Overwhelmed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

Can you elaborate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your oldest is starting kindergarten soon, contact your local elementary school and find out when you should register them and when the open house is. That is all you need to do right now.

If you need before/after school childcare, consider signing up for SACC the summer before the year before your child will start Kindergarten.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

Yes. Please state which region or town at least.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

Yes. Please state which region or town at least.

Langley pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

Yes. Please state which region or town at least.

Langley pyramid.

+1. One thing I've noticed is the number of families that can more than afford private but send their children to Langley HS. Often, child 2 and 3 are NOT sent to public, and they end up in Flint Hill or others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

Yes. Please state which region or town at least.

Langley pyramid.

Which school? My kids attended Spring Hill and Colvin Run, and learning was achieved.

[Anonymous]

This has less to do with FCPS than with the expectations and attitudes of people who buy in the Langley district.

[Anonymous]

OP-- deal with FCPS one decision at a time. Enroll your kid in K.

In 2nd, if you think they might qualify for gifted, attend your school's AAP information session for 3rd grade placement.

In MS, consider whether your base HS is the best option. If your kid is really brilliant and blowing AAP out of the water, consider applying to TJ. Otherwise, look at whether IB or AP is best.

That's it. So, as other posters have said, register your kid for K and relax until 2nd grade. Take other decisions as they come. AAP and HS options might look very different by the time your kid is ready anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have young kids due to start FCPS soon. Overwhelmed at the amount of information here. Was wondering if there is a place to start/acronym list/helpful thread or if someone can even just give me a run down of how it all works. Am I to understand kids test into something called APS sometime in elementary school? And TJ is the same, but for high school? Sorry, obviously I am very new.

If you can at alll afford it, put your kids in private. I can't the six years I had my kids in FCPS as one of the worst decisions in my life. There is so much propaganda put out by the schools AND parents on how great FCPS is. It is not. Don't fall for the spin.

I definitely agree with you where the elementary schools are concerned. My kids went to one of the "best" elementaries in FCPS and almost no learning was achieved. Middle and high school are far better.

Which elementary? Churchill Road, Chesterbrook, Haycock?

Yes. Please state which region or town at least.

Langley pyramid.

+1. One thing I've noticed is the number of families that can more than afford private but send their children to Langley HS. Often, child 2 and 3 are NOT sent to public, and they end up in Flint Hill or others.

Langley Parents: We are rich and we deserve the VERY BEST.

FCPS Teacher: Hello, your child needs to work on the following skills...(YEAR 1).

Langley Parents: Do your damned job! Do you think I paid $2 million for my house just so some teacher making $50,000 (sniff, sniff) could tell me my child was anything less than perfect? I'm calling your supervisor!

FCPS Supervisor: I'm very sorry to hear about this. I'll be sure to make sure the Langley teachers/administrators/coaches/custodians/cafeteria workers all know about Child 1's untapped potential and hopes to play Lacrosse at Duke.

FCPS Teacher: Hello, your child needs to work on the following skills (YEAR 2).

Langley Parents: Hello, Potomac School! Could you please send two applications for Larla (child 2) and Larlo (child 3)? Why, yes, I do know Biff and Muffie McAuliffeller! We are all very active (hint, hint) with the Golden Retriever Hip Dysplasia Charity Ball!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP-- deal with FCPS one decision at a time. Enroll your kid in K.

In 2nd, if you think they might qualify for gifted, attend your school's AAP information session for 3rd grade placement.

In MS, consider whether your base HS is the best option. If your kid is really brilliant and blowing AAP out of the water, consider applying to TJ. Otherwise, look at whether IB or AP is best.

That's it. So, as other posters have said, register your kid for K and relax until 2nd grade. Take other decisions as they come. AAP and HS options might look very different by the time your kid is ready anyway.

Make sure to put your kids in test prep if you expect them to get into AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-- deal with FCPS one decision at a time. Enroll your kid in K.

In 2nd, if you think they might qualify for gifted, attend your school's AAP information session for 3rd grade placement.

In MS, consider whether your base HS is the best option. If your kid is really brilliant and blowing AAP out of the water, consider applying to TJ. Otherwise, look at whether IB or AP is best.

That's it. So, as other posters have said, register your kid for K and relax until 2nd grade. Take other decisions as they come. AAP and HS options might look very different by the time your kid is ready anyway.

Make sure to put your kids in test prep if you expect them to get into AAP.

Seriously? For 2nd grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your oldest is starting kindergarten soon, contact your local elementary school and find out when you should register them and when the open house is. That is all you need to do right now.

If you need before/after school childcare, consider signing up for SACC the summer before the year before your child will start Kindergarten.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Can you sign up for SACC before you're registered for school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP-- deal with FCPS one decision at a time. Enroll your kid in K.

In 2nd, if you think they might qualify for gifted, attend your school's AAP information session for 3rd grade placement.

In MS, consider whether your base HS is the best option. If your kid is really brilliant and blowing AAP out of the water, consider applying to TJ. Otherwise, look at whether IB or AP is best.

That's it. So, as other posters have said, register your kid for K and relax until 2nd grade. Take other decisions as they come. AAP and HS options might look very different by the time your kid is ready anyway.

Make sure to put your kids in test prep if you expect them to get into AAP.

Seriously? For 2nd grade?

Some of us don't