Luther Jackson or Thoreau?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all the comments, they've been very helpful.

It seems LJ is more academically intense, which to me makes sense since it AAP center designation probably makes the AAP curriculum a high priority and core mission.

I had heard Thoreau was building up their AAP offerings, maybe they aren't quite at the LJ level of intensity and maybe that's not their intention? Or are they quickly closing the gap?

We aren't too wrapped into the Vienna scene or and our daughter isn't team sports focused, and aren't necessarily going for the most intense AAP program possible. The social aspect of going to Madison and not knowing alot of the other kids is a big consideration for us assuming Thoreau has a perfectly fine AAP program. But what I'm hearing is it may be close but not quite there yet? She is very advanced in math and to be with other peers that are academically advanced would be good for her in our view.

If your D.C. Is very advanced in math, is she considering applying to TJ? If so, that should make your decision for you. LJ just has a better track record on admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all the comments, they've been very helpful.

It seems LJ is more academically intense, which to me makes sense since it AAP center designation probably makes the AAP curriculum a high priority and core mission.

I had heard Thoreau was building up their AAP offerings, maybe they aren't quite at the LJ level of intensity and maybe that's not their intention? Or are they quickly closing the gap?

We aren't too wrapped into the Vienna scene or and our daughter isn't team sports focused, and aren't necessarily going for the most intense AAP program possible. The social aspect of going to Madison and not knowing alot of the other kids is a big consideration for us assuming Thoreau has a perfectly fine AAP program. But what I'm hearing is it may be close but not quite there yet? She is very advanced in math and to be with other peers that are academically advanced would be good for her in our view.

If your D.C. Is very advanced in math, is she considering applying to TJ? If so, that should make your decision for you. LJ just has a better track record on admissions.

Neither LJ nor Thoreau sends many kids to TJ compared to Carson, Longfellow, Rocky Run or Kilmer.

[Anonymous]

You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all the comments, they've been very helpful.

It seems LJ is more academically intense, which to me makes sense since it AAP center designation probably makes the AAP curriculum a high priority and core mission.

I had heard Thoreau was building up their AAP offerings, maybe they aren't quite at the LJ level of intensity and maybe that's not their intention? Or are they quickly closing the gap?

We aren't too wrapped into the Vienna scene or and our daughter isn't team sports focused, and aren't necessarily going for the most intense AAP program possible. The social aspect of going to Madison and not knowing alot of the other kids is a big consideration for us assuming Thoreau has a perfectly fine AAP program. But what I'm hearing is it may be close but not quite there yet? She is very advanced in math and to be with other peers that are academically advanced would be good for her in our view.

Did you go to the AAP info night, OP? I think they had one in the past month. I would definitely recommend talking to the dir. of student services at each school and getting a better idea. You may be able to find powerpoint presentations on line as well. It's true that TMS's AAP program is smaller and just taking root. They are definitely wanting to keep those kids at TMS to make the program bigger. LJMS's aap program has been around longer. I cannot speak to the specific curriculum differences b/t the two aap programs.

As you may know TMS just finished a renovation and it is like a new school. My child goes there and when I first saw it this year, I thought "this is too nice to be a public middle school!" As a result of the renovation, TMS is now undercapacity by about 400 students. LJMS is severely over-capacity now and is expected to get worse over the coming years. The most recent CIP recommends re-zoning the western-most elem schools (not the aap kids -- but everyone) out of LJMS and into TMS (these are areas that now attend LJMS---OaktonHS). Many people expect that the AAP kids who are zoned for TMS--> Madison (and any rezoned kids) will be assigned to attend AAP at TMS rather than having the option to go to LJMS.

Let's face it. It's kind of absurd for kids zoned for TMS (which is under capacity) to be filling seats at LJMS (which is severely over capacity). It hasn't been done yet, but it would be an easy (partial) solution. For those who prefer LJMS's aap, well, good news -- our school board is so painfully slow and conflict averse that this will probably not be implemented for 2 years. If my child was zoned for LJMS (based on address), I wouldn't be too happy to have kids from out of zone coming in and making a crowded situation worse!

So, OP, it's possible that if you send your child to LJMS, she will be among the last Thoreau-zoned kids to have the option to go to LJMS.

As for math --- Just looking at last year's SOL data, TMS had 40 kids taking and passing Geometry. (100% passrate). As you know, they are in the process of developing their AAP program. But, that number tells you what your child will have for peers in adv. math. That was likely two classrooms of 20 kids each. At LJMS, there were 97 kids taking Geometry. Clearly, a bigger program of AAP kids. But, similar results. Just things to consider.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

Actually, you're an idiot if you think touting LJ's poor record (for an AAP Center) of placing kids into TJ is very relevant to anyone trying to decide between these two middle schools. But please go on, it's actually quite amusing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a kid a Thoreau who is being cyber bullied at Thoreau in really terrible, scary ways way above and beyond typical middle school bullying and BS (threats of rape, posting x-rated porn on their social media account, telling them they have no friends, everyone hates them and they should leave,etc) to the point the admin police have become involved, based on a number and type of threats. The parents have tried working with the school, but the situation is getting worse not better, and they are looking at needing to pull their child out mid year. If that type of thing is going on on a widespread basis in middle schoo and the administration can't effectively address it, I would't send my kid there.

I have a child at TMS (not aap) and this is not "wide spread" -- thank god b/c it sounds absolutely horrible. I don't know anything about this issue. My child is more of a wall flower but has had no concerns with bullying. Thoreau is very welcoming and well-run. Lots of communication, lots of support for extras (pta) -- kind of "the land of milk and honey". But, I wouldn't put it past middle schoolers to bully someone. I am heart-broken to hear that any kid at TMS is being victimized as you describe. It is not typical, but it is cause for the administration to lay down the law and punish whoever is responsible. There is absolutely no excuse for anything like you describe. It does not represent TMS.

There was bad cyberbullying going on at Kilmer when my kids were there a few years ago. One of the perpetrators was suspended and transferred to Luther Jackson. Cyberbullying goes on wherever there are kids and social media. All the local middle schools have dealt with it and are dealing with it. I would not use a rumor you heard about one school to determine where to send your kid to middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

Actually, you're an idiot if you think touting LJ's poor record (for an AAP Center) of placing kids into TJ is very relevant to anyone trying to decide between these two middle schools. But please go on, it's actually quite amusing!

Consider the possibility that kids at LJ are more likely to want to go to the base high school (Madison and Oakton for AAP kids) rather than TJ. I know kids that could have gotten in if they applied, but they did not see the advantage. (in one case, the child has strong ties to madison/vienna; in a few other cases, sports played a roll).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

Actually, you're an idiot if you think touting LJ's poor record (for an AAP Center) of placing kids into TJ is very relevant to anyone trying to decide between these two middle schools. But please go on, it's actually quite amusing!

Consider the possibility that kids at LJ are more likely to want to go to the base high school (Madison and Oakton for AAP kids) rather than TJ. I know kids that could have gotten in if they applied, but they did not see the advantage. (in one case, the child has strong ties to madison/vienna; in a few other cases, sports played a roll).

Different issue, since PP was specifically touting LJ's advantage over Thoreau in getting kids into TJ as a major selling point in LJ's favor in a prior post.

And aren't there AAP kids at LJ zoned for Falls Church, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

Actually, you're an idiot if you think touting LJ's poor record (for an AAP Center) of placing kids into TJ is very relevant to anyone trying to decide between these two middle schools. But please go on, it's actually quite amusing!

Jackson has a poor record compared to Carson. But still a decent record. 38 semifinalists last year, 11 admits, slightly fewer than LBSS, the same as Twain. Better than some AAP Centers (like Hughes). Thoreau, on the other hand, had 10 semifinalists and fewer than 5 admits (too small to report). So yes, Carson may be the best choice, but if you are zoned for Jackson/Thoreau, and have a kid who is interested in TJ (which is a big if) Jackson is the better choice.

[Anonymous]

Thoureau is our neighborhood school and our daughter goes to LJ. You're very fortunate in that both are good schools and I really don't think you can make a bad decision. The LJ aap program seems pretty intense to me and my DD complains that there is too much work, but she also says she's learning a lot and doesn't regret choosing LJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thoureau is our neighborhood school and our daughter goes to LJ. You're very fortunate in that both are good schools and I really don't think you can make a bad decision. The LJ aap program seems pretty intense to me and my DD complains that there is too much work, but she also says she's learning a lot and doesn't regret choosing LJ.

This is typical... And in two years, she will see her friends from Thoreau struggling with the workload.

[Anonymous]

It's a crime that Thoreau is 400 students under capacity, while nearby Kilmer and Luther Jackson are overcrowded. FCPS needs to get it's act together and adjust this imbalance ASAP. If that means some AAP kids and their parents lose their Goldilocks status and don't get to evaluate several schools before they deign to attend one, so be it. Middle school is two freaking years out of a 12/13 year education. The vast majority of kids spend more of this time trying to figure out where they fit in the social hierarchy than worrying about how much they're learning in school. Mostly it's the parents who seem to have forgotten what it's like to be a teenager who are to blame for our current unequal system.

Take a chill pill, please! Your brilliant kid, if he or she is truly that special will have an equal chance of getting into TJ from any one of these good schools. If not, it really doesn't matter which school they attend.

--signed, a mom whose AAP and non-AAP kids are currently attending the same top university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a crime that Thoreau is 400 students under capacity, while nearby Kilmer and Luther Jackson are overcrowded. FCPS needs to get it's act together and adjust this imbalance ASAP. If that means some AAP kids and their parents lose their Goldilocks status and don't get to evaluate several schools before they deign to attend one, so be it. Middle school is two freaking years out of a 12/13 year education. The vast majority of kids spend more of this time trying to figure out where they fit in the social hierarchy than worrying about how much they're learning in school. Mostly it's the parents who seem to have forgotten what it's like to be a teenager who are to blame for our current unequal system.

Take a chill pill, please! Your brilliant kid, if he or she is truly that special will have an equal chance of getting into TJ from any one of these good schools. If not, it really doesn't matter which school they attend.

--signed, a mom whose AAP and non-AAP kids are currently attending the same top university.

Thoreau is under capacity because they just finished (or are finishing) a renovation. It is not a crime; it is that Thoreau was not under capacity until this year. In a year or two, Thoreau will be a center, and LJ kids from madison will not have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are an idiot. No one is talking about any other MS except LJMS and TMS. When comparing the "aap" at TMS vs the aap center at LJMS, LJ does better hands down. Again, these are the only schools being discussed on this particular thread. Let's keep it as such.

Actually, you're an idiot if you think touting LJ's poor record (for an AAP Center) of placing kids into TJ is very relevant to anyone trying to decide between these two middle schools. But please go on, it's actually quite amusing!

Consider the possibility that kids at LJ are more likely to want to go to the base high school (Madison and Oakton for AAP kids) rather than TJ. I know kids that could have gotten in if they applied, but they did not see the advantage. (in one case, the child has strong ties to madison/vienna; in a few other cases, sports played a roll).

Different issue, since PP was specifically touting LJ's advantage over Thoreau in getting kids into TJ as a major selling point in LJ's favor in a prior post.

And aren't there AAP kids at LJ zoned for Falls Church, too?

Yes, but most of the kids in AAP go to madison or oakton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a crime that Thoreau is 400 students under capacity, while nearby Kilmer and Luther Jackson are overcrowded. FCPS needs to get it's act together and adjust this imbalance ASAP. If that means some AAP kids and their parents lose their Goldilocks status and don't get to evaluate several schools before they deign to attend one, so be it. Middle school is two freaking years out of a 12/13 year education. The vast majority of kids spend more of this time trying to figure out where they fit in the social hierarchy than worrying about how much they're learning in school. Mostly it's the parents who seem to have forgotten what it's like to be a teenager who are to blame for our current unequal system.

Take a chill pill, please! Your brilliant kid, if he or she is truly that special will have an equal chance of getting into TJ from any one of these good schools. If not, it really doesn't matter which school they attend.

--signed, a mom whose AAP and non-AAP kids are currently attending the same top university.

Thoreau is under capacity because they just finished (or are finishing) a renovation. It is not a crime; it is that Thoreau was not under capacity until this year. In a year or two, Thoreau will be a center, and LJ kids from madison will not have a choice.

There is no reason why Thoreau should not be a center next year. The overcrowding at Kilmer in particularly is beyond the pale. Why should some kids be crammed into one school and others living the life of Riley so that poor little snowflakes and their over involved parents have a couple of years to adjust. A couple of years will be the entire middle school experience for some kids and I am so sick of the overinflated AAP calling the shots for everyone. These kids are not that special and in need of so much coddling.