APS Middle School Honors Program and Academic Over All

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

What? Why isn’t there budget for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

Join your PTA and find out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

It’s up to admin/student/parent interest. Not all APS high schools have intramurals either.
Another option through the county: there is rec league basketball that is no cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

It’s up to admin/student/parent interest. Not all APS high schools have intramurals either.
Another option through the county: there is rec league basketball that is no cut.

That's delightful but for working parents having activities at school rather than driving to some random rec league is a completely different commitment.

I wish they spent less money on tablets and offered more afterschool sports accessible to all students, not just those who started travel in 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

It’s up to admin/student/parent interest. Not all APS high schools have intramurals either.
Another option through the county: there is rec league basketball that is no cut.

That's delightful but for working parents having activities at school rather than driving to some random rec league is a completely different commitment.

I wish they spent less money on tablets and offered more afterschool sports accessible to all students, not just those who started travel in 3rd grade.

Then get involved and demand change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

I think they do. Dhms does have them— pp was wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

It’s up to admin/student/parent interest. Not all APS high schools have intramurals either.
Another option through the county: there is rec league basketball that is no cut.

That's delightful but for working parents having activities at school rather than driving to some random rec league is a completely different commitment.

I wish they spent less money on tablets and offered more afterschool sports accessible to all students, not just those who started travel in 3rd grade.

Rec is not random, it’s run through Arlington County and students are grouped by their school. It’s how most kids try out any new sport. That’s how most of us tried out sports when we were kids! This is such a bizarre thing to be worked up over. By Middle school your kid can pick up a racket and go play with a friend on their own. Additionally, over on the Fairfax County page parents are saying their kids don’t even get outdoor PE in middle school it’s more of a study hall. Our kids in middle school PE are exposed to many different sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is getting more intensified classes this year or next, but they are opt-in and not test-in, although I think that it will be similar to math where a recommendation is made.

My child is going into 6th, so no experience yet. If you think you’ll go private for HS, I’d just stay at Langley and supplement where you see holes.

No we aren’t committed to private for HS, will depend on MS experience.

Also curious about middle school sports, seems like many are cut sports? What if a kid just wants to try something like tennis?

Then you sign him up for a rec program. MS sports are unique to APS- as FCPS doesnt have them. APS sports are competitive, including tennis.

What? My middle school had all sorts of sports program to let people try things before competition of high school

Your middle school like 30 years ago? Or your kids current APS middle? APS MS soccer, basketball, tennis and wrestling are all tryout teams. There are intramurals to play for fun. Or frisbee, track, dive are no cut. There is no MS baseball, football, field hockey or volleyball.

What intramurals, we didn’t have them at DHMS.

WMS has them 3x week. They vary.

https://williamsburg.apsva.us/virtual-clubs/intramurals/

Why don’t all middles schools have intramurals?

Teacher/staff availability like all clubs. They are volunteering their time.

So none of the staff has volunteered for intramurals? Can a parent start an intramural? Or raise funds to hire a coach?

It’s up to admin/student/parent interest. Not all APS high schools have intramurals either.
Another option through the county: there is rec league basketball that is no cut.

That's delightful but for working parents having activities at school rather than driving to some random rec league is a completely different commitment.

I wish they spent less money on tablets and offered more afterschool sports accessible to all students, not just those who started travel in 3rd grade.

Rec is not random, it’s run through Arlington County and students are grouped by their school. It’s how most kids try out any new sport. That’s how most of us tried out sports when we were kids! This is such a bizarre thing to be worked up over. By Middle school your kid can pick up a racket and go play with a friend on their own. Additionally, over on the Fairfax County page parents are saying their kids don’t even get outdoor PE in middle school it’s more of a study hall. Our kids in middle school PE are exposed to many different sports.

That’s right. PE in many districts has moved away from teaching and playing sports over the past decade. Arlington is one of the few districts that still emphasizes sports, along the other lessons. And DHMS has intramurals. And wrestling and swim/dive should be no cut. There are plenty of options for no-cut organized athletics in Arlington at the middle school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spouse and I are in an argument. DD is enrolled in private school, but he is unhappy with the STEM resources they have. He thinks it’s worth going back to APS for the advanced math, robotics and maker clubs, and overall science education. I’m concerned that APS doesn’t have a strong literary program — I’ve heard they barely are assigned 1 novel to read and discuss in 6th grade? And overall I don’t think above average kids are a priority at APS.

DH claims Middle Schools are getting honors classes this year or next, but unsure if they are opt in, test in, or what.

Anyone who has some experience with APS middle schools, how rigorous is academics, both STEM and otherwise? We are currently at Langley for comparison.

The honors program is supposed to start next school year.

[Anonymous]

On the novels in MS thing... my kids are in HS now but as I recall they read novels regularly throughout MS (at TJ) but it just wasn't the whole class reading/discussing the same novel. They picked from lists of books or around themes. They did it this way because there is a wide range of ability in each class. It's been a few years but I certainly seemed to be regularly helping DS and DD decide what to read next. As I understood it, they either were doing projects related to the book and/or having class/small group discussions about the theme. i.e. if the theme is immigration you can discuss how that is handled in different books even if you haven't all read the same book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the novels in MS thing... my kids are in HS now but as I recall they read novels regularly throughout MS (at TJ) but it just wasn't the whole class reading/discussing the same novel. They picked from lists of books or around themes. They did it this way because there is a wide range of ability in each class. It's been a few years but I certainly seemed to be regularly helping DS and DD decide what to read next. As I understood it, they either were doing projects related to the book and/or having class/small group discussions about the theme. i.e. if the theme is immigration you can discuss how that is handled in different books even if you haven't all read the same book.

Yup. My DD was at Swanson and regularly read novels.

[Anonymous]

6th grade last year at Swanson. Not a single novel.

This school year they will still only have intensified math but will have larger clusters of identified GT students so that some of the other core classes can go deeper. Optional intensified in science, history and English will begin in the 23-24 school year. There will be a heavy push to encourage low SES and/or minority children to try them out and get extra supports so that it doesn’t end up being tracking for rich white kids.

Getting intensified options in MS has been a primary focus of the Gifted Services Advisory Committee for years and it went nowhere under Murphy. Duran signed on last year with this year as the interim with larger clusters of similarly high ability children.

If your child is doing well at a strong private I wouldn’t switch. It isn’t an honors program and never will be. The courses are open enrollment, not restricted to only kids with teacher recommendations or certain test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6th grade last year at Swanson. Not a single novel.

This school year they will still only have intensified math but will have larger clusters of identified GT students so that some of the other core classes can go deeper. Optional intensified in science, history and English will begin in the 23-24 school year. There will be a heavy push to encourage low SES and/or minority children to try them out and get extra supports so that it doesn’t end up being tracking for rich white kids.

Getting intensified options in MS has been a primary focus of the Gifted Services Advisory Committee for years and it went nowhere under Murphy. Duran signed on last year with this year as the interim with larger clusters of similarly high ability children.

If your child is doing well at a strong private I wouldn’t switch. It isn’t an honors program and never will be. The courses are open enrollment, not restricted to only kids with teacher recommendations or certain test scores.

This. It was explicitly noted when the program was adopted that if there was a race disparity between students in those classes vs. the school overall then the program would get killed.