AppleTree Public Charter preschool - candid opinions please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the positive comments. BUT, are there no negatives? Anyone have a less than spectacular experience with the school? Thanks in advance.

Only negatives for Columbia Heights are 2: it's in the basement so no windows to outside except for cafeteria, and the playground behind the school is pretty tiny. But I swear, neither seems to bother the kids at all.

[Anonymous]

One thing about Appletree that is really unique is that they only focus on early childhood ed, that's it, which is one reason they are not expanding to older grades. Because of this focus, their curriculum and teaching is really focused on how 3-5 yr olds learn and mature. We've found the results there to be so impressive because the teaching is so tailored to the kids' needs. There were some growing pains with the Lincoln Park campus last year we weren't thrilled with, but this year has been smooth sailing and we've been pretty blown away with how much our child has learned in two years. We're looking at language immersion schools for K as a way to really challenge her now because we fear she's going to be bored with a traditional curriculum.

[Anonymous]

There doesn't seem to be much difference between a kindergarten student who did DCPS ps/pk and an appletree alumnus. The big difference is whether the parent works with their child and supports them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There doesn't seem to be much difference between a kindergarten student who did DCPS ps/pk and an appletree alumnus. The big difference is whether the parent works with their child and supports them.

Really? Do most DCPS kindergarten students read? I find the idea that there is not much difference VERY difficult to believe. Current Appletree parent here. My child has learned an amazing amount this year not least social and behavior skills, but yeah, he's reading at 3 years old (a young three too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There doesn't seem to be much difference between a kindergarten student who did DCPS ps/pk and an appletree alumnus. The big difference is whether the parent works with their child and supports them.

What's your basis for this statement? The playground we frequent seems to indicate otherwise = it's interesting how many of the smarter sounding kids (based on what they talk about, questions they ask, social skills) seem to be consistently from Appletree near us. I know that's anecdotal, but it's been striking.

What are you basing your judgement on that Appletree outcomes are the same as DCPS?

[Anonymous]

Just an FYI - I saw on Appletree's website that they are having two extra open house tour days next week if it would help to see the campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There doesn't seem to be much difference between a kindergarten student who did DCPS ps/pk and an appletree alumnus. The big difference is whether the parent works with their child and supports them.

PP not disagreeing that parents involved with their children and supporting them/their educations makes a huge difference, but on top of that I still see a difference with Appletree kids. You still haven't provided a basis for your statement that there is no difference. I'm going to assume that means you didn't really have one to start with.

[Anonymous]

NP here - apparently studies show that, whenever kids learn to read, it all evens out by about age 7. So whether they start at 2 or 6, all other factors being equal, they are about the same by 7. So when the PP said there wasn't much difference between alums from appletree and DCPS, they could be right.

That said, I agree that kids at DCPS PS3 and preK don't learn to read. That starts at K. At my kids' school they are almost proud of not teaching reading and writing.

[Anonymous]

The focus on academics is what worries me about Appletree. Studies show that play based programs are very effective at giving preschoolers the skills they will need to be academically successful in ES. I am not looking for my child to be taught reading before K--just don't think it will lead to long-term better outcomes (as PP noted), possibly at the expense of other skills I would like her to develop, whih ply-based programs are really good at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The focus on academics is what worries me about Appletree. Studies show that play based programs are very effective at giving preschoolers the skills they will need to be academically successful in ES. I am not looking for my child to be taught reading before K--just don't think it will lead to long-term better outcomes (as PP noted), possibly at the expense of other skills I would like her to develop, whih ply-based programs are really good at.

That's a legitimate worry. And I think Appletree is really up front about their model, which is not going to be for everyone.

[Anonymous]

I've observed a dcps school that has a mix of kindergarten students who went to apple tree, dcps pre k, daycare or nothing at all. The ex appletree kids don't especially stand out but kids who have involved parents do. of course many of the apple tree grads go to private or charter school.

the dcps tools of the mind program gives students a solid foundation in letter sounds and shapes but they don't start reading until kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

I really appreciated the focus on academics, but mainly for me that's because my DC was in a PS3 program in another state when she was 2-3, so when we got to DC and were told that she was still going into a PS-3 and no way would they put her in PK4 (because of her birthday), we were worried she would stall or regress in her learning. So the academic focus felt like the next best move for her, and she's doing well in PS-3 on indicators that measure where she should be at the end of PK-4. This also suits us because next year we're fortunate that she'll be going to an immersion school and we want her to feel really comfy with the academic part to basically free up more of her mind/energy/attention to the language learning, which will be new to her.

So like all these decisions, you have to look at what's best for your kid and your family. We love Appletree and are very grateful for its model!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The focus on academics is what worries me about Appletree. Studies show that play based programs are very effective at giving preschoolers the skills they will need to be academically successful in ES. I am not looking for my child to be taught reading before K--just don't think it will lead to long-term better outcomes (as PP noted), possibly at the expense of other skills I would like her to develop, whih ply-based programs are really good at.

That's a legitimate worry. And I think Appletree is really up front about their model, which is not going to be for everyone.

I'm the pp with the concern you quoted. And I totally agree--AT is totally up front about what they offer, and if is what you are looking for, then it sounds like it is a fantastic program. I just am not sure it would be best for my daughter. I really appreciate how up-front AT is about its model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The focus on academics is what worries me about Appletree. Studies show that play based programs are very effective at giving preschoolers the skills they will need to be academically successful in ES. I am not looking for my child to be taught reading before K--just don't think it will lead to long-term better outcomes (as PP noted), possibly at the expense of other skills I would like her to develop, whih ply-based programs are really good at.

I think you have misunderstood AppleTree's model if you think that it is not play based. There is a great balance between academics and play. The academics are taught through play. It's not like the kids all sit there all day reciting numbers or the alphabet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The focus on academics is what worries me about Appletree. Studies show that play based programs are very effective at giving preschoolers the skills they will need to be academically successful in ES. I am not looking for my child to be taught reading before K--just don't think it will lead to long-term better outcomes (as PP noted), possibly at the expense of other skills I would like her to develop, whih ply-based programs are really good at.

I think you have misunderstood AppleTree's model if you think that it is not play based. There is a great balance between academics and play. The academics are taught through play. It's not like the kids all sit there all day reciting numbers or the alphabet.

In not saying it's rote memorization--but it is not a play-based program. It's age appropriate, but on the scale it is oriented toward academics. This I a great primer on the difference between these philosophies: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/going-to-school/choosing/comparing-preschool-philosophies/

From that article:

Play-Based
In a play-based program, children choose activities based on their current interests. The term “play-based” is often interchanged with “child-centered,” which could be used to describe the majority of available preschool programs. The play-based classroom is broken up into sections, such as a home or kitchen, science area, water table, reading nook, space with blocks and other toys, or other areas. Teachers encourage the kids to play, facilitating social skills along the way. “Even though it seems like they are just playing, they are learning valuable skills, including important social skills and cooperation with others, learning about signs (as most items are labeled), and early math,” says Jenifer Wana, author of “How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child.”