Moving from ACPS for 6th grade

[Anonymous]

Has anyone moved to FCPS from ACPS past elementary school? Are the differences in academics really that big?I’d love to hear from anyone with direct experience in both school districts for later grades.

We are zoned for GW middle school, and I’ve heard that while a good education can be had there, FCPS is better. Is it really, or are people basing this on overall school test scores (which includes lots of kids who have less support at home, are english learners, dealing with poverty, etc. in ACPS)? I have an academically inclined kiddo (mostly math/science, but he is in AAS for all subjects) with mild anxiety, and I’m trying to figure out what’s best for him. He has a good friend group here, and is excited that GW has a robotics club, but we have been underwhelmed by the local elementary school academics and the disfunction of the ACPS administration in general, and there are definitely holes in his knowledge due to the school.

[Anonymous]

OP here again…also interested in safety. If it matters, our housing search is currently centered around West Springfield, Lake Braddock and Robinson areas, but we may also look at neighborhoods further east in Springfield due to commutes.

[Anonymous]

So your kid will be in elementary school for 6th grade if they move to FCPS. It will be an easy year for them compared to going to middle school in ACPS. I’ve taught in both districts, as well as DCPS, and I think you are making a good move avoiding ACPS middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Do you think the academics are taught differently between the 2 districts, or is it more the social dynamics that make you say it will be an easier year? He is pretty excited to finish ES, so I think he will be disappointed not to start MS yet in FCPS, but if we are going to move it needs to be now (lease is up, looking to buy rather than light another year of rent on fire).

[Anonymous]

Academics are taught differently in 6th grade. Especially electives and science and social studies. In FCPS these things will look and feel elementary and there will be less rigor compared to ACPS where you child will have a science teacher and a social studies teacher instead of their homeroom teacher doing the lessons.

[Anonymous]

6th grade is elementary school in FCPS. It will be less demanding than APS middle school I would imagine. But overall I do not think there is a significant difference between APS 7th and FCPS 7th. If your kid has friends and is happy, don't move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6th grade is elementary school in FCPS. It will be less demanding than APS middle school I would imagine. But overall I do not think there is a significant difference between APS 7th and FCPS 7th. If your kid has friends and is happy, don't move.

OP is talking about ACPS (Alexandria City schools) not APS (Arlington schools).

[Anonymous]

We moved ACPS to FCPS between 6th and 7th. We had a great experience in ACPS elementary, but one year of GW was enough for me. My student had some excellent teachers at GW (and one who just stopped coming at one point) and made some great friends, but after a few administrative issues and other ACPS dysfunction, I was done. No regrets. None. It was the right move for us. The only academic issue was she went from 6th grade Honors math in ACPS to 7th grade Honors math in FCPS, which apparently is equivalent to 8th grade Honors math in ACPS so she skipped a year of math. I was worried about leaving friends behind and making new friends, but since everyone was new to the middle school in 7th grade, there was a lot of mixing of kids and new friend groups were formed. It wasn't an issue at all. Can't speak to moving before 6th and joining in the last year of elementary.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!