Advice sought for aap appeal

[Anonymous]

My DC didn’t get in with 131 Cogat 160 NNAT and 14 GBRS. We did a wisc and it’s 130 fsiq and 139 gai but average working memory and processing speed. Do I include the wisc in the appeal? His teacher said she was very surprised that he was not accepted. Should I include that in the cover letter or would it rub the committee the wrong way somehow? We don’t really have any new samples to submit and the school hasn’t been helpful at all in that sense. Will not submitting samples hurt in the appeal? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I think I would put in the WISC personally. Ask the teacher for samples if they said surprised. I am not really sure whether that fact reported by you would move the needle either way. Did the person who did the wisc write a report? Mine did - and in it, it said they recommend advanced academics based on the test scores. I submitted the full report but flagged that line specifically. GL.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! The report said DC is “well-suited” for advanced work. I wonder if that’s strong enough. This process feels very mysterious

[Anonymous]

I have heard anecdotally that it’s harder this year. Don’t worry too much. Your kid will be fine either way. I have two older in aap and my current second grader won’t be and I think she will do just as fine as the older two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard anecdotally that it’s harder this year. Don’t worry too much. Your kid will be fine either way. I have two older in aap and my current second grader won’t be and I think she will do just as fine as the older two.

Thank you, given the pressure cooker that is this area it’s a helpful reminder

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I would put in the WISC personally. Ask the teacher for samples if they said surprised. I am not really sure whether that fact reported by you would move the needle either way. Did the person who did the wisc write a report? Mine did - and in it, it said they recommend advanced academics based on the test scores. I submitted the full report but flagged that line specifically. GL.

Yes, the WISC is so critical especially to bolster your appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard anecdotally that it’s harder this year. Don’t worry too much. Your kid will be fine either way. I have two older in aap and my current second grader won’t be and I think she will do just as fine as the older two.

NP here. This year’s decisions aren't harder, they make absolutely no sense. Somehow, FCPS managed to make a complete disaster of the AAP admission process in the span of 2 short years.

[Anonymous]

OP- I know there’s been a backlash on this board regarding FCPS’s AAP equity initiatives but I should add that in my parent referral form, I mentioned that my DC reads and writes what I imagine is an under-represented language in AAP and they didn’t get in, so whatever equity initiative is in play didn’t benefit DC, despite what some posters might think. It’s all quite mysterious. It’s possible the scores just didn’t hit the mark for our school? 🤷‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard anecdotally that it’s harder this year. Don’t worry too much. Your kid will be fine either way. I have two older in aap and my current second grader won’t be and I think she will do just as fine as the older two.

NP here. This year’s decisions aren't harder, they make absolutely no sense. Somehow, FCPS managed to make a complete disaster of the AAP admission process in the span of 2 short years.

I think they should have to publicize the pool - at the local level now. Am I correct that they don’t do this? It’s too much nefarious potential otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- I know there’s been a backlash on this board regarding FCPS’s AAP equity initiatives but I should add that in my parent referral form, I mentioned that my DC reads and writes what I imagine is an under-represented language in AAP and they didn’t get in, so whatever equity initiative is in play didn’t benefit DC, despite what some posters might think. It’s all quite mysterious. It’s possible the scores just didn’t hit the mark for our school? 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think they care that we are Jewish for example. They have certain criteria of what they deem is under representation and I doubt it’s something you can self identify. Fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Write a cover letter and explain why your child’s needs can’t be met in the regular classroom. That is what they are looking for.

It doesn’t matter how smart your child is if the child is not having any problems in the regular classroom. They will keep that child in the regular classroom because their needs are already being met there. The child needs to be very bright, yes, and also exhibit behaviors that indicate that the regular classroom is not a comfortable place for them.

[Anonymous]

This is good advice but from what I’ve heard they don’t want to hear that the child is bored so it’s a tricky balance

[Anonymous]

Yes don’t say bored but good advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- I know there’s been a backlash on this board regarding FCPS’s AAP equity initiatives but I should add that in my parent referral form, I mentioned that my DC reads and writes what I imagine is an under-represented language in AAP and they didn’t get in, so whatever equity initiative is in play didn’t benefit DC, despite what some posters might think. It’s all quite mysterious. It’s possible the scores just didn’t hit the mark for our school? 🤷‍♀️

I don’t think they care that we are Jewish for example. They have certain criteria of what they deem is under representation and I doubt it’s something you can self identify. Fwiw.

I’m fairly certain it’s an underrepresented group but you’re right that we just don’t know what their criteria is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard anecdotally that it’s harder this year. Don’t worry too much. Your kid will be fine either way. I have two older in aap and my current second grader won’t be and I think she will do just as fine as the older two.

NP here. This year’s decisions aren't harder, they make absolutely no sense. Somehow, FCPS managed to make a complete disaster of the AAP admission process in the span of 2 short years.

DS was accepted 2 years ago and people were complaining about the process and who was accepted. The complaints happen every year regardless of the process. And yes, there were kids with high test scores not accepted then as well.