APS high school or private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

Which high school was this? Not our experience at all. I would complain about this to APS.

Wakefield

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in the same position with one 1 in private and 1 in APS. I will say that your kid will be a dime a dozen at WL and the college app process will be worse than being in a smaller private. You'll have 50-100 kids applying to the same school as your kid as opposed to private... and you'll get more individual attention for the college process at a private. APS does pretty much nothing but send you webcasts to view to prepare for college apps.

Not going to comment on the idea of chances being lower from public (which is what you are saying) but many families in public pay a private college counselor and bonus, you pick someone you want who is a good fit for you not who your school employs. You can pay for the whole process to be supported or just out source some parts of it. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than private school.

I am the PP with the similar stat kid and this is my plan

Be careful who you choose because majority of these college counselors don’t have actual relationships with many of the schools. Not like a private school counselor and many cases does. Some of them claim to have “relationships“ but really they’re just looking at the kids stats to see where they think they’ll get in and help with essays.

That's more than my skillset!

Your kids can see that themselves in the APS tool....(what used to be Naviance).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

My DD also had an amazing teacher at YHS for intensified English (Ms. W). Her writing vastly improved and now its one of her strengths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I’m glad your kid had a good experience. My kid (at Wakefield) also read books, wrote papers, and got feedback in 9th grade intensified English. But compared to the number of books and papers we read and wrote in HS 30 years ago, it’s kind of pitiful. This isn’t just APS. I hear the same about FCPS. I assume it’s most public schools, but it’s an unfortunate trend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

It sounds like you have a lot invested in telling yourself the money is well spent for private school. I get it. I have one kid in private. There are good and bad teachers in all settings.

There are kids at these publics doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of feedback in AP and IB classes. Sorry to burst your bubble. It's not that unique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

My DD also had an amazing teacher at YHS for intensified English (Ms. W). Her writing vastly improved and now its one of her strengths.

Yes, this was his teacher. She is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I’m glad your kid had a good experience. My kid (at Wakefield) also read books, wrote papers, and got feedback in 9th grade intensified English. But compared to the number of books and papers we read and wrote in HS 30 years ago, it’s kind of pitiful. This isn’t just APS. I hear the same about FCPS. I assume it’s most public schools, but it’s an unfortunate trend.

I went to public high school in the early 90s and we did not really get into a serious level of reading/writing until I took AP English senior year, which at the time was the only one offered by my high school. (Might have been the only one at that time point?) Before senior year, I did about what my kids are doing. 4-5 books a year and several multi-page papers.

My observation is "back in the day" we were much more aggressively tracked into classes based on ability level and it was real tracking. Not let anyone sign up tracking. I think that would help a lot. I have seen that by around sophomore year, kids/parents who self-select and can't hack it really start bombing out.

[Anonymous]

In talking to friends APS has lots of opportunities for very smart, gifted kids at the high school level (feedback for those kids is generally pretty poor in ES/MS)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I’m glad your kid had a good experience. My kid (at Wakefield) also read books, wrote papers, and got feedback in 9th grade intensified English. But compared to the number of books and papers we read and wrote in HS 30 years ago, it’s kind of pitiful. This isn’t just APS. I hear the same about FCPS. I assume it’s most public schools, but it’s an unfortunate trend.

I would take anonymous comments from DCUM with a grain of salt. Someone was posting that that their kid's MS didn't assign books, give homework, etc. which was completely untrue. My kid was in the same grade at the same school and when confronted they shifted their language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

It sounds like you have a lot invested in telling yourself the money is well spent for private school. I get it. I have one kid in private. There are good and bad teachers in all settings.

There are kids at these publics doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of feedback in AP and IB classes. Sorry to burst your bubble. It's not that unique.

My kid is doing full IB and is doing a ton of writing and getting helpful feedback. She sometimes has to take the initiative to ask the teacher for additional feedback or more of an explanation, but I think it's good to have that experience before college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

It sounds like you have a lot invested in telling yourself the money is well spent for private school. I get it. I have one kid in private. There are good and bad teachers in all settings.

There are kids at these publics doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of feedback in AP and IB classes. Sorry to burst your bubble. It's not that unique.

My kid is doing full IB and is doing a ton of writing and getting helpful feedback. She sometimes has to take the initiative to ask the teacher for additional feedback or more of an explanation, but I think it's good to have that experience before college.

The IB Programme at W-L specifically has always involved a ton of writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

It sounds like you have a lot invested in telling yourself the money is well spent for private school. I get it. I have one kid in private. There are good and bad teachers in all settings.

There are kids at these publics doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of feedback in AP and IB classes. Sorry to burst your bubble. It's not that unique.

My kid is doing full IB and is doing a ton of writing and getting helpful feedback. She sometimes has to take the initiative to ask the teacher for additional feedback or more of an explanation, but I think it's good to have that experience before college.

The IB Programme at W-L specifically has always involved a ton of writing.

This. AP Seminar (now offered as an option to fulfill the 10th grade english requirement) and AP Research require a lot of writing and offer writing instruction. Other APs do too, but these 2 classes very specifically focus on writing skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The biggest weakness we have found in APS is the English classes. Even in intensified English, my kid has only read one book as a freshman and it was Night, which is very short. They were supposed to read Romeo and Juliet but then the teacher gave up and just had them read a summary in modern English. I think the problem is that any student can self-select into intensified classes and with English it is easier to dumb down the class than it is with math. Is that worth $60K/year, hard to say but something I think it is.

How many students does one English teacher have during a day? If she or he assigned even a 3 page paper, how many pages would she grade in one night? How could she or he possibly check them all for AI? How could she meet with the kids and the drafts of 50 kids or more? The numbers in English class just don’t allow for real back and forth on analytical thinking, the editing process, or one on one learning. It’s the weakness many of us leave public school for — and even great public schools like APS. My child graduating from one of the elite private schools here in the DC can write more clearly than many of the newly minted lawyers. For me, that is worth it.

My kid had an amazing teacher at Yorktown for intensified english. They wrote several papers and my kid got a lot of one-on-one feedback BUT I think this is because he sought it out from the teacher. It's definitely possible to get writing instruction in APS. The kid has to advocate for themselves though.

I don’t quibble at all with the idea that APS teachers are on par with the elite private schools - I do believe many are truly excellent. But they just have way way more kids. My son’s English teacher has 10 students on his class. No problem kids. All high achievers. And it has been this way for all four years. In addition, his history teacher, same boat. Four years of intensive writing instruction from 8 teachers. Not all were perfect! But, still, that versus a singular teacher who could offer feedback on drafts over and over. I also know lots of kids at W-L and YHS and none of them are writing “several” multi page pagers per year with feedback. I’m not trying to say your experience is not true and wonderful. Just offering that it sounds unique and wouldn’t in any event satisfy my desire to have kids learn to think critically and be able to communicate that in writing.

It sounds like you have a lot invested in telling yourself the money is well spent for private school. I get it. I have one kid in private. There are good and bad teachers in all settings.

There are kids at these publics doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of feedback in AP and IB classes. Sorry to burst your bubble. It's not that unique.

My kid is doing full IB and is doing a ton of writing and getting helpful feedback. She sometimes has to take the initiative to ask the teacher for additional feedback or more of an explanation, but I think it's good to have that experience before college.

The IB Programme at W-L specifically has always involved a ton of writing.

This. AP Seminar (now offered as an option to fulfill the 10th grade english requirement) and AP Research require a lot of writing and offer writing instruction. Other APs do too, but these 2 classes very specifically focus on writing skills.

I heard AP Sem was more focused on presentations than writing. Glad to hear about the writing! And agree full IB is very writing intensive. I think the difference is at a top private school all students get a lot of high quality writing instruction. in APS I think that is a combination of good teachers and picking the right classes.