Level IV at Thoreau vs Luther Jackson

[Anonymous]

What does “issues with safety” mean? Is this code for something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does “issues with safety” mean? Is this code for something?

Not specific to this school, but in general - lot of children from lower socio-economic areas. Possibility of a few gang type activities. That is what safety concerns mean.

We had this concern about LJ but that was entirely unfounded based on our 2 years at LJ.

[Anonymous]

There is a school for example, where more academically oriented kids know it is better to avoid one particular rest room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does “issues with safety” mean? Is this code for something?

Yes. LJMS is 52% FARMs and almost 50% Hispanic, thus "safety" concerns. Thoreau is less than 20% FARMs and over 50% white.

[Anonymous]

The Virginia Department of Education tracks school safety.

For example, it tracks how many times an offense was committed against a student. In 2019-2020, there were 14 offenses against a student at Luther Jackson. There were too few to count at Thoreau.

There were 63 alcohol/tobacco/drug offenses at Luther Jackson the same year. At Thoreau there were too few to count. There were 77 offenses classified as "related to behavior" at Luther Jackson. There were zero at Thoreau.

I don't know how accurate the data is that the VDOE has, as I don't know how they collect the data and how schools report the data. You can look up the data for each school and school year yourself here:

https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/pti/selection.do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Virginia Department of Education tracks school safety.

For example, it tracks how many times an offense was committed against a student. In 2019-2020, there were 14 offenses against a student at Luther Jackson. There were too few to count at Thoreau.

There were 63 alcohol/tobacco/drug offenses at Luther Jackson the same year. At Thoreau there were too few to count. There were 77 offenses classified as "related to behavior" at Luther Jackson. There were zero at Thoreau.

I don't know how accurate the data is that the VDOE has, as I don't know how they collect the data and how schools report the data. You can look up the data for each school and school year yourself here:

https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/pti/selection.do

Thoreau doesn’t accurately report. This is true. Chances are given rather than following FCPS protocol.

[Anonymous]

I noticed for orientation (virtual) provided by LJ (AAP) and Thoreau (LLIV) for rising 7th graders that the attendance was significantly higher for the Thoreau session than it was for LJ's presentation for its AAP. Perhaps that's a result of of most Level IV AAP parents in the zone already choosing LJ? But it was a significant difference in attendance. FWIW we have a child who's Level IV but opted for Thoreau based on the assumption that it may help continue friendships into Madison (especially given the impact this pandemic has had on our kid for the past year in terms of minimizing social activity). Of course there is a lingering worry that we are depriving DC of LJ's fantastic AAP curriculum and it's one of those things that we just have to choose and hope DC has the ability to make the best of all of it (academics, social interaction, extra curricular, etc). Good luck to OP on your choice.

[Anonymous]

I had a kid in LJ aap.
And also Thoreau aap.

English at LJ is top notch, quite frankly better than Madison and we are several years in. Mrs Tempesta who is a rock star. History/Science were more hit and miss at LJ depending on the teacher.

I think curriculum is stronger at LJ overall.

Some Thoreau algebra teachers are not good but the same applies at LJ.

[Anonymous]

^^ Thoreau language teachers are not good either.

Thoreau also allows more retakes and grading is easier. Makes middle school easier but high school harder. Both have benefits.

[Anonymous]

I have had two kids go through the LJ AAP program. The quality of teaching was very strong and the academics were rigorous all subjects, which prepared both of my kids well for high school. One went on to TJ and felt like LJ gave strong preparation for success in the challenging classes there. My other currently is at Madison and is doing very well academically and socially, despite having been separated from some childhood friends that went to Thoreau. Neither had any safety concerns at LJ and felt like it was a welcoming and supportive environment. I would recommend the LJ AAP program without hesitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Virginia Department of Education tracks school safety.

For example, it tracks how many times an offense was committed against a student. In 2019-2020, there were 14 offenses against a student at Luther Jackson. There were too few to count at Thoreau.

There were 63 alcohol/tobacco/drug offenses at Luther Jackson the same year. At Thoreau there were too few to count. There were 77 offenses classified as "related to behavior" at Luther Jackson. There were zero at Thoreau.

I don't know how accurate the data is that the VDOE has, as I don't know how they collect the data and how schools report the data. You can look up the data for each school and school year yourself here:

https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/pti/selection.do

Thoreau doesn’t accurately report. This is true. Chances are given rather than following FCPS protocol.

It's the under-reporting of incidents at Thoreau that got the last principal fired, wasn't it? Doubt very much these are apples-to-apples comparisons.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your input! One more question - my son did NOT meet the cut off for the the Algebra IAAT and thus will not be taking Algebra I next year. He'll be taking Math 7 Honors. Should that impact if he should go to Jackson? Do most AAP kids at Luther Jackson take Algebra I in 7th? I dont want him to feel left out....

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for your input! One more question - my son did NOT meet the cut off for the the Algebra IAAT and thus will not be taking Algebra I next year. He'll be taking Math 7 Honors. Should that impact if he should go to Jackson? Do most AAP kids at Luther Jackson take Algebra I in 7th? I dont want him to feel left out....

Thank you

Most actually take Math 7. But it’s possible that most of the kids from his elementary school heading to LJ will take Algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

In my experience with two students at LJ, I seem to recall that roughly half of the AAP students take Algebra I, so he should have plenty of peers in Math 7. Also, if he was close to the IAAT cutoff and you feel like he is ready for Algebra I, it may be possible to make an appeal to the LJ principal to have him placed in Algebra I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with two students at LJ, I seem to recall that roughly half of the AAP students take Algebra I, so he should have plenty of peers in Math 7. Also, if he was close to the IAAT cutoff and you feel like he is ready for Algebra I, it may be possible to make an appeal to the LJ principal to have him placed in Algebra I.

The general advice on this board has been to not take Algebra 1 if you don't meet both bench marks. Some have even suggested that the IAAT percentage needs to be raised because the 91% is too low. Kids who have met the bench marks struggle with Algebra 1.