AAP vs. private
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Anonymous
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Does anyone have experience with both DC privates and AAP in ES and/or MS? DC is bright and motivated -- and currently bored in a private. Is it worth exploring switching to AAP (specifically, Haycock/Longfellow)? What is the level of academic challenge for AAP vs privates? What are peers like academically for an AAP vs. private? I'm especially interested in the second question of whether DC would be around more peers that challenge DC at an AAP. I don't want to be more specific so will not name the private, but if you feel that one private may be a better fit than others, that would be helpful too.
Thanks for any help or experience that an anonymous stranger can provide! I would greatly appreciate it! |
Anonymous
| I can't speak specifically to how each compares but I would suggest you understand the process for applying to AAP from a private. It strongly favors students already in FCPS. We looked into it for the same reasons but did not end up applying for AAP. We switched to a private that adequately challenges DC. It does not seem DC would have been challenged similarly in AAP, based on what their friends tell us. |
Anonymous
Former AAP family now at private and I can tell you the perception of whether the process favors public or private school kids swings like a pendulum from year to year. Pre-pandemic it was always rumored that they didn't like kids from private. Post-pandemic as the numbers in FCPS declined there was a strong sense (backed up by anecdotal admissions evidence) that FCPS was actually more likely to take kids from private because they wanted to lure families back to FCPS. Last year's AAP admissions cycle I didn't see much. And to the OP - if you do decide to apply to AAP treat it with the same level of rigor you'd treat a private school application. Research the HOPE rating scale AND the old GBRS scale and make sure you factor those things into all parent commentary. Make sure whoever from your school is filling out the school's part of the packet is helpful and also fully aware of what FCPS is looking for - a kid with a demonstrated need for acceleration across the board by HOPE and GBRS. Make sure all work samples show in-depth thinking and are not just advanced worksheets. If possible attend an AART presentation on level IV at Haycock or your local zoned ES - you can sign up for a newsletter to get the dates. Last year at our public ES's level IV presentation there was at least one private school family in attendance. Know that the HOPE scale is the defining factor in admission, ability test scores being equal. |
Anonymous
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We switched from private to AAP in 3rd grade. I figured if he was going to be bored, he might as well be bored for free vs. $30k+ per year. That tuition money pays for a lot of enrichment activities.
It's definitely more challenging than his private was, but not difficult by any means. It's helping him become more independent and a stronger self advocate (in his private school class of 10 the teacher always had eyes on him, in public class of 30 he has to ask when he needs something). IMO that's a pretty good life skill. |
Anonymous
| Private is so much better. AAP is the exact same thing as general education except math. Your child will still have the "2E" kids which is code for emotionally disturbed who just happen to be smart. |
Anonymous
Enrichment activities are a huge time suck opportunity cost, if you can already get some of that during school hours. Time with family, friends, sleep is a priceless currency in our house and likely other families too. |
Anonymous
Wow. Your description of 2E is really offensive. |
Anonymous
Right. A lot of opportunity costs covered in Private. Everyone’s situation is different. My kid was an AAP center which had a lot of politics and BS. Best thing would could have ever done was move her. Now she’s much more comfortable. |
Anonymous
We have one child who went through Haycock and Longfellow in AAP and is not at McLean and another child with similar abilities but different personality who we moved to private. Haycock AAP was great overall for our child who went there, although I've heard it's been watered down since that time so definitely ask around. At Longfellow, there really is no AAP program anymore. My AAP kid took all Honors at Longfellow, which is open to all kids and is pretty basic. It was fine, but not as engaging as Haycock AAP (for example, at Haycock in addition to having advanced math, they did Latin stems, read Junior Greats and Shakespeare, and did lots of interesting projects (engineered "roller coasters", completed in National History Day, etc.)). The teachers at Longfellow are strong though -- lots of experience, related to the kids, etc. Math instruction in particular was great. And there are a lot of after school options -- competitions like Science Olympiad and Debate team and activities just for fun like sports, arts, etc. |
Anonymous
Not sure if it's VDOE's changes to the math standards or an FCPS decision or both, but posters over on the AAP forum are reporting that advanced math standards cover a lot less than in prior years. My kids are no longer in FCPS AAP so I can't vouch for that. |
Anonymous
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Our kids have stayed at FCPS through Haycock and Longfellow, although we keep considering private options. They all take the most advanced AAP/Honors classes possible.
It's honestly been hit-or-miss depending on the teachers, but in terms of material covered, their math and science is more advanced than the fastest they could have gone in the private schools around us. I'd say "AAP" was not challenging for them in 3rd, 4th or 7th grade. Moderately challenging in 6th grade. Very challenging in 5th and 8th grade. But that depended on the particular teaching teams, and the current 5th grade set-up at Haycock seems much easier (worse?) than it used to be. We talk a lot with other parents but have no actual private school experience around here. I think the big advantages in privates are the smaller class sizes and more individualized attention; beyond that, it depends on specific teachers. By 8th grade, my impression is that the level of the students is higher at Longfellow in the top math track (Algebra 2) than at any area private, just because they are drawing from a huge, motivated pool and no one has switched over to TJ yet. |
Anonymous
Quoting myself here: a few posters in the AAP forum did the research and indeed FCPS's advanced math standards have been substantially watered down for school year 2024-2025, at least in 3rd grade, from what they were in prior years. |
Anonymous
That is not remotely what 2e means. And private schools all have 2e kids as well — mostly gifted kids with ADHD and/or learning differences like dyslexia. No, private schools do not typically have “emotionally disturbed kids” or kids with behavioral issues (unless they are private schools specifically for those student populations). -Mom of 2e gifted/dyslexic kid |
Anonymous
+1 |