What is the big deal about AAP?

[Anonymous]

With all the reasons addressed above related with TJ, there is another one.

For some kids, there is no way they can get into the base high school team, like Football team or baseball team, getting into TJ gives another chance to make the team.
There is no try out for TJ football team.

Also not all high schools offer crew program, TJ has one.

[Anonymous]

TJ should not be about sports. That's ridiculous to consider the school for that reason.

[Anonymous]

No, seriously, there's a bumper sticker that says, "TJ: We came for the sports."
Lots of kids go there just so they can get on the sports teams and earn a varsity letter. Colleges like kids who have varsity letters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, seriously, there's a bumper sticker that says, "TJ: We came for the sports."
Lots of kids go there just so they can get on the sports teams and earn a varsity letter. Colleges like kids who have varsity letters.

This sticker is tongue-in-cheek. I did not realize that anyone will not get the joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With all the reasons addressed above related with TJ, there is another one.

For some kids, there is no way they can get into the base high school team, like Football team or baseball team, getting into TJ gives another chance to make the team.
There is no try out for TJ football team.

Also not all high schools offer crew program, TJ has one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, seriously, there's a bumper sticker that says, "TJ: We came for the sports."
Lots of kids go there just so they can get on the sports teams and earn a varsity letter. Colleges like kids who have varsity letters.

This sticker is tongue-in-cheek. I did not realize that anyone will not get the joke.

The bumper stickers started years ago when TJ was reasonably good at sports. The motto was supposed to be somewhat preppy and self-deprecating, reflecting the initial TJ culture.

In general, TJ doesn't do well at team sports now, particularly football or basketball. They are good at individual sports like cross country, swimming/diving, and tennis. And if they were really good at sports, the bumper sticker wouldn't be "TJ: We came for the sports," but something like "TJ: Smarter, stronger and faster than the rest."

[Anonymous]

I've been in the county for decades and have friends and relatives who went to TJ. The TJ sports bumper stickers were meant as a joke.

[Anonymous]

The bumper stickers started years ago when TJ was reasonably good at sports. The motto was supposed to be somewhat preppy and self-deprecating, reflecting the initial TJ culture.

Clueless.

[Anonymous]

AAP prepares students better even if they don't go to TJ. I did not know better with my oldest and allowed him to go through GE. Found out most of the kids that got in took test prep courses or at home training. Did this for second and he got in to AAP. Work is more challenging in every subject. Plus, when all the kids are doing more work, they are not distracting each other from working.

I completely support every kid being challenged more than GE, if they can handle it. Most kids in the 80% percentile + can handle the work. But even the 94th percentile is held back to the lesser path. AAP teaches more "." 1st is now in HS struggling because the other kids in honors classes are used to the harder work. Kids in GE are being hurt by FCPS. They are being kept from reaching their potential.

[Anonymous]

AAP really is 100% about the peer group. I really think the kids feed off of one another and encourage each along...and yes, you do tend to remove some of the more behaviorally challenged kids from the group that stay in GE. That said, there are a lot of 2E kids in AAP also that have their own set of issues, but in general we've found the class works really well.

[Anonymous]

Kids in GE are being hurt by FCPS. They are being kept from reaching their potential.

I agree but I am curous why you believe this?

[Anonymous]

And then there are the parents in my neighborhood who don't even want their children to do the designated homework by the teacher but still complain about AAP. I'm all for reasonable homework limits, but for these moms, it seems they are more angry that other children are in an accelerated program than wanting their child to actually do accelerated and more in depth work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Kids in GE are being hurt by FCPS. They are being kept from reaching their potential.

I agree but I am curous why you believe this?

I disagree. There are many kids that I know personally who were not in AAP that were/are successful academically and went on to become successful career wise. Each child is different. Some make it out just fine others don't. It has nothing to do with being in AAP or not. If this was the case, my DD would not have kids that are doing awful in her AAP class.

[Anonymous]

My DD did not go to a center. She did better in high school than most of her center friends. Aberration? Don't know. Would love to see stats on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP really is 100% about the peer group. I really think the kids feed off of one another and encourage each along...and yes, you do tend to remove some of the more behaviorally challenged kids from the group that stay in GE. That said, there are a lot of 2E kids in AAP also that have their own set of issues, but in general we've found the class works really well.

It is a fallacy that more of the "behaviorally challenged kids" stay in GE. Take a look at any AAP classroom and you will see many "behavioral issues". Frankly, I think the peer group in GE is far more balanced, good-natured, and even-keeled. I hear a lot about the "AAP peer group" and after observing them, really want no part of it.