Irving to be AAP center – sad

[Anonymous]

I got notice on Friday that Irving will now be an AAP center school for middle school kids and all level 4 students will be grouped in factions for their studies (I think they will be called erudite). I kinda wanted my DC to have “normal” middle school time. DC will already be 2 high school classes with Algebra and German. I’d like to leave time for music lessons, scouts, church and sports - oh and maybe family time or friend time! But now I’m told the kids will be grouped and I’m expecting an avalanche of homework from the additional AAP classes. If I wanted DC in AAP classes Lake Braddock was an option. Am I the only one who is trying to opt out of this AAP madness. We don’t live in a world group by factions, I’d like for my DC to not spend the school day separated into factions. yes, we had our little faction at Orange Hunt for the German vs English kids, but they were mixing kids and the older grades for "english" classes. But at least language was a lottery and all were welcome to try. The AAP faction just seems different since it's based on a test. OK vent over. I'm just sad over the loss of the well rounded child.

[Anonymous]

This is why we chose our neighborhood middle school instead of the AAP option. Classes are definitely a little easy at times for DD but she has way more time than she did in ES (AAP) for other interests and seems way less stressed. She is investing more time in band, afterschool clubs, art and has friends who will go to HS with her from all ability levels. I am glad to be done with AAP. You are not the only one who sees the problems with the program along with the benefits. Hope it works out for your DC okay--will there be time for electives?

[Anonymous]

Washington Irving Junior High school alumna here, class of 1983. I'm very sorry to hear of this decision.

Is this a back-doer way to keep the school from closing/declining population? I ask because our neighborhood FCPS elementary school was once put up on the chopping block to merge/close and then, miraculously, it was turned into a GT center and stayed open and viable.

We've gone overboard with AAP/GT.

[Anonymous]

With West Springfield bursting at the seams (and falling apart at the seams) and Lake Braddock under enrolled and still pretty new from it's rehab, I actually don't see any risk to Irving. Actually, Lake Braddock being under enrolled makes the idea of Irving being an AAP center kinda odd.

[Anonymous]

We opted out of MS AAP Center and haven't looked back. My now 8th grader is happy, has learned a bunch and does stuff at school and outside of school with no crazy pressures. It's not for everyone, and you need to figure out what works best for your family. The nice thing about having it at your base school is that it's not a big move if you go to/leave a center program - you are still at the same school.

[Anonymous]

I hope your child has a good experience at Irving. Attending an AAP MS can be fine if you prepare your child to take things in stride.

I do think these surprise announcements speak very poorly of the new Superintendent, Karen Garza. People complained about Jack Dale, but there was more advance notice of what FCPS was planning when he was in charge. Things just happen now, and people scurry to find out what's going on. She needs to step up her game or go back to Texas.

[Anonymous]

I sincerely hope they will stop the expansion of AAP into middle schools. It's already gotten out of control on the elementary school level, and I'm speaking as a parent of a current AAP student. To be perfectly honest, I was shocked when my DC was in pool, and then accepted into the program. I think DC is very bright, but I had thought AAP was a gifted program and I don't think DC is "gifted". At any rate, I also hope for a "normal" experience once DC gets to middle school. I'm sure we'll be over the AAP silliness by then.

[Anonymous]

You do not have to enroll your child in the AAP classes, you can choose to enroll them in the Honors or General Ed classes. I know several families at Longfellow who opted for the Honors classes over the AAP classes for their children and haven't looked back.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean when you say Lake Braddock is under enrolled? The middle school AAP or just overall under enrollment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope your child has a good experience at Irving. Attending an AAP MS can be fine if you prepare your child to take things in stride.

I do think these surprise announcements speak very poorly of the new Superintendent, Karen Garza. People complained about Jack Dale, but there was more advance notice of what FCPS was planning when he was in charge. Things just happen now, and people scurry to find out what's going on. She needs to step up her game or go back to Texas.

Why would Garza add an AAP center when there are so many complaints about the program. Makes no sense to me. Who the hell is she getting her information from?? I do not understand what is fueling this expansion when it seems so many want a change to this program not just more growth as is!!

[Anonymous]

The program at Washington Irving will not be a level 4 center, rather an expansion of their local level 4 services. The AAP office is evidently not involved in what they are doing. I would imagine you can opt out your level 4 student out of participating if you don't want them involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The program at Washington Irving will not be a level 4 center, rather an expansion of their local level 4 services. The AAP office is evidently not involved in what they are doing. I would imagine you can opt out your level 4 student out of participating if you don't want them involved.

I agree. I saw this notice and it reads to me that they are putting together one team that consists of all AAP-qualified kids whose classes will all be honors, with math being either 7th grade honors or honors algebra I, but it is not becoming an AAP center. If you feel your child would benefit from staying in the AAP program for middle school, you still have the option of Lake Braddock, which has been an AAP/GT center for quite some time. Some families will prefer the honors program, some will prefer the AAP center. It really depends on what would work best for each child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope your child has a good experience at Irving. Attending an AAP MS can be fine if you prepare your child to take things in stride.

I do think these surprise announcements speak very poorly of the new Superintendent, Karen Garza. People complained about Jack Dale, but there was more advance notice of what FCPS was planning when he was in charge. Things just happen now, and people scurry to find out what's going on. She needs to step up her game or go back to Texas.

Why would Garza add an AAP center when there are so many complaints about the program. Makes no sense to me. Who the hell is she getting her information from?? I do not understand what is fueling this expansion when it seems so many want a change to this program not just more growth as is!!

Could not have said it better! I am wondering the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The program at Washington Irving will not be a level 4 center, rather an expansion of their local level 4 services. The AAP office is evidently not involved in what they are doing. I would imagine you can opt out your level 4 student out of participating if you don't want them involved.

I agree. I saw this notice and it reads to me that they are putting together one team that consists of all AAP-qualified kids whose classes will all be honors, with math being either 7th grade honors or honors algebra I, but it is not becoming an AAP center. If you feel your child would benefit from staying in the AAP program for middle school, you still have the option of Lake Braddock, which has been an AAP/GT center for quite some time. Some families will prefer the honors program, some will prefer the AAP center. It really depends on what would work best for each child.

Why would the school group the level IV kids together and tell the parents? (I'm sure they could have don this without telling the parents. Just like some classes in school got "good" mixes and other don't). I would think that the parents wanted the kids at Irving, AAP wasn't a concern for them, they were fine with honors. I agree with the OP - why "label" all the level 4 kids as such? Are they too good to mix with the general population?

I don't think the superintendent has anything to do with this - It's a kinda "in the weeds" issue only effecting a handful of students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The program at Washington Irving will not be a level 4 center, rather an expansion of their local level 4 services. The AAP office is evidently not involved in what they are doing. I would imagine you can opt out your level 4 student out of participating if you don't want them involved.

I agree. I saw this notice and it reads to me that they are putting together one team that consists of all AAP-qualified kids whose classes will all be honors, with math being either 7th grade honors or honors algebra I, but it is not becoming an AAP center. If you feel your child would benefit from staying in the AAP program for middle school, you still have the option of Lake Braddock, which has been an AAP/GT center for quite some time. Some families will prefer the honors program, some will prefer the AAP center. It really depends on what would work best for each child.

Why would the school group the level IV kids together and tell the parents? (I'm sure they could have don this without telling the parents. Just like some classes in school got "good" mixes and other don't). I would think that the parents wanted the kids at Irving, AAP wasn't a concern for them, they were fine with honors. I agree with the OP - why "label" all the level 4 kids as such? Are they too good to mix with the general population?
I don't think the superintendent has anything to do with this - It's a kinda "in the weeds" issue only effecting a handful of students.

The bolded above is exactly why I have a problem with AAP. Not giving students advanced work, but the labeling that goes with it. And the notion that the "peer group" of all AAP kids is somehow better. Parents who think that way are one reason AAP has gotten such a bad name.