APS Middle Schools

[Anonymous]

The Swanson Latin teacher is AMAZING. She's truly an exceptional teacher-- maybe the best in APS. We would have pulled our kid for private last year except that he's so attached to the Swanson Latin teacher and refused to leave her.

You've met and have had a kid in class with every teacher in APS? Because if you haven't, this is a ridiculous statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a thread started about a different topic that lightly touched on APS MS. A few parents shared that there are big differences between middle schools. Please share the good and the bad of your MS if you recently graduated or have a child in APS MS right now. I am specifically interested in a strong math and science program, as well as gifted services.

I think the Languages offered at various grade levels might also differ. For example, at Kenmore the only option is Spanish in 6th grade. There might be others later on. But I have a friend with a kid at Swanson who took Latin in 6th. My kid was very disappointed to only have the option of Spanish, and would have preferred taking Latin in 6th and switching to French for 7-8. Apparently, we needed to know this before buying our house when kid was an infant.
System of schools.

TJ has the widest variety of languages offered, part of the IB program. They also require language all three years. I believe the choices include Spanish, French, Latin, Chinese, Arabic

and ASL.

[Anonymous]

ASL is at all middle schools and at TJ it is not an IB language

[Anonymous]

Besides the language piece, are there any other advantages to doing IB in middle school? Is Kenmore an option school?

[Anonymous]

Kenmore is not option but usually has some neighborhood transfer seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Besides the language piece, are there any other advantages to doing IB in middle school? Is Kenmore an option school?

I liked the community service requirement. For DS, it pushed him to get involved consistently with one organization that he ended up volunteering with through HS (and ended up being an important college app essay topic).

[Anonymous]

Yes, the Latin teacher at Swanson is very very good. The students do exceptionally well on the National Latin exam.

[Anonymous]

Actually. The National Latin Exam does not set a very high bar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenmore is not option but usually has some neighborhood transfer seats.

Used to be an option to transfer for the “STEAM” program. Now, no transfers are being allowed to any MS, including Kenmore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry. I realize this must be your oldest but I think you are overreacting. You are talking about a half year introductory course for a 6th grader. It’s not going to give your kid a strong background in Latin, it carries no actual credits that matter. It’s really just a placeholder for students who are proficient readers and don’t need to do daily reading. Relax.

Look, it’s my kid’s preference. Not mine. Kid was disappointed that the option was not there. Didn’t enjoy Spanish when it was offered in ES and doesn’t want to continue with it. I think it’s a more “valuable” language than French, but telling that to a tween who knows it all doesn’t get me far. Kid’s had a rough year and a half, with Covid, and I wish this one small thing could go the way kid wants. That’s all. Not because it will determine kid’s future. Sheesh.