Why obsess over getting into gifted program?

[Anonymous]

I never said there are not behavior issues, rather, remedial studies are less of an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who think that behavior problems do not exist in the AAP classes, just wait. Or better yet, just read through some of the fairly recent and very long threads on the issue.

Completely agree. If they only knew how a group of 15 or so gifted 10 year old boys actually acts when they are together day after day, they would be more than happy to stay in the regular classroom.

I think part of the problem is many parents have the misconception that AAP means quiet, rule following, studious pleasers. It simply does not.

[Anonymous]

AAP in ES => Honors Classes in Middle School => More Honors classes in High School and better chance for TJ admission if in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

An AAP classroom is a bit of a mix of Star Trek convention meets Malcom in the Middle meets Phineas and Ferb on a cocktail of expresso and Red Bull.

So when parents in the program tout the benefit of the peer group, that is what they are often talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP in ES => Honors Classes in Middle School => More Honors classes in High School and better chance for TJ admission if in Fairfax County.

Huh? Honors is open enrollment in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An AAP classroom is a bit of a mix of Star Trek convention meets Malcom in the Middle meets Phineas and Ferb on a cocktail of expresso and Red Bull.

So when parents in the program tout the benefit of the peer group, that is what they are often talking about.

And my DD who loves Latin and Rick Riordan books is so happy in AAP!

[Anonymous]

I originally posted tjis in the wrong thread...

I have 2 kids in AAP. One, DD, is highly social, loves reading and science, and would probably do just as well in Gen Ed-- she was fine in K to 2nd grade.

My other child had a miserable k-2 experience. He was reading chaper books in preschool, way ahead in math, etc. He also dislikes sports and video games and is very introverted, so he had trouble making friends, and began to have problems with self confidence. He also had sensory development issues, which are apparrently common in gifted boys, but it is hard for him to watch movies. He was bored in school, and began reading during class time. When his book was taken away, he would other ways to entertain himself, like drawing on his desk, and that also got him in trouble. When he moved to AAP, it was like he became almost a new child-- interested, engaged, happy and confident. The program was just what he needed. It also help us, as parents out. We spending a lot of time when he was in 2nd grade finding appropriate books at his reading level, and other age appropriate supplemental materials.

I believe that some kids, like my son, need the AAP environment, every bit as much as other kids need special Ed-- they won't succeed in school without a teacher who understands gifted learners and their particular social/emotional issues, as well as intellectual needs. That said, we are talking abuot a small % of kids (probably 5% or less) who really needs AAP to succeed in school. The rest of the kids seem more like DD-- very capable of doing the work in AAP, but they would also be fine in Gen Ed.

I'm not saying that DD is less smart than DS- she is creative, loves to read, has an amazing talent for science, And an off the charts EQ. It's just that, IMHO, not every smart child in Fairfax Co "needs" AAP. And since FCPS kids are generally a smart group, there is something to be said about being with diverse learners. Of course, once DD was accepted into AAP, we didn't turn it down...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AAP in ES => Honors Classes in Middle School => More Honors classes in High School and better chance for TJ admission if in Fairfax County.

Huh? Honors is open enrollment in middle school.

Yes, but is everyone equally prepared for them?

[Anonymous]

I hope most people in AAP do not make a big deal of TJ, as then 80-90% of the AAP kids will be dissapointed. (2500 AAP / grade vs. 480 TJ per class).

Frankly, I do not know what my DD will be interested in when she hits HS, and I do not want her going to TJ. I do not want her spending over an hour per day in transit, vs walking to Madison HS.

[Anonymous]

08:53: What you describe can also be the difference between boys and girls. Girls at that age tend to be more social, and better behaved. Your DD may need AAP as much as you DS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope most people in AAP do not make a big deal of TJ, as then 80-90% of the AAP kids will be dissapointed. (2500 AAP / grade vs. 480 TJ per class).

Frankly, I do not know what my DD will be interested in when she hits HS, and I do not want her going to TJ. I do not want her spending over an hour per day in transit, vs walking to Madison HS.

You are contradicting yourself.
You said you don't know what your DD will be interested in and want later on.
Why do you already want or don't want her for something??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope most people in AAP do not make a big deal of TJ, as then 80-90% of the AAP kids will be dissapointed. (2500 AAP / grade vs. 480 TJ per class).

Frankly, I do not know what my DD will be interested in when she hits HS, and I do not want her going to TJ. I do not want her spending over an hour per day in transit, vs walking to Madison HS.

This is a question of interests and priorities. If you DD turns out to be interested in math or science and had an opportunity to attend TJ, and is okay with sitting in the bus for two hours a day (by the way, some kids get their homework done on the bus), you probably will change your mind.

[Anonymous]

I knew my kids were smart, so just got them in AAP which was right for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AAP in ES => Honors Classes in Middle School => More Honors classes in High School and better chance for TJ admission if in Fairfax County.

Huh? Honors is open enrollment in middle school.

Yes, but is everyone equally prepared for them?

Is everyone ready to take Algebra in 7th grade? No.

SHOULD everyone be ready to take Algebra in 7th grade? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AAP in ES => Honors Classes in Middle School => More Honors classes in High School and better chance for TJ admission if in Fairfax County.

Huh? Honors is open enrollment in middle school.

Yes, but is everyone equally prepared for them?

And AAP kids are in AAP Centers in middle school - not honors.