Colvin Run Elementary School

[Anonymous]

I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

I had 2 DS’s in a similar school and had the exact same experience until 6th grade. The 6th grade team was amazing for everyone, but if you’ were in Gen Ed before that, you had to hope for one or two of the really strong teachers among ALL the grade 3, 4 and 5 teachers. The others’ standards were quite low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Interesting. I had three gen ed kids at CRES (one currently in 3rd) and the older two managed to take accelerated math there, Algebra HN in middle school, and are acing high school maths now. While I cannot compare their experiences to those in AAP, they have not been left behind and are alongside their peers in high school. I do know that AAP students get a lot more homework, but is that really helping their understanding more than the gen ed kids (who perhaps need more time) when they all seem to even out in high school? I consider gen ed a blessing in may ways, as I think increased pressure would hamper their (or at least my kids') learning. I guess I consider this experience like the tortoises and the hares (my kids being the tortoises).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

NP. 100% agree with all of this. You can see the clear difference when the students showcase their class projects to parents. It’s obvious who’s in aap and who’s not. The expectation for gen-ed students is low to none. Kids rise to what’s expected of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Interesting. I had three gen ed kids at CRES (one currently in 3rd) and the older two managed to take accelerated math there, Algebra HN in middle school, and are acing high school maths now. While I cannot compare their experiences to those in AAP, they have not been left behind and are alongside their peers in high school. I do know that AAP students get a lot more homework, but is that really helping their understanding more than the gen ed kids (who perhaps need more time) when they all seem to even out in high school? I consider gen ed a blessing in may ways, as I think increased pressure would hamper their (or at least my kids') learning. I guess I consider this experience like the tortoises and the hares (my kids being the tortoises).

You're far too reasonable for this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

Yes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

Yes!

Isn't this the school where the Great Falls residents moaned for years about having to send their kids to a school on the other side of Route 7 (gasp, Vienna)?

No dog in this fight, but I read the thread with bemusement. You people live up to expectations. Especially love how the rabid anti-Colvin Run poster always has to have the last (negative) word about the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

Yes!

Isn't this the school where the Great Falls residents moaned for years about having to send their kids to a school on the other side of Route 7 (gasp, Vienna)?

No dog in this fight, but I read the thread with bemusement. You people live up to expectations. Especially love how the rabid anti-Colvin Run poster always has to have the last (negative) word about the place.

It's funny that you think there's only one anti-Colvin Run poster. Cute, really. According to you, you don't even have kids who attend this school. Which begs the question, why are you on this thread? You have no clue what goes on at CRES, so your opinion is completely irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 children at CRES. When my older AAP DS was in 3rd and my younger DS was in K, I thought the school was the best thing since sliced bread. I would tell everyone how wonderful everything was about the school. When my younger DS didn't get into AAP in 2nd grade, I was ok with it because, while he was a strong student overall, math wasn't as effortless to him as it was for older DS. Well, when gen ed 3rd grade rolled around, I couldn't believe how dumbed down his experience was compared to his older brother's 3rd grade experience and how little was expected of him. I felt like he was being jipped of a decent education and felt bad everyday that year for him. I felt like a bad mom for putting him in that situation. He was capable of so much more, but the administration seems to think gen ed means remedial and doesn't care to address many parents' concerns. We ended up moving out of state that summer, but I must say this poor educational experience played a part in our decision to move. There's something seriously wrong with this school, or maybe it's FCPS, I'm not sure which one.

Completely agree. It also boggles my mind that you can't have a student in AAP if they're not strong in math - but if they struggle in English, it's apparently no problem! Makes no sense at all. There has to be a better way than this black or white, AAP or Gen Ed system. Too many kids overlap and are strong in some subjects but not in all. It shouldn't be one group or the other, period, end of story.

Yes!

Isn't this the school where the Great Falls residents moaned for years about having to send their kids to a school on the other side of Route 7 (gasp, Vienna)?

No dog in this fight, but I read the thread with bemusement. You people live up to expectations. Especially love how the rabid anti-Colvin Run poster always has to have the last (negative) word about the place.

It's funny that you think there's only one anti-Colvin Run poster. Cute, really. According to you, you don't even have kids who attend this school. Which begs the question, why are you on this thread? You have no clue what goes on at CRES, so your opinion is completely irrelevant.

LOL. Thanks for proving the point!

[Anonymous]

NP, why are all these aap classes filled to the brim the Asian kids when its supposed to be “gifted” kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP, why are all these aap classes filled to the brim the Asian kids when its supposed to be “gifted” kids?

They achieve the needed test scores on the NNAT and CogAT and so are in pool. Their classwork is good enough and they get the GBRS. Start a new topic if you want to explore the why, which is a different question and not really a fit for this topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP, why are all these aap classes filled to the brim the Asian kids when its supposed to be “gifted” kids?

Because Asian kids are gifted, except for the ones who aren't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP, why are all these aap classes filled to the brim the Asian kids when its supposed to be “gifted” kids?

They achieve the needed test scores on the NNAT and CogAT and so are in pool. Their classwork is good enough and they get the GBRS. Start a new topic if you want to explore the why, which is a different question and not really a fit for this topic.

Hi, I’m the poster asking about mostly Asians getting into aap. I posted here because I’m a parent at Colvin Run and volunteer a lot so I get to know all the kids. It’s clear the majority get into aap, which we all already know because they study for those tests as you mentioned. For example, I saw in one 3rd grade class all the kids are Asian except for 2 kids. However, I’ll be honest. I don’t see any difference or signs of “giftedness” between the aap and gen ed kids at the school. Is this specific to Colvin Run or are all the center schools like this where if you prep for the nnat and cogat and in the pool you get in? Are all the centers school filled mainly with aap kids who just had pushy parents? I’m considering moving which is why I ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP, why are all these aap classes filled to the brim the Asian kids when its supposed to be “gifted” kids?

They achieve the needed test scores on the NNAT and CogAT and so are in pool. Their classwork is good enough and they get the GBRS. Start a new topic if you want to explore the why, which is a different question and not really a fit for this topic.

Hi, I’m the poster asking about mostly Asians getting into aap. I posted here because I’m a parent at Colvin Run and volunteer a lot so I get to know all the kids. It’s clear the majority get into aap, which we all already know because they study for those tests as you mentioned. For example, I saw in one 3rd grade class all the kids are Asian except for 2 kids. However, I’ll be honest. I don’t see any difference or signs of “giftedness” between the aap and gen ed kids at the school. Is this specific to Colvin Run or are all the center schools like this where if you prep for the nnat and cogat and in the pool you get in? Are all the centers school filled mainly with aap kids who just had pushy parents? I’m considering moving which is why I ask.

I'm not sure that there's a visible or obvious difference between 3rd grade gen ed and aap at our non-CRES center school but neither aap nor gen ed is all Asian, at our school. Both gen ed and aap classes include white, Asian, black and Hispanic students, in varying amounts.