Herndon middle vs Carson middle for Advanced Academics

[Anonymous]

Trying to decide between Carson and Herndon middle. Do both schools have same fulltime highest level of AAP to enroll in? DC is above average in academics and suggestions are to go with Carson, but is Herndon AAP equally good?

[Anonymous]

No, Carson has a much, much stronger AAP program.

[Anonymous]

Isn't AAP level 4 material the same across for all schools? what makes one school's AAP program stronger than another school's?

[Anonymous]

I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't AAP level 4 material the same across for all schools? what makes one school's AAP program stronger than another school's?

The size of the cohort, more kids at Carson mean more class offerings which makes it easier to get the various electives that you want. I think the biggest difference is the after school opportunities. Carson has academic clubs that I don't think Herndon has. You hae to test into clubs like MathCounts and Science Olympiad, they are competitive, but they are a great opportunity for kids who are interested.

I am not sure what school would give you the choice of Carson or Herndon MS, I don't know of any kids from Carson who attend Herndon HS. If I was moving to the area and choosing between those two MS I would choose Carson because it is a great MS but also because all of the high school options will be stronger then Herndon HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

Yes, mine is one of them. I just know that many of his friends go to RSM or AoPS or Kumon, etc. Usually the same kids that make some of the after school clubs so competitive to get into like Science Olympiad or Math Counts. They (their parents) want it on that TJ resume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

This is the environment we prefer. Better to be academic focused and than anything else. The middle school in our current pyramid has attendance issues, disruptive classroom environments, no school clubs - academic or nonacademic, lacks parent involvement in ptsa, and teacher turnover is high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

Yes, mine is one of them. I just know that many of his friends go to RSM or AoPS or Kumon, etc. Usually the same kids that make some of the after school clubs so competitive to get into like Science Olympiad or Math Counts. They (their parents) want it on that TJ resume.

That’s nowhere near as competitive. Making it to Science Olympiad or Math Counts team isn’t nearly as competitive as being one of the five players on a school sport team. Doing Kumon worksheets doesn’t even compare to the commitment of joining travel leagues, attending practices, individual training sessions, and weekend games for sports like soccer or basketball. The effort required and the parental commitment needed to get an athletic scholarship far exceeds that of getting admitted to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

Yes, mine is one of them. I just know that many of his friends go to RSM or AoPS or Kumon, etc. Usually the same kids that make some of the after school clubs so competitive to get into like Science Olympiad or Math Counts. They (their parents) want it on that TJ resume.

In fairness, my kid goes to RSM and participates in Math Competitions, not because I want it on his resume but because he loves it. He has enjoyed math competitions since 4th grade and has participated on several different teams, through RSM and school. He participates in over 10 competitions a year. Each one is his choice.

And yes, that is what makes the teams competitive. Part of the reason parents choose Carson as a Center is because their kids who enjoy math competitions and the like will know other kids who enjoy the same thing. I am sure that some of the kids are doing it because their parents want them to but a large percentage are doing it because they like it. Most of my kids' friends think that he is a bit crazy and he is fine with that. None of them particiapted in enrichment and are doing great in AAp or Honors, almost all of them are taking Algebra 1 H, a few choose Math 7H. The school is a good mix of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

Yes, mine is one of them. I just know that many of his friends go to RSM or AoPS or Kumon, etc. Usually the same kids that make some of the after school clubs so competitive to get into like Science Olympiad or Math Counts. They (their parents) want it on that TJ resume.

Your child thrives in the rich academic environment which is result of kids hard work and their responsible parents. Instead of showing gratitude, you envy them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an AAP student at Carson this year and I met all their teachers before the school year. Every single one had 10-20 years experience teaching AAP at Carson. I find it hard to believe you get that kind of stability at most schools (but I can't speak for Herndon MS). Our elementary school certainly didn't.
Carson is an AAP center so it draws AAP kids from outside its boundary. They have so many they can offer multiple instances of most all AAP classes, which allows your student to more easily fit in the other electives they may want. It also had a reputation of being a TJ feeder school (more so before the TJ admission changes) so you have a lot of "tiger mom" families that specifically chose to go there. There is a much higher percentage of involved families who push their kids to do well. A lot of test-prepped and highly tutored kids too to make sure they made it into AAP and then to try to get into TJ. That may or may not be a good thing, just stating what I know first hand.

There are also a lot of kids who are not prepped at Carson who are smart and enjoy the Honors or AAP selections at the school.

Yes, mine is one of them. I just know that many of his friends go to RSM or AoPS or Kumon, etc. Usually the same kids that make some of the after school clubs so competitive to get into like Science Olympiad or Math Counts. They (their parents) want it on that TJ resume.

Your child thrives in the rich academic environment which is result of kids hard work and their responsible parents. Instead of showing gratitude, you envy them?

I don't see where you get envy from what I posted. My child has straight A's at Carson and does the activities he chooses, no pressure from me because none is needed. I have mutual respect for the other responsible parents who make sure their kids are academic-minded, although that's what parents are supposed to do and shouldn't be the exception requiring some type of gratitude. Definitely no need for envy either. I know I am a lucky parent whose child is excelling without any outside tutoring or undue pressure. Travel sports have me driving all over the place already. I'm thankful I don't have to give up what little free time is left to drive to RSM and the like.

[Anonymous]

On the other hand, your academically excellent child will be one of the BEST at Herndon, while they were be merely average at Carson. Similarly, your child can into any enrichment activity or elective they want at Herndon, whereas it's wildly competitive at Carson. Thankful that my Carson child is non-AAP and a theatre/art kid. Less competition there, LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the other hand, your academically excellent child will be one of the BEST at Herndon, while they were be merely average at Carson. Similarly, your child can into any enrichment activity or elective they want at Herndon, whereas it's wildly competitive at Carson. Thankful that my Carson child is non-AAP and a theatre/art kid. Less competition there, LOL!

Herndon MS after school program is best described as anemic. There are no academic clubs, no MathCounts or Science Olympiad, not even Science Bowl. You are good if you like D&D and Magic the Gathering or want to be in the spring musical.

https://herndonms.fcps.edu/activities/night-hawk-afterschool-program

Carson has more clubs offered most days of the week then Herndon has over the course of the week. Carson has Debate, MUN, MathCounts, Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, Mock Trials, Reading Clubs, 3d Printing and a lot more. And there are the sports clubs and baking club and other more fun clubs.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZQcqXtCaYDI6GeT4XSaWkLuyrWmfgwNN/edit?tab=t.0

[Anonymous]

The only reason for picking Herndon MS over Carson would be to improve odds of getting into TJ. For all other purposes, Carson beats Herndon hands down.