Which APS elementary most suits your gifted child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't kid yourself OP--unless you reside in the school zone you wish to attend there's little choice.

All Arlington schools handle gifted kids.

And frankly, most Arlington kids are gifted. When they do differentiation, four of the five groups tend to be well above state averages. The entire benchmark is skewed upwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't kid yourself OP--unless you reside in the school zone you wish to attend there's little choice.

All Arlington schools handle gifted kids.

And frankly, most Arlington kids are gifted. When they do differentiation, four of the five groups tend to be well above state averages. The entire benchmark is skewed upwards.

The county has the most graduate degrees in the Nation so it's no surprise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

OP, you are asking the question of a group of parents who are at best resigned (if not eagerly supportive of) a home-school-based approach to teaching advanced students (gifted or otherwise). You are right that some of us are having trouble deciphering your meaning.

Why don't you try it this way: "I have a child with the following strengths and weaknesses. He/she seems to thrive in x kind of environments and gets frustrated with y and z. Then there is my preference--I am a strong believer in the z type of educational philosophy. Is there a special program in Arlington that might work best for him/her/us? How might our home school (ABC Elementary) approach a child like this?"

I have two very bright children. One of them I consider to be truly gifted (not just very smart but with a distinct learning style that is not always well-served in a regular classroom). One of them is very bright and would meet the qualifications for AAP in FCPS, but frankly I don't think of this DC as, strictly speaking, "gifted." They have very different learning styles, thrive in different environments (actually one of them thrives in some environments and wilts in others, while the other is a "bloom where you're planted" type and can succeed almost anywhere.) If I were looking for programs that suited each of them perfectly, I'd likely send them to two different places. So telling us you have a gifted child really tells us nothing. We don't know anything about your kid other than you think/know he is smart. Yet you are asking us what the best program for him might be. How the heck can we know?

And the fact remains that the vast majority of APS parents send their kids, gifted and otherwise, to their home schools. So if you are asking a broader question about how people made their school choices in APS, 90% of respondents are going to say, "I walked over to our neighborhood school and registered."

[Anonymous]

A countywide program is open to all countries.typically residents, but you cannot assume you will get in.

You cannot assume that the right program for one gifted child is the right one for yours.

If you are dissatisfied with the answers from a dozen people, you can assume they're not the source of the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14:22 here -- I hope that was a tiny bit clear. I live in Arlington and some of the parents have me shaking my head, but overall, this is a great place. And I am so very glad that the AAP thread exists, because DAMN some people need to learn to roll with events.

I would personally be thrilled if FCPS AAP centers did not exist. Seems FCPS is Lake Wobegon in many parents' eyes, and I've had just about enough. A move to Arlington might be just what our family needs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

OP, you are asking the question of a group of parents who are at best resigned (if not eagerly supportive of) a home-school-based approach to teaching advanced students (gifted or otherwise). You are right that some of us are having trouble deciphering your meaning.

Why don't you try it this way: "I have a child with the following strengths and weaknesses. He/she seems to thrive in x kind of environments and gets frustrated with y and z. Then there is my preference--I am a strong believer in the z type of educational philosophy. Is there a special program in Arlington that might work best for him/her/us? How might our home school (ABC Elementary) approach a child like this?"

I have two very bright children. One of them I consider to be truly gifted (not just very smart but with a distinct learning style that is not always well-served in a regular classroom). One of them is very bright and would meet the qualifications for AAP in FCPS, but frankly I don't think of this DC as, strictly speaking, "gifted." They have very different learning styles, thrive in different environments (actually one of them thrives in some environments and wilts in others, while the other is a "bloom where you're planted" type and can succeed almost anywhere.) If I were looking for programs that suited each of them perfectly, I'd likely send them to two different places. So telling us you have a gifted child really tells us nothing. We don't know anything about your kid other than you think/know he is smart. Yet you are asking us what the best program for him might be. How the heck can we know?

And the fact remains that the vast majority of APS parents send their kids, gifted and otherwise, to their home schools. So if you are asking a broader question about how people made their school choices in APS, 90% of respondents are going to say, "I walked over to our neighborhood school and registered."

+1

When we moved to Arlington from DC, I thought I would make the rounds of the different choice schools--spanish immersion, ATS, ASFS--to investigate schools for our younger DC, who was about to start kindergarten. I was looking at the calendar, trying to figure out dates for open houses so I could visit, etc., and I asked DH if he could do some of the tours or should we both go together? And DH looked at the dates and then looked at his calendar and then looked at me and said, "Didn't we move here so we wouldn't HAVE to worry about where to send the kids to school?"

Why yes, DH. Yes, we did. So, as noted above, I walked over to our neighborhood school and registered DC there. And we lived happily ever after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:14:22 here -- I hope that was a tiny bit clear. I live in Arlington and some of the parents have me shaking my head, but overall, this is a great place. And I am so very glad that the AAP thread exists, because DAMN some people need to learn to roll with events.

I would personally be thrilled if FCPS AAP centers did not exist. Seems FCPS is Lake Wobegon in many parents' eyes, and I've had just about enough. A move to Arlington might be just what our family needs!

::pats sofa:: Come sit by me. Can I get you a drink? A cookie? Artisanal cheese? (Sorry, the last one slipped out. I blame Arlington.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:14:22 here -- I hope that was a tiny bit clear. I live in Arlington and some of the parents have me shaking my head, but overall, this is a great place. And I am so very glad that the AAP thread exists, because DAMN some people need to learn to roll with events.

I would personally be thrilled if FCPS AAP centers did not exist. Seems FCPS is Lake Wobegon in many parents' eyes, and I've had just about enough. A move to Arlington might be just what our family needs!

Please don't let anyone stop you. I hear Upper Caucasia calling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

Actually no, dukes are up bc of your bitchy attitude and patronizing tone. I bet you are insufferable in real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we moved to Arlington from DC, I thought I would make the rounds of the different choice schools--spanish immersion, ATS, ASFS--to investigate schools for our younger DC, who was about to start kindergarten. I was looking at the calendar, trying to figure out dates for open houses so I could visit, etc., and I asked DH if he could do some of the tours or should we both go together? And DH looked at the dates and then looked at his calendar and then looked at me and said, "Didn't we move here so we wouldn't HAVE to worry about where to send the kids to school?"

Why yes, DH. Yes, we did. So, as noted above, I walked over to our neighborhood school and registered DC there. And we lived happily ever after.

You are my new favorite person

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

It is very difficult to get into those "choice" schools if you are not in the the target cachement area and/or already have a sibling enrolled. It looks good on paper, but inreality the number of avialbe spots are woefully inadequate to meet the demand.

Very bright and gifted children come in all sorts of flavors. I would be hesitant to recommend any school on the basis of that one small description. In what ways do yo think your child is gifted? Math? Science? Language ability? Is she an introvert or an extrovert? Does she need a more structured strict environment or a more laid back one? Is she a homebody and wouldn't like to have to drive all over town to see friends, but will play outside with whomever is around? Is she adventurous? Shy? Slow to warm? Is she easily insulted? Is she tempermental? Does she like change? Does she make friends easily and freely? Does she need tons of outdoor play to settle down? Does she have her "Monday outfit, her tueday outfit......? DOes she like to kisten to books quitely for hours? Is she artistic? Is she musical?

Ther is no "one size fits all" school for "gifted" children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP--please head to Fairfax Co.

Your kind is not welcome in APS where our child's gifted status is worn as a badge on our chest. We like our understated(and successful) approach.

I prefer APS' approach over FCPS'. It would be nice if people would read my actual question as opposed to jumping to all these erroneous conclusions. I am not even asking about the gifted program. I am asking about the school programs. Contrary to what the PP said when he/she said there are no choices, the Montessori program is county wide, there are two language immersion schools, there is an expeditionary learning program that is county wide, etc. If I hadn't used that hot-button word "gifted" I'm sure I would have gotten a flood of responses about the choices parents made and why. But, somehow, when I say "gifted" everyone gets their dukes up.

The other recent thread about Arlington choice schools reminds me to add this important point to this discussion:

Remember that admission to **ALL** of Arlington's special programs/schools is by lottery ONLY.* ANYONE can apply (as long as you live within the circumscribed geographical boundary, which for some schools is county-wide and for others is limited to certain areas within the county). There is no program or school designed specifically to meet the needs of advanced or gifted children, and no program or school (other than the gifted pull-out that happens at all schools) that does not have children with a range of skills and abilities. No matter where you send your child to school in Arlington, he/she will spend the majority of his/her time in classrooms with children who range from gifted to bright to average to below average. Some people consider this a good thing, but obviously YMMV.


*The one exception to this might be the IB program at W-L High School. (?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, let's keep this thread a troll-free zone; I know how many people out there enjoy hating on parents of the gifted.

To be fair, when such a high number of kids are "gifted," the snark is appropriate. What you're trying to avoid, really, is criticism of parents who have bought into the idea that their child is truly gifted. HTH.

[Anonymous]

have you researched Gifted? Does not mean smart. So please don't call it advanced. Some are very stupid. Double gifted? Advanced is a better description of a smarter than average child.