chesterbrook, kent gardens, or haycock?

[Anonymous]

We're researching elementaries for our kids. How would you compare the ones in McLean? Chesterbrook, kent gardens and haycock?

[Anonymous]

churchill is best.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what you're looking for. Haycock is definitely the most overcrowded, but superior in the opinion of many, and is also a level IV GT center. Chesterbrook is less crowded and has a lesser "local level IV" GT program and also Chinese language instruction. Kent Gardens has the French language immersion program, but if your child qualifies for the level IV GT program you have no in-school option and you would have the choice to send your child to Haycock for GT.

[Anonymous]

Regarding Haycock being overcrowded, I've heard they have all of the money in place for expansion but have not set a date. Is it safe to say that entering kindergarten in the next year or two the expansion would be done by the time child was in 5th grade? I was told it was the 5 and 6th grades that were in trailers and the expansion would cut this down.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they do have a renovation/expansion in the works. I'm not sure if there is a start date yet, but I can't imagine it not being done within the next 5 years.

My kid hasn't minded the quads at all. They actually think it's pretty cool.

[Anonymous]

For general ed kids in Haycock, if they are advance in just one or two subjects, can they attend the GT classes for those classes? How about Chesterbrook?

[Anonymous]

How is Spring Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:churchill is best.

Churchill is the best overall. Avoid Chesterbrook. Haycock has the best focus on science and math. Kent Gardens has a new engineering program; many of their top students not in the French immersion program go to Churchill's AAP program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For general ed kids in Haycock, if they are advance in just one or two subjects, can they attend the GT classes for those classes? How about Chesterbrook?

No, not a Haycock

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:churchill is best.

Churchill is the best overall. Avoid Chesterbrook. Haycock has the best focus on science and math. Kent Gardens has a new engineering program; many of their top students not in the French immersion program go to Churchill's AAP program.

OP Didn't ask about Churchill!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For general ed kids in Haycock, if they are advance in just one or two subjects, can they attend the GT classes for those classes? How about Chesterbrook?

No, not a Haycock

Thanks for the information. So to clarify, if a kid is only good at Math, but not in Reading, and fail to qualify for AAP, then the kid will remain in the general ed classrooms for all subjects (including Math) in Haycock. But if the kid is in Chesterbrook, the kid will be able to take AAP Math classes, while remain in the general ed classrooms for the rest of the subjects. Is this the case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For general ed kids in Haycock, if they are advance in just one or two subjects, can they attend the GT classes for those classes? How about Chesterbrook?

No, not a Haycock

Thanks for the information. So to clarify, if a kid is only good at Math, but not in Reading, and fail to qualify for AAP, then the kid will remain in the general ed classrooms for all subjects (including Math) in Haycock. But if the kid is in Chesterbrook, the kid will be able to take AAP Math classes, while remain in the general ed classrooms for the rest of the subjects. Is this the case?

Unlikely

The AAP kids at most schools are kept separate from the general ed kids. There is flexible grouping for AAP kids in math and flexible grouping for general ed kids in math...but never the twain shall meet. (typically because the AAP kids are working at least a grade level ahead in math)

[Anonymous]

PP - this is not true. My DS is in 4th grade in the AAP program (Level IV) at Chesterbrook. Kids who do not test into Level IV at Chesterbrook can take up to 3 out of the 4 AAP classes (math, science, social studies, and language arts) if they test into the class based on ability. This is not true at AAP centers (I don't know about other Local Level IV programs). Chesterbrooks' AAP program is run by a woman who used to run the program at Churchill. She has been vocal in her belief that the Chesterbrook AAP model is better for all students, but I know some people disagree. I love the program as while I have one kid that tested into the Level IV program, I have 2 other kids behind him who may not qualify for Level IV but who may excel at one or more subjects. FWIW, we LOVE Chesterbrook. If you are considering moving to the school district I recommend you take a tour and meet the principle. He's exceptional - the teachers are happy and loyal, there is a very involved parent population, and a fantastic PTA (all money raised is poured back into the school - and they raise 4x more than our old private school).

[Anonymous]

All of the elementary schools are going to be offering (or already do offer) accelerated math (which means the kids are doing a year ahead or two years ahead). Some will be able to take the algebra SOL in 6th grade --- even at non Level IV and non-AAP centers. This is supposed to be part of the curriculum in all elementary schools in Ffx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP - this is not true. My DS is in 4th grade in the AAP program (Level IV) at Chesterbrook. Kids who do not test into Level IV at Chesterbrook can take up to 3 out of the 4 AAP classes (math, science, social studies, and language arts) if they test into the class based on ability. This is not true at AAP centers (I don't know about other Local Level IV programs). Chesterbrooks' AAP program is run by a woman who used to run the program at Churchill. She has been vocal in her belief that the Chesterbrook AAP model is better for all students, but I know some people disagree. I love the program as while I have one kid that tested into the Level IV program, I have 2 other kids behind him who may not qualify for Level IV but who may excel at one or more subjects. FWIW, we LOVE Chesterbrook. If you are considering moving to the school district I recommend you take a tour and meet the principle. He's exceptional - the teachers are happy and loyal, there is a very involved parent population, and a fantastic PTA (all money raised is poured back into the school - and they raise 4x more than our old private school).

Thanks for the information, PP. We saw two houses we like, one feeds into Haycock and one is in Chesterbrook. The flexibility of AAP program in Chesterbrook will swing our decision for the Chesterbrook house. Thank you so much!!