Anyone's child not like their AAP Center and go back after a year?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is set to go the AAP center next year. She was very enthused about it until a few days ago. Now, I think with school ending, she is starting to get nostolgic for her current school and says she doesn't want to go to the center school next year. I told her if she hates it, she can always return the following year to her base school. Has anyone on here done that? And how long did it take for your child to get used to the center/new school? Lastly, what if she hates it so much and wants to return mid-year - is that even possible? Not that I would want to do that, but if I tell her it's possible it might ease her fears. Any experience in this? TIA!

[Anonymous]

nostalgic not nostolgic. Should have done spell-check!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:nostalgic not nostolgic. Should have done spell-check!

When you begin a sentence, you should capitalize the first word. Bad grammar!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:nostalgic not nostolgic. Should have done spell-check!

When you begin a sentence, you should capitalize the first word. Bad grammar!

It wasn't a sentence. It was a fragment. My grammar is fine. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Why do people nitpick grammar/spelling on this board? We know what you mean...it is not a formal venue.

[Anonymous]

I am certain you would have the ability to move back to your home school at any time. That said, once that decision was made, I would venture a guess that you would have to wait until the following school year to be readmitted if you realized your decision was not right.

Though I have heard many gripe on these boards about how Local Level IV is not as "challenging" we were very happy to have this option, so as to take away the need for our son to move. To me, the social aspect of school is very important as well. We were already not at our neighoborhood school (placed elsewhere for NCLB opt-out), so the possibility of moving to another non-neighborhood school did not appeal to us.

My only worry for you would be, that your daughter might want to request to go back right away. Perhaps saying "if after x amount of time you are not happy we can talk about a change". Maybe this was your intention anyway.

My last thought is perhaps there is a way to connect with some other families whose children will be moving as well. They may share the same fears as your daughter, and having familiar faces might help with the transition.

Best wishes.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they can deny you entry into your base school. They may try to discourage it in the middle of a school year, but you have the right. But I am not sure I would actually tell my kid it was an option. I would go into it with the attitude of "we'll stick it out for a year" but know in your mind that if things do not go well, there are always choices.

I do know someone who moved their 6th grader back to the base school because most kids in their center went to a different middle school and she wanted her daughter to make friends and connections with girls at the base school who would be going to the same middle school.

I also know someone who started out the year in a Local Level IV and switched mid first quarter to the center.

We had a very bad third grade year in a Local Level IV and switched to the center the next year. As part of that process, I realized in speaking with the principal at the center that we could have switched at any point in the school year. FCPS does not like to tell you this but transfers mid year (in either direction) are ALWAYS an option.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but thank you so much, those last two posts are very informative and helpful.

[Anonymous]

OP, my plan is to send my child back to her base school if she doesn't like AAP. In talking to the base school it's not hard to do.

[Anonymous]

We were told at the AAP orientation in May that they encourage children to stick it out a full year. I never heard them say, they will not allow you to return mid-year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do people nitpick grammar/spelling on this board? We know what you mean...it is not a formal venue.

Because we all have (or think that we should have) a child in the AAP program in Fairfax county. That shows how smart WE are. Since others might doubt that, we must nitpick the grammar and spelling of those who obviously don't deserve to have a child in the program.

I dunno. Just guessing. It also could be the fact that some people are just jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a very bad third grade year in a Local Level IV and switched to the center the next year. As part of that process, I realized in speaking with the principal at the center that we could have switched at any point in the school year. FCPS does not like to tell you this but transfers mid year (in either direction) are ALWAYS an option.

Thanks very much for posting. A quick question... we also have a 3rd grade DC in the Local Level IV, and would like to switch to the center for next year. What was the process for that?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I really plan on having her stick it out for a year. She was excited to go early on but is now having second thoughts. I highly doubt she'd go back mid-year but knowing it is an option is comforting. I appreciate everyone's comments (except the grammar one. )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a very bad third grade year in a Local Level IV and switched to the center the next year. As part of that process, I realized in speaking with the principal at the center that we could have switched at any point in the school year. FCPS does not like to tell you this but transfers mid year (in either direction) are ALWAYS an option.

Thanks very much for posting. A quick question... we also have a 3rd grade DC in the Local Level IV, and would like to switch to the center for next year. What was the process for that?

Complete this form and mail it in at least 3 weeks before school starts. My child is switiching from LL IV to a Center next year, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a very bad third grade year in a Local Level IV and switched to the center the next year. As part of that process, I realized in speaking with the principal at the center that we could have switched at any point in the school year. FCPS does not like to tell you this but transfers mid year (in either direction) are ALWAYS an option.

Thanks very much for posting. A quick question... we also have a 3rd grade DC in the Local Level IV, and would like to switch to the center for next year. What was the process for that?

Complete this form and mail it in at least 3 weeks before school starts. My child is switiching from LL IV to a Center next year, too.

Whoops - here is the link:

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/aap/packet/Full-Time%20Reactivation%20AAP_Fillable_distributed.pdf