Staying at LLIV instead of center

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

It's really something you have to ask comparing LLIV and Centers individually. Because LLIV X may be awesome compared to Center A, but LLIV Y could be horrible compared to it's Center B. The curriculum's are the same but it all comes down to implementation which is affected by administration and teachers. As for class sizes, usually LLIV class sizes are smaller, but not always. Again it depends on what LLIV and what center. But even if it is smaller, it's usually the difference of 5-7 kids.

We chose LLIV because we found the teachers at both to be qualified qualified and inspiring. So it came down to extracurriculars for us. Extracurriculars are a big part of our son's life. He's a shy kid who derives a lot of self esteem from his activities outside of school. The late end time and long bus ride would cause him to miss the start times of a few of his activities and it wasn't worth it to us. Plus, in our area the center is a bit intense for our liking in elementary school.

Thank you, this is helpful. Is this something you can determine though by just going to both orientations? I mean, of course the teachers/admin at both the Center and the Base school will say that their program is excellent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to hear what motivates people to go instead of staying besides numbers.

The Center teachers and staff have more experience working with and supporting 2E students like my child.

I always wonder about this statement. I'm not saying it's not true for you but I find it gets thrown around a lot with no real facts/stats to back it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

It's really something you have to ask comparing LLIV and Centers individually. Because LLIV X may be awesome compared to Center A, but LLIV Y could be horrible compared to it's Center B. The curriculum's are the same but it all comes down to implementation which is affected by administration and teachers. As for class sizes, usually LLIV class sizes are smaller, but not always. Again it depends on what LLIV and what center. But even if it is smaller, it's usually the difference of 5-7 kids.

We chose LLIV because we found the teachers at both to be qualified qualified and inspiring. So it came down to extracurriculars for us. Extracurriculars are a big part of our son's life. He's a shy kid who derives a lot of self esteem from his activities outside of school. The late end time and long bus ride would cause him to miss the start times of a few of his activities and it wasn't worth it to us. Plus, in our area the center is a bit intense for our liking in elementary school.

Thank you, this is helpful. Is this something you can determine though by just going to both orientations? I mean, of course the teachers/admin at both the Center and the Base school will say that their program is excellent.

You can glean some of it from orientations (judge sincerity, kids testimonials and the presentation put on), but you need to talk to parents in the LLIV and Center system.

[Anonymous]

I think some local level IV may lag a little behind the centers, but I really want to help build my LLIV by staying. If more kids and their involved parents stay, it will only get better. And I think the neighborhood school is good for community building.

[Anonymous]

I think some local level IV may lag a little behind the centers, but I really want to help build my LLIV by staying. If more kids and their involved parents stay, it will only get better. And I think the neighborhood school is good for community building.

+1 that's my intention

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to hear what motivates people to go instead of staying besides numbers.

The Center teachers and staff have more experience working with and supporting 2E students like my child.

I always wonder about this statement. I'm not saying it's not true for you but I find it gets thrown around a lot with no real facts/stats to back it up.

It is true for my children, and I do have the facts/stats to back it up at our LLIV school compared to the Center school. But these facts and stats only apply to our children's specific situations. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

It's really something you have to ask comparing LLIV and Centers individually. Because LLIV X may be awesome compared to Center A, but LLIV Y could be horrible compared to it's Center B. The curriculum's are the same but it all comes down to implementation which is affected by administration and teachers. As for class sizes, usually LLIV class sizes are smaller, but not always. Again it depends on what LLIV and what center. But even if it is smaller, it's usually the difference of 5-7 kids.

We chose LLIV because we found the teachers at both to be qualified qualified and inspiring. So it came down to extracurriculars for us. Extracurriculars are a big part of our son's life. He's a shy kid who derives a lot of self esteem from his activities outside of school. The late end time and long bus ride would cause him to miss the start times of a few of his activities and it wasn't worth it to us. Plus, in our area the center is a bit intense for our liking in elementary school.

Thank you, this is helpful. Is this something you can determine though by just going to both orientations? I mean, of course the teachers/admin at both the Center and the Base school will say that their program is excellent.

please explain further the start time : are there two buses then for the same school coming at different times? how much extra time is that ?
nothing was said about the bus times at the orientation
we are in new area this year and my DD just started in FCPS last year the school for her now is also the aap center and she is starting in the program .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

It's really something you have to ask comparing LLIV and Centers individually. Because LLIV X may be awesome compared to Center A, but LLIV Y could be horrible compared to it's Center B. The curriculum's are the same but it all comes down to implementation which is affected by administration and teachers. As for class sizes, usually LLIV class sizes are smaller, but not always. Again it depends on what LLIV and what center. But even if it is smaller, it's usually the difference of 5-7 kids.

We chose LLIV because we found the teachers at both to be qualified qualified and inspiring. So it came down to extracurriculars for us. Extracurriculars are a big part of our son's life. He's a shy kid who derives a lot of self esteem from his activities outside of school. The late end time and long bus ride would cause him to miss the start times of a few of his activities and it wasn't worth it to us. Plus, in our area the center is a bit intense for our liking in elementary school.

Thank you, this is helpful. Is this something you can determine though by just going to both orientations? I mean, of course the teachers/admin at both the Center and the Base school will say that their program is excellent.

please explain further the start time : are there two buses then for the same school coming at different times? how much extra time is that ?
nothing was said about the bus times at the orientation
we are in new area this year and my DD just started in FCPS last year the school for her now is also the aap center and she is starting in the program .

No, not two buses from the same school. You can look at each school's start time to get an idea for how early or late it starts. Some are in the 7:00 hour and others are in the 9:00 hour. Often, Center schools start later simply because the buses are traveling further out from the school to pick up all the kids who go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

In my experience, the center is much better with boys in general, 2E kids and quirky kids.

The center class "noise level" seems to be louder, but the buzz is related to class discussions and side discussions are a lot more arguing ideas. At the base school, classes seam more orderly, but when things get noisy the side dicussiona are normal goofing off.

If you end up with an advanced group in your class at the center the pace will be much faster than other classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

In my experience, the center is much better with boys in general, 2E kids and quirky kids.

The center class "noise level" seems to be louder, but the buzz is related to class discussions and side discussions are a lot more arguing ideas. At the base school, classes seam more orderly, but when things get noisy the side dicussiona are normal goofing off.

If you end up with an advanced group in your class at the center the pace will be much faster than other classes.

Interesting. I volunteer every year at Colonial Day in my kids' 4th grade AAP classes at our LLIV. All six 4th grade classes cycle through the station I am in on that day. I have noticed, three out of three years, that the AAP class is MUCH more lively and engaged than the other classes. It's loud, but in a good way. The other classes are much more subdued and orderly, like you've described. So I'm not sure it's a Center thing as much as an AAP thing, regardless of Center vs LLIV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I am new to AAP, but what are the pros and the cons? This week both our base school and the center have orientations, on different days, so I plan on going, but I would love to hear the different opinions here as well. My kids will change schools regardless this year because we moved, but I honestly don't know which is better. Is the curriculum the same? Are the base classes smaller, because theoretically a lot of kids went to the center? TIA!

In my experience, the center is much better with boys in general, 2E kids and quirky kids.

The center class "noise level" seems to be louder, but the buzz is related to class discussions and side discussions are a lot more arguing ideas. At the base school, classes seam more orderly, but when things get noisy the side dicussiona are normal goofing off.

If you end up with an advanced group in your class at the center the pace will be much faster than other classes.

Really

[Anonymous]

Glad to have the input that centers are a better fit for quirky kids. Mine is not quirky and I worried about that issue. It sounds like keeping at the base school is a better fit since mine is not a stereotypically nerdy smart kid.

[Anonymous]

How do we get our child evaluated by the center or local for better fit, do they have admission counselors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do we get our child evaluated by the center or local for better fit, do they have admission counselors

No. You have to decide on your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad to have the input that centers are a better fit for quirky kids. Mine is not quirky and I worried about that issue. It sounds like keeping at the base school is a better fit since mine is not a stereotypically nerdy smart kid.

If your kid does not need the extra "stuff" from a Center (including supports), I agree the neighborhood school should work out just fine.