Supplemental programs to support a public school APS student

[Anonymous]

DP. It's definitely teacher dependent. For us, third grade was better than fourth for differentiation (like supplemental math and book club). I think my kid is still learning, and there were a lot of tests this year, which prompted us to do more at home. I just don't think APS elementary teachers are ever going to really care about challenging bright kids who are already doing well. Enrichment is much cheaper than private school or moving to a new home.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others on lots of reading. It doesn’t feel burdensome to them and you can tailor it to subjects you want to cover. There is a lot on the social studies/history front. Some on science too but can be harder to find something fun and well done.

I wouldn’t push math too hard but the kid won’t die from 15-20 minutes a few times a week if that’s what you really want to do, especially during long breaks. Primary Mathematics is good for this.

[Anonymous]

Mom was a teacher. She made us read over the summers and also do a math worksheet every day from a workbook at our level. She wan't pushing ahead, just preventing the usual summer academic slide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mom was a teacher. She made us read over the summers and also do a math worksheet every day from a workbook at our level. She wan't pushing ahead, just preventing the usual summer academic slide.

I wrote the comment before this and it was the same for me. Teacher mom and every summer we were doing work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d recommend music as well. Both of mine are top scorers on the SOL and in class and on the most advanced middle school tracks. Also, we’re coming from one of the less praised APS schools. Reading is great. We never added additional math work.

What type of music? Can you please share what the most advanced middle school track is and which elementary school your kids attended? What did you do/which activities did they do outside of school ?

[Anonymous]

We didn’t do any supplementing until 3rd grade when our math loving kid was unhappy that math was boring. It was also COVID so we asked DC to unplug the headphones so we could hear the math class. It was really, really ridiculous slow. We enrolled in online AoPS, DC loved it. The next year we moved to RSM because DC wanted in person classes and AoPS is too far away. DC enjoyed the grade level class but loved the math competition program. DC is a rising 9th grader and still does the RSM math competition class. It has been great for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d recommend music as well. Both of mine are top scorers on the SOL and in class and on the most advanced middle school tracks. Also, we’re coming from one of the less praised APS schools. Reading is great. We never added additional math work.

What type of music? Can you please share what the most advanced middle school track is and which elementary school your kids attended? What did you do/which activities did they do outside of school ?

The only actual track in APS middle school is math. Students on that track take pre-algebra in 6th, algebra in 7th, and geometry in 8th.

Students can sign up for intensified versions of other classes, but can pick and choose what they want to take as intensified vs regular. Parents who say their kid is on the most advanced track probably just mean that their kid has signed up for all of the available intensified classes. But it's not really a track per se, as kids can take what they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d recommend music as well. Both of mine are top scorers on the SOL and in class and on the most advanced middle school tracks. Also, we’re coming from one of the less praised APS schools. Reading is great. We never added additional math work.

What type of music? Can you please share what the most advanced middle school track is and which elementary school your kids attended? What did you do/which activities did they do outside of school ?

The only actual track in APS middle school is math. Students on that track take pre-algebra in 6th, algebra in 7th, and geometry in 8th.

Students can sign up for intensified versions of other classes, but can pick and choose what they want to take as intensified vs regular. Parents who say their kid is on the most advanced track probably just mean that their kid has signed up for all of the available intensified classes. But it's not really a track per se, as kids can take what they want.

What do you mean there is no track? There is definitely a most advanced math track. It starts in 6th with intensified math 6-7-8, Algebra intensified in 7th, Geometry intensified in 8th and so on with kids reaching AP pre calc sophomore year, AP calc BC junior year and DE multivariable calc senior year. Kids can hop off at any time and many do, but this is the most advanced math track and it definitely exists.

APS now also offers intensified in other subjects too in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d recommend music as well. Both of mine are top scorers on the SOL and in class and on the most advanced middle school tracks. Also, we’re coming from one of the less praised APS schools. Reading is great. We never added additional math work.

What type of music? Can you please share what the most advanced middle school track is and which elementary school your kids attended? What did you do/which activities did they do outside of school ?

The only actual track in APS middle school is math. Students on that track take pre-algebra in 6th, algebra in 7th, and geometry in 8th.

Students can sign up for intensified versions of other classes, but can pick and choose what they want to take as intensified vs regular. Parents who say their kid is on the most advanced track probably just mean that their kid has signed up for all of the available intensified classes. But it's not really a track per se, as kids can take what they want.

What do you mean there is no track? There is definitely a most advanced math track. It starts in 6th with intensified math 6-7-8, Algebra intensified in 7th, Geometry intensified in 8th and so on with kids reaching AP pre calc sophomore year, AP calc BC junior year and DE multivariable calc senior year. Kids can hop off at any time and many do, but this is the most advanced math track and it definitely exists.

APS now also offers intensified in other subjects too in middle school.

Uh, work on your reading comprehension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP. It's definitely teacher dependent. For us, third grade was better than fourth for differentiation (like supplemental math and book club). I think my kid is still learning, and there were a lot of tests this year, which prompted us to do more at home. I just think APS elementary teachers have too much on their plate to challenge bright kids who are already doing well. Enrichment is much cheaper than private school or moving to a new home.

I fixed it for you! You are most welcome.

[Anonymous]

Try Outschool.com for online education at low cost and low commitment. You can supplement with the basics or fun and unique topics for each subject. Instructors are rated and some offer both synchronous or asynchronous instruction at your own pace.