Hunter Woods AAP vs. Waples Mill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We decided to stay at Waples and are doing the advanced math at the base school. The long commute and social aspect of things weren’t worth it for us.

What do you mean by "social aspect?" Is this code for race/income groups or do you mean something else?

I assume it means "I want my kid to go to the same school as the other kids in our neighborhood." That isn't "code" for anything . . .

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread back to the top.

Our DC is a second grader at Waples Mill and was found eligible for Level IV services. Unfortunately, Waples Mill doesn’t have a local Level IV option; so, we need to decide whether to move DC to Hunters Woods or stay at Waples.

Does anyone have recent feedback on Level III services at Waples Mill? The AART is new this year so I am curious about how she has updated implementation of the program. Also, does Level II/Advanced Math begin in fifth grade or third grade?

For those who switched to Hunters Woods, did the school do a good job helping kids transition to a new environment? Any recent feedback on the school and AAP program? In prior years, when was the orientation scheduled?

[Anonymous]

Two of my children were eligible for the Advanced Academic Program (AAP). Their base school is WM, however, we decided to have all of them attend HW for convenience.

From a parent's perspective, we've had a great experience with HW's administration. The principal and assistant principal have been very responsive to any issues we've had, and we've joked that HW is more suitable for our family, poor and without privilege, while WM is more for the upper class and with privilege. Their AAP teachers are amazing. Classmates are highly motivated. My youngest one is in 1st grade, the teacher is incredible (the best teacher I ever met). The down side is commuting. They usually come home at 5pm while classes are dismissed at 3.30pm. With one extra curriculum activity right after 5pm, they literally have no time left before sleep.

From my children's perspective, classmates are great but learn like crazy (???). Kids outside of their classes are much meaner (they share special classes with gened kids) than their friends at WM. Teachers are nice but stricter, not as relaxed as the ones in WM. A lot of school works (understandable because they started HW from 3rd grade, a milestone where real learning happens). The commute is too long. Generally, two younger ones like WM better.

[Anonymous]

We have the same question. Are having a tough time making a decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two of my children were eligible for the Advanced Academic Program (AAP). Their base school is WM, however, we decided to have all of them attend HW for convenience.

From a parent's perspective, we've had a great experience with HW's administration. The principal and assistant principal have been very responsive to any issues we've had, and we've joked that HW is more suitable for our family, poor and without privilege, while WM is more for the upper class and with privilege. Their AAP teachers are amazing. Classmates are highly motivated. My youngest one is in 1st grade, the teacher is incredible (the best teacher I ever met). The down side is commuting. They usually come home at 5pm while classes are dismissed at 3.30pm. With one extra curriculum activity right after 5pm, they literally have no time left before sleep.

From my children's perspective, classmates are great but learn like crazy (???). Kids outside of their classes are much meaner (they share special classes with gened kids) than their friends at WM. Teachers are nice but stricter, not as relaxed as the ones in WM. A lot of school works (understandable because they started HW from 3rd grade, a milestone where real learning happens). The commute is too long. Generally, two younger ones like WM better.

Thank you! This is helpful information. Do your kids ride the school bus? About how large are the AAP classes, and are they mostly filled with kids from Waples Mill?