Good VA schools for math

[Anonymous]

Which public schools in NoVA would you choose for a child who loves and excels in math? (apart from TJ which is obviously not open admission). We are moving to NoVA from out of state and have heard good things about Arlington, Fairfax, and Falls Church City...but I am looking for more specifics...DS is in 2nd grade currently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which public schools in NoVA would you choose for a child who loves and excels in math? (apart from TJ which is obviously not open admission). We are moving to NoVA from out of state and have heard good things about Arlington, Fairfax, and Falls Church City...but I am looking for more specifics...DS is in 2nd grade currently.

I could be dated, but I wouldn't move to any community that uses Everyday Math. I believe FFX did, if not still does.

[Anonymous]

All Fairfax County schools now offer advanced math to kids in 3rd - 6th grade. This is math that leads them toward possibly taking Algebra in 7th grade (or 8th).

[Anonymous]

Supposedly FCPS offers advanced math starting in kindergarten. Not necessarily the case though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Supposedly FCPS offers advanced math starting in kindergarten. Not necessarily the case though.

Several schools offer the Young Scholars program but that just means advanced work across all subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Supposedly FCPS offers advanced math starting in kindergarten. Not necessarily the case though.

I would say definitely NOT the case. K-2nd is one-size fits all. But, in 3rd and up, kids who are selected (based on CogAT, class work, etc.) go to Adv. Math every day instead of their regular math class. In 3rd grade, they do 3rd grade math and a chunk of 4th grade math. In 4th, they finish 4th grade math and do 5th grade math.... etc. When the kids are IN 5th grade, they skip the 5th grade SOL (state math test) and take the 6th grade math test instead. So, if you look at schools and their 5th grade math test scores are incongruently low -- it's because the top 1/3 of the class (or however many are in Adv. Math) didn't take it and never will take it.

[Anonymous]

You want an elementary school that will feed to Longfellow
Middle School.

[Anonymous]

Does FFX use Everyday Math as one PP suggested? Or does it depend by school?

I have heard Longfellow is known for being good for math...is that because of specific teachers or a specific curriculum...or something else? Curious what it means.

[Anonymous]

I think FFX no longer uses Every Day Math (at least at the 2 schools my kids attend but I think it is districtwide).

[Anonymous]

Longfellow has superb math teachers who design their own advanced curricula. Google Vern Williams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow has superb math teachers who design their own advanced curricula. Google Vern Williams.

What if your child is not in AAP? How is Longfellow for Gen Ed?

[Anonymous]

Because the thread asked for best school for advanced math the Longfellow response was designed around that. I have heard mixed things about Longfellow non AAP. I suspect it elevates the quality of the school overall but am certain others will not share that view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because the thread asked for best school for advanced math the Longfellow response was designed around that. I have heard mixed things about Longfellow non AAP. I suspect it elevates the quality of the school overall but am certain others will not share that view.

Is there separate math classes for honors and AAP math? Is the specialized curriculum applied to the honors math classes? I had thought AAP and honors math was the same in middle school.