What’s the big fuss about AAP?

[Anonymous]

Seriously. AAP isn’t that prestigious. AAP is basically honors level classes renamed for people who do well on the CogAD. My DC failed to get into AAP, did HN level classes, and still got into AP level classes in their freshman year. AAP won’t help you get into colleges; unless your child wants to mention going all the way back to your elementary and middle school path. Also, the HN coursework is very similar to AAP itself.

[Anonymous]

I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.

[Anonymous]

Sour grapes

[Anonymous]

My child was incredibly bored in school - now they're only half bored. That's a boon. It's also been a huge improvement socially to be with more kids with similar interests. I'm not worried about accolades or a college path, I just want a happier kid at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.

How would you even know this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was incredibly bored in school - now they're only half bored. That's a boon. It's also been a huge improvement socially to be with more kids with similar interests. I'm not worried about accolades or a college path, I just want a happier kid at school.

I’m so sick of hearing “My kid is bored…” We set them up to need entertainment all day long. We’re shoving snacks, video games, movies at them all day. We schedule weekends to include special art classes, music groups, travel fill-in-the-blank sport. God forbid your kid has to just look out the window when on a long car ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.

How would you even know this?

Simple. Last year there were 2 gen ed classes and 2 aap classes in my child's grade. 12.xx% of the grade failed the SOL per recently released statistics. Made the assumption few to none of aap failed. 12% of 50% is 24%, or 1/4.

[Anonymous]

Parent of a 3rd grader so I’ve only been an AAP parent for 2 weeks fwiw.

I too, wondered what the big fuss was about when helping DC apply. I questioned the annoying process but I didn’t trust that DC would get in if I “left it alone” even though they got in-pool. I also didn’t feel great about center schools taking all the top kids in each school.

But after 2 weeks at this Center school? Now I totally get it. It is better than the base school. My kid is incredibly happy. They’re already coming home with quality work in the weekly folders in week 2. The friends they’re meeting seem like great kids (from what DC tells me) and again, DC is so freaking happy.

It was very much worth trying to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a 3rd grader so I’ve only been an AAP parent for 2 weeks fwiw.

I too, wondered what the big fuss was about when helping DC apply. I questioned the annoying process but I didn’t trust that DC would get in if I “left it alone” even though they got in-pool. I also didn’t feel great about center schools taking all the top kids in each school.

But after 2 weeks at this Center school? Now I totally get it. It is better than the base school. My kid is incredibly happy. They’re already coming home with quality work in the weekly folders in week 2. The friends they’re meeting seem like great kids (from what DC tells me) and again, DC is so freaking happy.

It was very much worth trying to get in.

yep. our experience as well. its the best education FCPS provides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.

How would you even know this?

Simple. Last year there were 2 gen ed classes and 2 aap classes in my child's grade. 12.xx% of the grade failed the SOL per recently released statistics. Made the assumption few to none of aap failed. 12% of 50% is 24%, or 1/4.

Oh, there are absolutely kids in aap who don't pass their sols

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child was incredibly bored in school - now they're only half bored. That's a boon. It's also been a huge improvement socially to be with more kids with similar interests. I'm not worried about accolades or a college path, I just want a happier kid at school.

I’m so sick of hearing “My kid is bored…” We set them up to need entertainment all day long. We’re shoving snacks, video games, movies at them all day. We schedule weekends to include special art classes, music groups, travel fill-in-the-blank sport. God forbid your kid has to just look out the window when on a long car ride.

Agree completely! The boredom thing is such an overrated “gifted” trait. Too many parents use it as a trait of high intellect so people can assume their kid is soooo much smarter than everyone else. If your kid is soooo bored and soooo smart, why don’t they just do something that is actually a trait of high intellect like pick up an old English book, learn a foreign language, compose a song, or solve a new math theorem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child was incredibly bored in school - now they're only half bored. That's a boon. It's also been a huge improvement socially to be with more kids with similar interests. I'm not worried about accolades or a college path, I just want a happier kid at school.

I’m so sick of hearing “My kid is bored…” We set them up to need entertainment all day long. We’re shoving snacks, video games, movies at them all day. We schedule weekends to include special art classes, music groups, travel fill-in-the-blank sport. God forbid your kid has to just look out the window when on a long car ride.

Agree completely! The boredom thing is such an overrated “gifted” trait. Too many parents use it as a trait of high intellect so people can assume their kid is soooo much smarter than everyone else. If your kid is soooo bored and soooo smart, why don’t they just do something that is actually a trait of high intellect like pick up an old English book, learn a foreign language, compose a song, or solve a new math theorem?

For my third grader it isn't about the boredom as much as learning ' how to do school '. When dc feels like the content is slow and repetitive dc stops paying attention and doesn't do the work. Dc sees no purpose in it....
I would love to have DC in an environment where the y feel like they have to pay attention to keep up

[Anonymous]

The AAP game; AAP is almost a prep class for standardized exams; which gets you into: Algebra(or Pre) in 6th grade which then lines you up for College level Math in HS.

For TJ the harder problems used to help with the TJ application. The extra writing feedback still gives an edge.

Can you do without? yes. But it's like getting coached and play competitive Basketball starting at age 8 in order to play HS basketball vs doing it on your own.

Even Terence Tao will take time to transition from remedial math to AAP or TJ Math.

If you don't prep (even beyond FCPS) - prepare for an uphill game. One that the kid's determination and the parent's perseverance will be tested.

Oh - if the kid doesn't want to do it; they will be bored in AAP as well.

No - I'm not a striver; My education started a year after I got my college degree. I continued read since then and finally discovered what I was being taught threw a fire hose. So - if kids don't get it now - it's OK. It's how you finish in the long run just not with the ritzy timeline we all dream about.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s about status and clout chasing.

Plenty of mediocre kids everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.