Clueless about Fairfax County public schools, and really need your help and guidance on GT programs

[Anonymous]

My kids (now 2nd grade and kindergarten) are now in a private school. I am contemplating putting them in the public school system in FC next year, (we are in McLean, VA to be exact) for a number of reasons.

Where do I even start? What advanced programs are there available in public schools in FC, and how do i make sure my kids get in there come next school year? Is there a test they need to take now or later, and if so, what are hte logistics of having that test administered to them?

Thank you SO much!

Clueless me

[Anonymous]

Read this:

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/gt/faqs.html

[Anonymous]

OP, please start to read all the threads here (related to GT center, AAP). you should be able to find all the info you need.

[Anonymous]

OP - we did what you are thinking of doing this past yr. We moved our 3 kids out of a private and the two oldest (K and 3rd) started in a public. We are also in McLean.

Our oldest started in the AAP program, and while the beginning was rocky (the public was academically much much harder than the private), he loves school and is being challenged for the first time. Our K student also loves school, although I was not thrilled that it is 1/2 day K. Last year our JK kid cried every day before school.

I believe it is too late to complete the application process for AAP from private. I think the deadline is next week, but if you have WISC results from applying to private you might still be able to gather the materials and make a timely submission. We did this last year - we decided at the end of Jan. to move the kids and got all the AAP stuff together (we had prior WISC IV results) in the space of a few days. Otherwise, you could apply in the fall and you will know if your DC is admitted to the AAP prgram before you have to return the enrollment contract for the 2012-13 school yr.

The only downside to public we have observed is class size. The AAP classes range from 20-28 kids, and the k class is 24 kids. The private class size was 15-18. But we didn't like that there were so few kids in each grade - it was too small of a peer group. Class size has not impacted our kids school experience yet, but we are open to going back to private for 1 or more of the kids if needed.

For what its worth, the move was the best thing we could have done for our kids.

[Anonymous]

^ this is a very good post, but no rush for this year is there?
You can get in anywhere along the line, 3d grade, 4th grade etc.
We went from private to AAP in 4th, and although DC was a bit behind for half a year (esp. in math), he has caught up now.

[Anonymous]

pp - you are right that you can apply to the AAP program at any time from 3rd grade on up to 8th, but once you are accepted you are in through 8th grade. Knowing your DC has been accepted to the AAP program may affect the decision to move to public.

[Anonymous]

The deadline for the 2011-2012 school year for AAP was 2/4. That includes kids transferring from private school. I believe you'll have to start in Sept 2011 in the general ed class and apply for AAP for the following school year.