Greenbriar West ES AAP center

[Anonymous]

My DD has been accepted into aap level 4 for next school year. She wil be going to Greenbriar West, but will be entering as a 4th grader. She is now attending a local private school, and we are trying to decide whether we should move her to Greenbriar or not. If there are any parents on this board whose kids go to GBW, I would appreciate your feedback on the school (teachers and programs quality, how much homework, class size,any differentiation within the classroom). Also, I would like to know how more advanced the 3rd grade curriculum is at the center so I can gauge whether DD will be behind if she enters the program as a 4th grader (I assume that most kids in the program have been there from 3rd grade). I would also like know the number of 3rd grade classes this year.
Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at the center. Loves it. I have been very happy with the quality of teaching.

Look at the FCPS website for the curriculum for each grade. AAP kids go more in depth with everything. If the grade is doing a project, AAP kids will have more requirements on their rubric ( say, their map must have 20 key elements instead of 10).

Math is one year ahead. Prepare your third grader now with fourth grade math. She'll start with fifth grade level work starting next year. AAP kids have projects...both done in class and out of class. Homework level is manageble and withing FCPS standards. My DC spend an average of 30-45 minutes a night...between math sheets, spelling, reading, and project work.

[Anonymous]

thanks for you'd feedback. in your experience, have you found the kids at the center to be more competitive against one another?
thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids in general ed. at GBW (it's our home-base school). My spouse is also a teacher there. Staff and PTA are excellent at the school! I believe the PP was spot on. The only thing you may have to worry a bit about is the math, which is a year ahead of the general education. The rest of the subjects follow the same curricula, but go into greater depth. It's a great school. I don't know how many 3rd grade classes there are, but I will say that the class sizes have grown quite a bit in the last few years. You could always call the office and ask. I believe they have an interest night in the spring as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:thanks for you'd feedback. in your experience, have you found the kids at the center to be more competitive against one another?
thanks!

A bit, but not terribly so. My child is naturally competitive, so if someone thinks they have the best grades/project/etc...it just motivates my child to work harder. The children like to top each other, but do so good-naturedly. The children do compliment each other on a job well done, and help each other. My child has had no problems getting along with most of the class. There are a couple of children that drive my child nuts, but you get that in all classes. Likewise, a few parents are over the top about their children's abilities...but there are far more parents that are sane and just nice people. There are 3-4 aap classes per grade, with class sizes comparable to the GE classes.

[Anonymous]

There will be an AAP orientation in May for children who have been accepted into the AAP program but have not given the school final notice that they will be attending. I would think you'd be invited to that, but ask anyway. They explain the program and give the children (and you) a nice tour.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all!
I will be looking out for the orientation in May.

[Anonymous]

I chose to keep our DS in her base school (local level IV) instead of moving to GBW for a variety of reasons, but I have not heard anything negative about the school in general - most parents really like it. I did hear that this year the 4th graders are in trailers and that their classes are on the larger side. Of course the larger classes can happen in any school at any time.

[Anonymous]

PP, how do you and your DS like the local level 4 program? We also have the option of staying at Powell instead of going to GBW.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind GBW was part of last year's boundary study. A large number of rising 6th graders opted to stay at GBW for their last year instead of moving to their new school. Plus,, full day kindergarten started as well, and they needed another classroom for that. So, we have three classes in trailers. Hopefully, next year will have all classes back in the building. We'll have to see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind GBW was part of last year's boundary study. A large number of rising 6th graders opted to stay at GBW for their last year instead of moving to their new school. Plus,, full day kindergarten started as well, and they needed another classroom for that. So, we have three classes in trailers. Hopefully, next year will have all classes back in the building. We'll have to see.

I'm the PP with 2 kids and a spouse at GBW. What you said is true, however, I believe there will be the same number of 6th grade AAP classes next year as there are this year - so no real number loss there. I have a feeling we'll be in for trailers for the long haul. Enrollment has been increasing every year. I hope you're right about smaller class sizes next year, but I seriously doubt it. DD has had 30+ kids in her class for the last 3 years - I think she's at 31 now but it's been as high as 34.

[Anonymous]

Yes, there will be the same number of sixth grade AAP classs next year, but how about GE? The grandfathered sixth graders currently attending are not all AAP kids, aren't they? The boundary study was supposed to eliminate the increasing population and the trailers by shifting some kids west to Poplar Tree and sending some AAP kids to Willow Springs. I'd hate it if your hunch was correct and last year's drama was for nothing.

[Anonymous]

20:01 - base school has a great class. You can email me at [e-mail] for more info.

[Anonymous]

I want to be in aap

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all!
I will be looking out for the orientation in May.

Didn't your eligibility letter give you a date for the orientation? A lot of them are as early as next week 4/10, 5/2...