How hard is it to get into AAP? I know nothing...

[Anonymous]

We just purchased a house zoned for Lane Elementary. We have a one year old but are hoping that this is our "forever home" and so have no plans to move. I have heard that Lane is good from the neighbors, but the information from the FCPS Profile and Great Schools makes me nervous. I'm just wondering, how difficult is it to get into the AAP program? (We are zoned for the one at Springfield Estates). I have heard AMAZING things about it and believe that would be a very solid option for us if my daughter was ultimately admitted. Of course, I have no idea if she is gifted or not because she's one, but are we talking next to impossible, like TJ, or is it not too difficult for your average bright kid?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Part of why I'm thinking about this now is because I'd like to know if we need to/will want to budget for private school or not.

[Anonymous]

It's not nearly as hard as getting into TJ. Many years ago, only 1-2% of the students were admitted to AAP (then called GT). That number creeped up to about 16% in recent years. Fairfax changed the test and criteria this year, and the prevailing wisdom is that perhaps far fewer students will be admitted this year (and years going forward). But no one knows. Start budgeting for a WISC IQ test (it's about $350) and if your child gets 130 or better, that's like gold in your pocket.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. It is much easier to get into AAP now, particularly if you're willing to push. What you need to consider as your child gets older is whether or not AAP is the place for her. My oldest was in AAP when it was called GT and really thrived because the work came easy to him, was challenging and he was very into school. My other two stayed at their base school and were leaders and at the top of their classes. They're now both in middle school and doing better than many AAP kids, even in in Honors Algebra and Geometry. Should I have pushed to get them in AAP? While I'm sure each could have handled it, I never even referred because I know every kid is different and sensed they'd be happy at our neighborhood school. I've never regretted my decision.

Given how young your daughter is, I wouldn't worry about AAP just yet. While second grade will be here before you know it, there's no guarantee that the AAP program then will look like it does now. The current philosophy seems to be making the centers more inclusive and getting more Level IV programs in neighborhood schools. The idea that advanced kids need to be at a separate center to find critical mass is tough argument to make these days given the volume of kids in AAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PP. It is much easier to get into AAP now, particularly if you're willing to push. What you need to consider as your child gets older is whether or not AAP is the place for her. My oldest was in AAP when it was called GT and really thrived because the work came easy to him, was challenging and he was very into school. My other two stayed at their base school and were leaders and at the top of their classes. They're now both in middle school and doing better than many AAP kids, even in in Honors Algebra and Geometry. Should I have pushed to get them in AAP? While I'm sure each could have handled it, I never even referred because I know every kid is different and sensed they'd be happy at our neighborhood school. I've never regretted my decision.

Given how young your daughter is, I wouldn't worry about AAP just yet. While second grade will be here before you know it, there's no guarantee that the AAP program then will look like it does now. The current philosophy seems to be making the centers more inclusive and getting more Level IV programs in neighborhood schools. The idea that advanced kids need to be at a separate center to find critical mass is tough argument to make these days given the volume of kids in AAP

Excellent advice here!

I especially like:

Should I have pushed to get them in AAP? While I'm sure each could have handled it, I never even referred because I know every kid is different and sensed they'd be happy at our neighborhood school. I've never regretted my decision.

My two kids are in AAP and they were not very happy at their base school. Now at their AAP Center they are happy and have great friends that "get" them, each in their own unique way. (And no, I did not "push" them into AAP. )

I also like:

The idea that advanced kids need to be at a separate center to find critical mass is tough argument to make these days given the volume of kids in AAP

I agree with this, too! Some schools (such as Spring Hill ES and Wolf Trap ES, both with Local Level IV programs) have enough kids in the base school to meet the "critical mass" measure. Other schools do not. "Volume" of Center eligible AAP students is not consistent from school to school across the county.

You can get a sense of how many children from your base school are AAP Center eligible by using Dashboard:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/dashboard/

Go to the Capacity and Enrollment dashboard, then select the elementary school you would like to view. Then mouseover the "AAP Out" bar (it is the blue bar) to see how many students from that base school that have transferred out. For Lane ES, there are a total of 46 students (total of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders) that have opted for the assigned AAP Center. That is not as great a "critical mass" as schools such as Spring Hill and Wolf Trap.

[Anonymous]

Very difficult if you are white. They want minorities and 2E kids.

[Anonymous]

Can she read yet? That’s important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very difficult if you are white. They want minorities and 2E kids.

+1

They replaced the GBRS score with the DEI-slanted “HOPE” scale, to the disadvantage of white students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very difficult if you are white. They want minorities and 2E kids.

+1

They replaced the GBRS score with the DEI-slanted “HOPE” scale, to the disadvantage of white students.

Opting out of the HOPE is your only hope.

[Anonymous]

Some of these people are trolling, OP. It's not impossible but it's about 10% in second grade at our school - so 9-10 kids in their class. I wouldn't make decisions to bank on it.

FWIW we have friends who are extremely happy with Lane Elementary for their three kids. Don't take the school ratings as gospel. For the most part, FCPS elementary schools are great.

[Anonymous]

I think it varies ALOT by school. We are at a high SES center school and well over ⅓ of kids at our school get in. We only take kids from one other elementary into the center (probably less than 5-6 kids) and have enough to fill 2 classes of 18-20

[Anonymous]

It's not difficult, make sure your iready is above 90% and do some prep on NNAT and CoGAT. About 20-30% gets in.

I mean, there is nothing extra you can do much for K-2 grade. Drawing, writing, and +/- is all they do. Just chill to see how they do in K.

[Anonymous]

Uh, this is a 12-year old thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just purchased a house zoned for Lane Elementary. We have a one year old but are hoping that this is our "forever home" and so have no plans to move. I have heard that Lane is good from the neighbors, but the information from the FCPS Profile and Great Schools makes me nervous. I'm just wondering, how difficult is it to get into the AAP program? (We are zoned for the one at Springfield Estates). I have heard AMAZING things about it and believe that would be a very solid option for us if my daughter was ultimately admitted. Of course, I have no idea if she is gifted or not because she's one, but are we talking next to impossible, like TJ, or is it not too difficult for your average bright kid?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Part of why I'm thinking about this now is because I'd like to know if we need to/will want to budget for private school or not.

Hi OP, Is your kid currently in AAP love a follow-up post if you are still on here!

[Anonymous]

Be class parent, PTA, do Kumon, kiss up to everybody, test prep, like take test 40 times to practice at home.

[Anonymous]

The teacher has to like your kid. This is #1.