Will Appletree ever expand?

[Anonymous]

It seems such a shame that Appletree only goes through PK. If the program went through 5th, many more people would accept spots. (Right now, they go deep into the waitlists.) Just curious if anyone knows whether they plan to expand at all. I know Bridges used to just go through PK and now is expanding to 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

We attended Appletree (and LOVED it!), and while I've not heard any plans for them to expand past PK (except possibly to go back to offering K, which I understand they did at some point), what they HAVE been talking about is developing a "feeder" type of relationship to some other elementary schools. The few names I heard thrown around were not necessarily the most difficult ones to get into, but it makes sense to at least explore this option given that they lose families that love them between PS and PK all the time if those families get a more attractive long-term option.

But who knows, maybe there are bigger/new plans to consider actually expanding? Just seems like they have a really specific PS/PK model that is specialized.

[Anonymous]

Good question to ask if they are at the school expo this Saturday...

[Anonymous]

A feeder program would be great! However, I imagine this is a long-term plan--wouldn't that require a change in the charter law? (Or maybe a change in a few schools' charters, since it seems like DCI has a feeder pattern to it.)

Part of what I suspect makes Appletree so good is that they only do preschool, so they do it really well. If they expand, I wonder if they would not be as strong in the other grades, or not be able to be as research-based.

Any thoughts on what schools they might feed to? With locations all over the city, I could see needing more than one school to feed to.

[Anonymous]

It's worth noting that they would have to do a lot of work to expand their curriculum upwards. From what I've heard most charters that offer preschool/pre-k the ECE curriculum is an afterthought or non existant. Apple Tree is unusual for having such a strong curriculum.

[Anonymous]

When I visited, I did not like a lot of the strict policies - such as attendance - you canot leave for part of the day and return (drs appt - sibling event at another school)
the Sit and Look Chair, the aftercare program.

I think they do Early Education well - but so do a lot of other schools with more relaxed approaches.

[Anonymous]

What didn't you like about after care? Thanks, we are considering, and aftercare is a key part of the equation.

[Anonymous]

ok what is the sit and look chair?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I visited, I did not like a lot of the strict policies - such as attendance - you canot leave for part of the day and return (drs appt - sibling event at another school)
the Sit and Look Chair, the aftercare program.

I think they do Early Education well - but so do a lot of other schools with more relaxed approaches.

Who told you you can't take your child out for doc appts?? We attended and were always able to return after a doc appt. And frankly I liked the "sit & watch" chair. DC only hot sent there for acting up a few times, but it made an impression in a good way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ok what is the sit and look chair?

I think it is where they go for a time-out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I visited, I did not like a lot of the strict policies - such as attendance - you canot leave for part of the day and return (drs appt - sibling event at another school)
the Sit and Look Chair, the aftercare program.

I think they do Early Education well - but so do a lot of other schools with more relaxed approaches.

This is simply not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I visited, I did not like a lot of the strict policies - such as attendance - you canot leave for part of the day and return (drs appt - sibling event at another school)
the Sit and Look Chair, the aftercare program.

I think they do Early Education well - but so do a lot of other schools with more relaxed approaches.

This is simply not true.

Correct. You absolutely can take your kid out and bring them back for doctor's appts. Sibling events at another school, maybe not, since even though it's understandable why you'd want to go, it's not an excused absence and Appletree is hardcore about not missing school except for medical/other critical reasons. But doc appts was always and still is an excusable reason and you can bring your kid back after the appt.

Yes, sit & watch is the time-out spot.

[Anonymous]

Would love to hear more about what people like about apple tree. I was also concerned that it sounded too academic focused from a rep i spoke with, a lot of focus on reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear more about what people like about apple tree. I was also concerned that it sounded too academic focused from a rep i spoke with, a lot of focus on reading.

Funny, that is what I found attractive about it! That is one of the advantages of having lots of schools. It, in principle, gives one choices to fit what works for your child and your family.

I too am very interested to hear how people have liked Appletree. We are considering the Columbia Height location as a choice for PS3. Any sense of which types of kids have thrived versus which have not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear more about what people like about apple tree. I was also concerned that it sounded too academic focused from a rep i spoke with, a lot of focus on reading.

Funny, that is what I found attractive about it! That is one of the advantages of having lots of schools. It, in principle, gives one choices to fit what works for your child and your family.

I too am very interested to hear how people have liked Appletree. We are considering the Columbia Height location as a choice for PS3. Any sense of which types of kids have thrived versus which have not?

We attended Appletree at Columbia Heights, and it's funny, your question gets to the heart of the thing that impressed me most about Appletree: the wide range of kids who seemed to thrive there.

I'm the parent of the child who'd already done PS3 a year earlier (Dec bday and more flexible pre-school around ages). So we were really really trying to get her into a PK4 program even though she'd still be 3 by 9/30. Wasn't happening. And I know everyone believes their child is a brilliant superstar (as each parent should believe!) but we'd gotten plenty of external feedback about her vocabulary, plus she went to an awesome daycare (in our previous city) where they started Spanish and French at 2 yrs old and she already knew the days of the week, most of her alphabet sounds, etc. So we REALLY wanted a place that would meet her where she was and keep her moving, and we were really worried.

At the same time, in her class, there were kids who not only was it clear this was this their first time in an organized classroom setting, but they clearly didn't have many boundaries set for them at home. We also saw some concerning behaviour by a couple of parents/grandparents early on at drop off and were worried what their kids would be like in the classroom.

Honestly, and I am super critical most of the time, I was absolutely impressed and thrilled with how the 2 lead teachers and 3rd assistant teacher handled the classroom. I saw EACH of the kids who were both superstars, and the kids I had personal worries about, change over the course of the year. Also, there was a LOT of turnover unfortunately, so that by mid year it seemed like 1/3 of hte class was all different kids, but the teachers rolled with that as well. There was a kid in the class who was, well, everyone joked that he might as well teach the class himself, he was so smart and already doing PK4 level work at a year-end level. But they met him where he was, and he kept advancing (or so said his parents). There was one kid, sweet boy but SO hard to manage his behavior... he eventually settled in so well to the routine. I believe he really benefitted tremendously as well, although I didn't get to know his grandma as well to be able to talk to her. But we did at one point report something serious abotu her (and her behavior to the child) to the teachers, they talked to the principal, the principal and teachers met with the grandma, and whatever happened, we saw changes (positive changes) in her behavior almost immediately. I'm guessing it was a difficult but positive meeting. I was very very impressed.

We also loved the high level of developmental/academic feedback we got. My MIL is an elementary school principal in NYC, and when I sent her our child's first report from Appletree, she was all kinds of impressed with how it was organized, how detailed, and how much both qualitative and quantiftaive (where appropriate) feedback we were getting.

The only downside of CH, honestly, was the fact that the classrooms are in the basement, with no windows. That bummed me out a lot at first, but then I was surprised and amazed at how at drop off every day... the classroom was so alive and engaged, we didn't really notice. And our child loved it from day 1.

We got into our 1st choice charter for PK4, and while we didn't hesitate for a second to accept the spot, my DH and I had a lot to say to each other about how much we were going to miss Appletree and how we wished whe could keep her there 1 more year while holding the spot at the other school (which obviously we knew was impossible, but that's how much we wished she could have that 2nd year).

So that's it, that's what we liked. And Ms. Tanya the Assistant Principal (I think that's her title - she's definitel running the school though) has a big scary bark sometimes, but she is warm and wonderful and every thing she promised us the school delivered on. Really love the model of Appletree and our experience was so good.