Chesterbrook or Haycock

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be interesting to see if Haycock continues to outperform other schools once the size of the AAP program is reduced. A larger program makes some opportunities available that are less available in most smaller programs. Not a dig at Haycock or sour grapes, just an observation. It will take a few years to see how the reduced AAP size plays out or if anything changes.

Also, with the new superintendent there may be further changes in the AAP program, including some reductions in AAP Centers, perhaps at Haycock.

[Anonymous]

OP - as a former (many years ago, finished in 1987) Haycock GT student, I think you're right to consider the academic elitism issue. Of course, a lifetime has gone by since I went there, so things could be totally different, but that "you're the best, you're better than they are" attitude was very prevalent when I went to school there. I didn't realize it until many many years later when I left the GT track (although I got in, I opted to go to McLean instead of TJ - I decided I wasn't enough of a science person) and realized we were kind of all growing up to be intellectual snobs and a-holes and a large part of it was the "you are the BEST EVER" attitude that we were getting from teachers.

[Anonymous]

While I agree with this, I can't think that Chesterbrook would be any better than Haycock in terms of elitism. One will be elitest favoring people with money and the other will be elitest favoring people who are smart academically. It all depends on how you parent, how your kids end up. Some people can rise above it and still be rich and smart but humble and others can't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"That said, I am glad we made the decision to stay put at Chesterbrook given the issues with Haycock's crowding problem. I don't think the issues are bringing out the best in people and I've heard some very negative things about the parents at Haycock. I'm sure it's just a very loud few but hard to ignore. "

actually the whole drama to me brought out the true color of Haycock's principle and some of the staff members -- stay away!!

Principal, not principle, OK? Let's write that on the blackboard 10 times.

Some of the people moving over to Lemon Road AAP next year now look for any opportunity to criticize Haycock, yet they also have made it very clear that they want an AAP center that is just as good as Haycock and that they'll throw a fit if their kids have to interact too much with the non-AAP students at Lemon Road. Pot, meet kettle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I agree with this, I can't think that Chesterbrook would be any better than Haycock in terms of elitism. One will be elitest favoring people with money and the other will be elitest favoring people who are smart academically. It all depends on how you parent, how your kids end up. Some people can rise above it and still be rich and smart but humble and others can't.

It's very clear among the students at Haycock as to who is AAP and who is not, whereas at Chesterbrook it's less likely for elementary school students to know whose parents have the largest net worths.

[Anonymous]

I have to disagree with some of the posts. I feel like there is a mixing of AAP and GE students at Haycock. WE think it is a good mix. Our family does not feel that it is elitist and we are not a high income family. My kids have PE 2X a week at Haycock(not sure if all do or a certain grade does not but we have not encountered this yet). However since you are making the decision for the next coming year I probably would choose Chesterbrook given the HUGE renovation that is coming up for Haycock starting in December. Nobody knows what to expect. I'm certain there will be challenges moving all the kids around at each stage of construction but I'm hopeful the staff will handle it well.

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster who questioned the mixing of AAP and GE and said I found it somewhat elitist. I see little mixing. Maybe exteacurriculars and strings? What mixing do people see?

Just to clarify, I am not the parent of a child moving to Lemon Road next year. It really IS ok to think critically of Haycock and not everyone who does so is a sour grapes parent whose child is being transferred. Haycock is a very good school (which I have said repeatedly). I not bashing it, merely giving my assessment. It's odd to me that parents are so afraid when someone mentions a shortcoming of the school.

[Anonymous]

12:21 The elitism at Chesterbrook I'm talking about is toward other families less fortunate in general, not within Chesterbrook's boundaries. That said, neither Haycock or Chesterbrook have a large population of children on free and reduced lunches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:21 The elitism at Chesterbrook I'm talking about is toward other families less fortunate in general, not within Chesterbrook's boundaries. That said, neither Haycock or Chesterbrook have a large population of children on free and reduced lunches.

OK, but it's still a bit confusing. I guess you're suggesting that Chesterbrook's a "bubble" of affluence and that kids there may acquire "elitist" attitudes that are later directed towards others who don't go there. I don't know whether that really happens. What actually seems more likely to me is that some kids at Longfellow and McLean make assumptions, at least initially, about kids who went to Timber Lane, the one Title I school in the pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's what I'm referring to. Assumptions about people's lifestyles they aren't familiar with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, that's what I'm referring to. Assumptions about people's lifestyles they aren't familiar with.

IME, this applies to everyone, regardless of their background.

[Anonymous]

There is no mixing at all of AAP and gen Ed at Haycock. Not in any specials (except maybe band), or for any coursework. My 6th grader has been there for 4 years and doesn't know a single kid in gen Ed. I will agree that the principal showed her true colors this year. So glad we're on our way out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no mixing at all of AAP and gen Ed at Haycock. Not in any specials (except maybe band), or for any coursework. My 6th grader has been there for 4 years and doesn't know a single kid in gen Ed. I will agree that the principal showed her true colors this year. So glad we're on our way out.

It must have really bothered you if he spent four years without making Gen Ed friends. Hypocrite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no mixing at all of AAP and gen Ed at Haycock. Not in any specials (except maybe band), or for any coursework. My 6th grader has been there for 4 years and doesn't know a single kid in gen Ed. I will agree that the principal showed her true colors this year. So glad we're on our way out.

It must have really bothered you if he spent four years without making Gen Ed friends. Hypocrite.

Not sure why that makes her a hypocrite. We live in an imperfect world, every decision has its assets and deficits. Obviously, for her, one of the deficits was the separation of AAP and Gen Ed at her son's school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"That said, I am glad we made the decision to stay put at Chesterbrook given the issues with Haycock's crowding problem. I don't think the issues are bringing out the best in people and I've heard some very negative things about the parents at Haycock. I'm sure it's just a very loud few but hard to ignore. "

actually the whole drama to me brought out the true color of Haycock's principle and some of the staff members -- stay away!!

Principal, not principle, OK? Let's write that on the blackboard 10 times.

Some of the people moving over to Lemon Road AAP next year now look for any opportunity to criticize Haycock, yet they also have made it very clear that they want an AAP center that is just as good as Haycock and that they'll throw a fit if their kids have to interact too much with the non-AAP students at Lemon Road. Pot, meet kettle.

Exhibit A of the attitude of some parents at Haycock. You may not want to be part of that.