Private School/AAP

[Anonymous]

Is there anyone willing to share their experience of transferring from a private school to AAP (or vice versa) and whether you feel that the AAP center has been as academically challenging, etc. in the longer term?

We switched from a private school to the elementary school AAP center this year and our DC is having a tough time adjusting. Putting DC's adjustment issues aside (which might mainly be attributable to things like less recess!), we are trying to objectively evaluate DC's comments about the academics and how they compare to DC's former school (which was not a "gifted" school). DC is bright, but not profoundly gifted. We liked what we observed about the types of projects our DC was assigned at the AAP center at the beginning of the year and DC's teachers seemed great. However, although we don't believe in homework for homework's sake, it does seem like homework has really trailed off as the year has gone on. Our DC says the homework is easier and not as substantive, the teaching is straight "lecturing" (and is not as engaging), and the teachers don't have time to evaluate homework papers of so many students and as a result don't assign as many writing projects, etc.

I know AAP Centers must vary, and there are reasons beyond academics why we support our children attending the very highly-regarded Fairfax County public shools. We still would appreciate even anecdotal input from anyone who has experienced the comparison between AAP and private education.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Is there anyone willing to share their experience of transferring from a private school to AAP (or vice versa) and whether you feel that the AAP center has been as academically challenging, etc. in the longer term?

We switched from a private school to the elementary school AAP center this year and our DC is having a tough time adjusting. Putting DC's adjustment issues aside (which might mainly be attributable to things like less recess!), we are trying to objectively evaluate DC's comments about the academics and how they compare to DC's former school (which was not a "gifted" school). DC is bright, but not profoundly gifted. We liked what we observed about the types of projects our DC was assigned at the AAP center at the beginning of the year and DC's teachers seemed great. However, although we don't believe in homework for homework's sake, it does seem like homework has really trailed off as the year has gone on. Our DC says the homework is easier and not as substantive, the teaching is straight "lecturing" (and is not as engaging), and the teachers don't have time to evaluate homework papers of so many students and as a result don't assign as many writing projects, etc.

I know AAP Centers must vary, and there are reasons beyond academics why we support our children attending the very highly-regarded Fairfax County public shools. We still would appreciate even anecdotal input from anyone who has experienced the comparison between AAP and private education.

Thank you!

I'd ask the teacher what is going on. The amount of homework and projects has remained pretty constant in my kid's GT class. The teacher
has said though that daily homework isn't a big priority since the parents tend to do it, especially the writing. DC's teacher prefers them to write in class to see what the kids
can actually do.

[Anonymous]

The teacher has said though that daily homework isn't a big priority since the parents tend to do it, especially the writing. DC's teacher prefers them to write in class to see what the kids can actually do.

Our teacher said the exact same thing. They do a lot of in class writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The teacher has said though that daily homework isn't a big priority since the parents tend to do it, especially the writing. DC's teacher prefers them to write in class to see what the kids can actually do.

Our teacher said the exact same thing. They do a lot of in class writing.

Another voice in agreement. DC is in 4th grade and is currently doing a biography project where the overwhelming majority of the research and writing is done during school time.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, PPs, for the input -- it makes sense that the in-class work could give the teachers the best indication of the student's abilities, progress, etc.

[Anonymous]

We did exactly this in the fall of 2010 - moved our DS from a private to a public AAP program (3rd grade) and have been thrilled. We love the new school (Chesterbrook), although I will admit that the first 2 months were rough. Our DS never really had to work at his old private school, and it was a total shock for him to actually have to put some effort into homework. He is a very bright - but lazy! - kid. I would rather have my kid learn how to study, and that not everything he learns is going to be piece of cake, in 3rd grade than in HS or later.

The primary reason we pulled our kids from the private was not to move our oldest DS to the AAP program, but it ended up to be one of the biggest benefits of the move.

I think that your experience will depend on the private you are moving from and the school you are moving to. Just like all privates are not the same, your experience at a public will depend on the school.