2021 AAP Admissions Thread

[Anonymous]

IN
NNAT: 137
GBRS: don't know, but teacher seemed to think she should do Lvl 4 so I assume she wrote good recs
was in pool, but we also submitted work samples

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got the county email Not IN.

NNAT was mediocre 113, 84% was hoping cognat would make up a little

GBRS looks pretty positive

Work samples were a little weak (self referral), a few paintings, music theory proficiency cert. Did not find any lego stuff.

School has local Level 4, will it be possible that her school would have different decision to include her in local level 4?

And for appeals, what might be the our best bet. From the reading, I know the GMU test (pretty hefty price for a Non-IT/defense/lawyer family). The only concern is if she lost concentration during the test, that might blow the whole appeal process (seems like an one-time deal, good or wait a few more years)

She's pretty advanced in reading and math, some arts on the side too. Was hoping teacher's recommendation would make up the NNAT part..

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I would go with Level III this year. Talk to the next classroom teacher and AART to let them know you plan to re-apply for grade 4, and ask them to help you understand the areas where she can improve. Use Level III samples in your application next year. This is what I did and DS was accepted for next year. (Not saying you shouldn't appeal this year if you want to, but my advice would be to go through Level III and then push up.)

How would we get her into level 3? Would we need to apply for it?

Not PP, but my kid (whom we did not refer for Level IV) was principal-placed into Level III.

I requested it through our AART last year when DS was not admitted to Level IV. Also, you asked if school/principal can override and include her in Level IV. I don't believe that is an option, as Level IV is not decided at the school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think so many smart kids left for private that this is a very easy year to get into level IV.

There are still so many smart kids who have no money for private schools stay in FCPS!

I didn’t say ALL smart kids left. Just that many did leave. Sorry, but that is a fact. The leftover pool applying for AAP was much less competitive this year. It’s not personal, just reality.

Well since you said it - it must be true.

"so many kids left"
"so many SMART kids left"
"very easy to get it"

Just be happy your kid got in. You got extremely lucky this year as it was much less competitive. Don’t let that impact how your child performs in the program.

I know I'm thanking my stars. Why are you even concerned with whats happening with AAP? Guess you should stay away from this dumbed down AAP class in that private school of yours. Or did you apply from private and not get in? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

pp 13:54 here,

With only one mediocre NNAT score, but pretty strong teacher's recommendation, I feel it's the test scores that dragged her down? I know the fcps tends to downplay the criticality of ONLY using scores to make determination, but would you think in our specific case, it would be the case?

As a matter of fact, AART called me after i requested the package. He said we definitely should appeal, but he did not directly answer if a new score is necessary, more emphasizing on finding new work samples and a letter.

I would admit the price was one factor of my reluctance, especially with the uncertainty that might or might not help in the appeal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids are in Level IV so I have no chip on my shoulder, and I’m not sure how many of these posts are fake, but the idea that a kid got in with NNAT 119 and another got rejected with NNAT 140 is ABSURD. There should be no level of weight placed on a GBRS that can justify anywhere near that discrepancy. Absolutely embarrassing, and I assume just one more step toward eliminating any sense of meritocracy or achievement in our society. Congratulations America and FCPS

I think this points to my theory that different Local Level IV programs have different cut off points. Title 1 schools and near Title 1 schools are going to have fewer kids with higher test scores, so their programs would have a lower cut off. Local Level IVs in upper middle class and middle class schools are going to have higher score cut offs. Centers seem to be the ones that focus on the 132 but that seems to be only for kids who would have to attend a center, no Local Level IV or attending a Center school.

It would be helpful if FCPS stated this so that parents understood that the applications being compared were based on their local program and not something across the county. I would be surprised to find that there are many 119 COGAT scores being accepted into AAP in McLean but not surprised to find that a Title 1 Local Level IV had more 119 COGATs.

I was bored at home so I ran down the various Title 1 programs to see who had AAP and who didn't. I was shocked at how many Title 1 schools there are in FCPS. There are 39 total Title 1 ES, 25 with Local Level IV and 14 w/o.

Of the Title 1 schools, only Annandale Terrace, Beech Tree, Belvedere, Braddock, Brookfield, Cameron, Centre Ridge, Clearview, Crestwood, Forest Edge, Glen Forest, Graham Road, Groveton, Hollin Meadows, London Towne, Mt. Vernon Woods, Parklawn, Pine Spring, Providence, Riverside, Sleepy Hollow, Timber Lane, Washington Mill, Westlawn, and Woodley Hills had Local Level IV. The percent of kids in Local Level IV was from 4% to 30%. Most the schools seemed to be in the 10% range. I wonder if some of the smaller percentages are because the parents move the kids to the Center, some look like they are newer programs because there are no numbers for kids three years ago. Many of the schools with 5% have fewer than 30 total kids in Local Level IV.

Title 1 schools without Local Level IV: Bailey's Elementary, Bren Mar, Bucknell, Dogwood, Forestdale, Garfield, Herndon, Hutchison, Hybla Valley, Lynbrook, Mount Eagle, Weyanoke, Woodburn, Woodlawn,

Woodburn does have a local level IV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in


-second grade
- NNAT 132 (in pool)
- parents referral
- gBRS- don’t know

Going to appeal.

Parents who mentioned that they submitted strong kids’ work. Please enlighten little more that what kind of work your kid did. Lego/maths sum/painting/writing

I submitted a parent referral packet before I learned my child was "in-pool". The work I submitted was closer to legos/painting than math sums. Things that show creativity and synthesis of information. I think his teacher submitted some math games (like Sudoku-type number puzzles). She sent them in pen pal letters last fall, and he would complete them and send them back. I don't know if these are the "right" work samples, but maybe they will give you some ideas. Good luck!!

I provided poems and stories DD had written, and some word problems she'd solved where she showed her work.

[Anonymous]

Both Not in

1st son
- 5th grade
- NNAT 142
- parents referral
- gBRS- don’t know

2nd daughter
- 4th grade
- NNAT 160
- parents referral
- gBRS- don’t know

[Anonymous]

In

2nd Grade

Naglieri Ability Test 122

No parents referral

[Anonymous]

Do all notification go out today even for kids from private schools?

[Anonymous]

NNAT : 150
Reports: all 4
GBRS: dont know but strong

Not in


Has anyone figured out any logic? What is the success of appeals? What can we do to make the appeal successful?

[Anonymous]

NOT IN (2nd Grade)

NNAT: 120
GBRS: all exceptional (commentary from school also recommended for Level IV)
Currently in Level II AAP for both Math and Reading
put together pretty good work samples from us and school samples were awesome.

I see the previous post where child got in with NNAT 120 and no referral...i can't believe this is true. If it is, it must depend on a school then, and their specific quota for filling out those seats and who knows what. I'm disappointed in the whole process, honestly. In our case, everything else was great except the NNAT score. If it all comes down to test scores, why are we all (school and families) wasting time putting together these packages? Where is the whole "holistic approach" in this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In

2nd Grade

Naglieri Ability Test 122

No parents referral

Do you mind sharing your school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do all notification go out today even for kids from private schools?

We applied from private. I received the decision via email this morning. It was in my junk email. Unfortunately not good news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In

2nd Grade

Naglieri Ability Test 122

No parents referral

Do you mind sharing your school?

Navy...any other parents from NAvy who got odd results?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In

2nd Grade

Naglieri Ability Test 122

No parents referral

Do you mind sharing your school?