For those who got in on appeal last year (2025)

[Anonymous]

What did you do that you think was the difference maker?

We don't have our packet yet, but I think it might be HOPE related so any advice related how to combat a bad/mediocre score would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

We tried to appeal last year but she still didn't get in. We did the WISC V and she got a 136. I think it was the HOPE and maybe work samples. She just got in this year as a 3rd grader...HOPE looked completely different this year. Different teachers and different AART. She was qualified as part time and placed in full time (our principals were open to thoughts when they were working on class placement for the following year...around May...I suggested perhaps she could be considered to fill in the the spots open in the full time class as we have a local full time class...and they did).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We tried to appeal last year but she still didn't get in. We did the WISC V and she got a 136. I think it was the HOPE and maybe work samples. She just got in this year as a 3rd grader...HOPE looked completely different this year. Different teachers and different AART. She was qualified as part time and placed in full time (our principals were open to thoughts when they were working on class placement for the following year...around May...I suggested perhaps she could be considered to fill in the the spots open in the full time class as we have a local full time class...and they did).

Did you submit any additional testing this year? Like another WISC, Cogat or NGAT?

[Anonymous]

Not the previous poster, but we didn't submit new scores...having just received the packet the only difference I see is in the HOPE score...which is ridiculous how subjective it is from teacher to teacher!

[Anonymous]

We appealed last year in 2nd grade and got in. We did WISC V, she scored 125. Submitted some new work samples provided by her AART teacher. In the letter, I wrote about discrepancy between the report cards, test results and the HOPE score. In a kind way I explained why the HOPE score did not make any sense. I also mentioned that she was in pre-AAP in 1st and 2nd grade for both math and language arts and I wrote why I think it would be beneficial for her to stay with the same group of kids. I mentioned the books she read and some anecdotes from the school. Looking back, I don’t think the WISC V was necessary. If the same happens to my younger next year, I will not do the testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried to appeal last year but she still didn't get in. We did the WISC V and she got a 136. I think it was the HOPE and maybe work samples. She just got in this year as a 3rd grader...HOPE looked completely different this year. Different teachers and different AART. She was qualified as part time and placed in full time (our principals were open to thoughts when they were working on class placement for the following year...around May...I suggested perhaps she could be considered to fill in the the spots open in the full time class as we have a local full time class...and they did).

Did you submit any additional testing this year? Like another WISC, Cogat or NGAT?

No new testing for this year. Had the WISC V scored on there from last April, so it was with everything, whereas last year was just in the appeal. I think work samples were better. Also, they're looking at the group from your school together, so id imagine there are much fewer 3rd graders than 2nd graders to compare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We appealed last year in 2nd grade and got in. We did WISC V, she scored 125. Submitted some new work samples provided by her AART teacher. In the letter, I wrote about discrepancy between the report cards, test results and the HOPE score. In a kind way I explained why the HOPE score did not make any sense. I also mentioned that she was in pre-AAP in 1st and 2nd grade for both math and language arts and I wrote why I think it would be beneficial for her to stay with the same group of kids. I mentioned the books she read and some anecdotes from the school. Looking back, I don’t think the WISC V was necessary. If the same happens to my younger next year, I will not do the testing.

I'm the previous poster who's kid just got in as a 3rd grader but not on appeal in 2nd. Work samples were an issue in 2nd I think...and the frustrating part, reading your post, is that the AART back then literally told me (I just looked back at her email), that the local school is not allowed to be involved in an appeal...including helping get work samples (i had asked if she had any left over for the appeal). Oy

[Anonymous]

We got in on appeal last year. Got the packet from school that the AART submitted and it was practically blank. Work samples that the school submitted was kindergarten work. I was appalled and saddened that my child’s application was submitted this way. We submitted additional work samples and got in. No new testing but NNAT was 99%ile w CoGat was 96%ile

[Anonymous]

What type of work samples do you think helped the most?

[Anonymous]

Who knows? We did a copy of a funny letter child wrote to a family member. Higher level math problems. So a math and language sample

[Anonymous]

anyone else struggling to find examples for the appeal?

[Anonymous]

We just submitted our appeal packet.

Does anyone know what the turnaround is? Do they wait until May 1 and then meet again, or is it on a rolling basis?

I wish there was more transparency with the process, hence why this blog exists!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just submitted our appeal packet.

Does anyone know what the turnaround is? Do they wait until May 1 and then meet again, or is it on a rolling basis?

I wish there was more transparency with the process, hence why this blog exists!

Appeals are not communicated on a rolling basis. You’ll get a confirmation email at some point after your submission and it’ll give a date when they release appeals decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just submitted our appeal packet.

Appeals are not communicated on a rolling basis. You’ll get a confirmation email at some point after your submission and it’ll give a date when they release appeals decisions.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We appealed last year in 2nd grade and got in. We did WISC V, she scored 125. Submitted some new work samples provided by her AART teacher. In the letter, I wrote about discrepancy between the report cards, test results and the HOPE score. In a kind way I explained why the HOPE score did not make any sense. I also mentioned that she was in pre-AAP in 1st and 2nd grade for both math and language arts and I wrote why I think it would be beneficial for her to stay with the same group of kids. I mentioned the books she read and some anecdotes from the school. Looking back, I don’t think the WISC V was necessary. If the same happens to my younger next year, I will not do the testing.

This is so helpful, thank you. We just appealed for our second grader and our cover letter was largely based on the discrepancy between her report cards/test scores/work samples (all high/good quality) and her HOPE score (which indicated that she is advanced in every AAP subject, but only gave her "Often" and a few "Almost Always" scores). We didn't do any outside testing, but her teacher sent home some work samples we felt were better than the beginning of the year ones that were submitted with her original portfolio, so we submitted those too. We'll see how it goes.