMS look better.) What PP summarized is accurate. Parents of AAP kids at both schools are satisfied. |
Anonymous
| Even though my kid is AAP, I would not give a flying fig if Thoreau didn't have AAP classes. What I do care about is that Thoreau has an excellent reputation for helping nurture these kids during what are probably the two toughest years of school. The parents (mostly) are happy with their kids social and mental well-being and that is good enough for me |