Luther Jackson vs Thoreau

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since both offer AAP, is there a benefit to choosing one over the other? We are zoned for Thoreau but some of DC’s AAP friend’s (who graduate from ES this spring) are electing LJ, despite it being farther away. Would love input parents whose kids attended either (or anyone who has a general understanding of the two programs). Thanks!

My son in 7th chose Thoreau but has several friends that chose LJ. Thoreau has been easier than 5th and 6th grade at the elementary AAP center. The homework load is less than elementary and the expectations are less. He is getting As on projects and writing that his elementary school would (and did) give a 3. His friends at LJ have a lot more homework and aren’t getting straight As like most at Thoreau. LJ AAP will definitely prepare your kid for high school better.

+1 this is our experience too. LJ also have more academic oriented after-school programs like MathCounts and Science Olympiad that Thoreau does not offer.

Those programs are the golden ticket to TJ!

This is very counter intuitive but both there are fewer admits from MathCounts and Science Olympiad from LJ for the last 3 years. Similar stories from other schools as well.

These used to be golden tickets but now looks like a golden cage.

That's untrue. People like to spread these rumors to help reduce the competition.

I am writing from personal experience. We lived through this and if you have time and inclination you can piece together this information.

Child did exceptionally well in MathCounts and Science Olympiad. In fact teacher mentioned that child was the only one from school who was able to reach "x" ever in school history - she was there a long time and knows for a fact during that time period, but she mentioned she was guessing about the years prior to that. I am keeping it vague to protect identity.

We had ratings to narrow down finalists, etc. So we know where the kids fall. Surprisingly many who did well did not get in.

Regardless, I would strongly encourage everyone who is interested to do both MathCounts and Science Olympiad. It was a wonderful experience and hugely beneficial - at least to my child. TJ is not the end goal.

Agree this is about education and striving to reach one's potential.

[Anonymous]

Here is what I found:
LJ AAP teachers have this "certificate" for teaching AAP (they don’t call it a certificate but that’s basically what it is). However, most of the Thoreau teachers are working towards getting it, while one out of a few of them might have it. LJ AAP teachers teach AAP every year and are accustomed to it. However, not all the Thoreau AAP teachers teach AAP every year, so they have even less experience teaching it and dealing with AAP kids and their higher levels of thinking. LJ also has more opportunities like more (and more advanced) electives with better teachers for those too. For example, the French teacher at LJ was very kind, energetic, and enthusiastic about teaching. She said that “people think French is the best class in the building!” (Not exact words). However, the French teacher at Thoreau was not as hyped up and seemed less enthusiastic. LJ projects that they displayed seemed advanced with a high level of thinking. However, the projects that students made at Thoreau did not seem to have that same advanced thinking (based on the curriculum nights for both schools). LJ has a more free after school schedule, with late buses Monday through Thursday. If you have after school on Friday, you have to get picked up or walk home after school. However, Thoreau only has late buses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on the days there are no late buses, there are no after school activities. LJ has more opportunities for AAP students, especially relating to high school. From LJ, you can go to TJ and other advanced high schools. However, Thoreau mostly feeds into “lower-level” high schools.
I hope this was helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is what I found:
LJ AAP teachers have this "certificate" for teaching AAP (they don’t call it a certificate but that’s basically what it is). However, most of the Thoreau teachers are working towards getting it, while one out of a few of them might have it. LJ AAP teachers teach AAP every year and are accustomed to it. However, not all the Thoreau AAP teachers teach AAP every year, so they have even less experience teaching it and dealing with AAP kids and their higher levels of thinking. LJ also has more opportunities like more (and more advanced) electives with better teachers for those too. For example, the French teacher at LJ was very kind, energetic, and enthusiastic about teaching. She said that “people think French is the best class in the building!” (Not exact words). However, the French teacher at Thoreau was not as hyped up and seemed less enthusiastic. LJ projects that they displayed seemed advanced with a high level of thinking. However, the projects that students made at Thoreau did not seem to have that same advanced thinking (based on the curriculum nights for both schools). LJ has a more free after school schedule, with late buses Monday through Thursday. If you have after school on Friday, you have to get picked up or walk home after school. However, Thoreau only has late buses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on the days there are no late buses, there are no after school activities. LJ has more opportunities for AAP students, especially relating to high school. From LJ, you can go to TJ and other advanced high schools. However, Thoreau mostly feeds into “lower-level” high schools.
I hope this was helpful!

If you are into sports, go to Thoreau. If you are focused on academics, go to LJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is what I found:
LJ AAP teachers have this "certificate" for teaching AAP (they don’t call it a certificate but that’s basically what it is). However, most of the Thoreau teachers are working towards getting it, while one out of a few of them might have it. LJ AAP teachers teach AAP every year and are accustomed to it. However, not all the Thoreau AAP teachers teach AAP every year, so they have even less experience teaching it and dealing with AAP kids and their higher levels of thinking. LJ also has more opportunities like more (and more advanced) electives with better teachers for those too. For example, the French teacher at LJ was very kind, energetic, and enthusiastic about teaching. She said that “people think French is the best class in the building!” (Not exact words). However, the French teacher at Thoreau was not as hyped up and seemed less enthusiastic. LJ projects that they displayed seemed advanced with a high level of thinking. However, the projects that students made at Thoreau did not seem to have that same advanced thinking (based on the curriculum nights for both schools). LJ has a more free after school schedule, with late buses Monday through Thursday. If you have after school on Friday, you have to get picked up or walk home after school. However, Thoreau only has late buses on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on the days there are no late buses, there are no after school activities. LJ has more opportunities for AAP students, especially relating to high school. From LJ, you can go to TJ and other advanced high schools. However, Thoreau mostly feeds into “lower-level” high schools.
I hope this was helpful!

It was helpful, though perhaps not in the way you intended. As if we needed a reminder as to how over-the-top some AAP parents can be....

And since when were Madison, Oakton, and Marshall considered "lower-level" high schools?