White Oaks AAP

[Anonymous]

Please share your experiences at White Oaks AAP. Went to the orientation, and felt over-crowded and a little disappointed with the old deteriorating facility. I know they are going to start the renovation soon, but are you and your kids satisfied with the school and teachers?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, renovation is long overdue. The place has the feel of an underground rabbit warren. Otherwise, no problems with the AAP program or teachers there. You won't go wrong with either third grade teacher. The two classrooms are connected and the kids regularly interact with the other teacher/kids. The layout of grade pods also minimizes separation from the gen ed classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, renovation is long overdue. The place has the feel of an underground rabbit warren. Otherwise, no problems with the AAP program or teachers there. You won't go wrong with either third grade teacher. The two classrooms are connected and the kids regularly interact with the other teacher/kids. The layout of grade pods also minimizes separation from the gen ed classes.

OP here, Thanks! Glad to hear from someone who knows the school! I appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Actually, lots of families return kids to base school . Too much homework and packets of work instead of creative thinking work. I work at a neighboring school and lots of kids leave after a year or two.

[Anonymous]

Not true, I checked the school directory, and class sizes are quite stable through 6th grade. And the homework could be increased and still be an acceptable amount.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP- We went to the White Oaks orientation as well and felt it was crowded and disorganized. It seemed like some of the parents there shared our hesitation with making the move to a center, but their questions weren't addressed due to the chaotic format.

The orientation was of little help in the decision making process. In fact, that experience, the condition of the school, and the specifics of our DC ended up tipping the balance to stay at our home school. We know others that are very happy at White Oaks....but I really think the decision needs to be based on each individual and how they are doing at their home school.

[Anonymous]

We were also at the orientation - not turned off at all. I guess we choose to look at it as an opportunity for DC and that we must at least try it for a year. Our DC is pretty resilient, and easily makes friends. A new shiny school does not always equate a great learning environment. This is not our first kid in AAP, so we're looking forward to having DC in Ceasar's English, Socratic Seminar, Science project, etc...

[Anonymous]

Uhh...it is true that kids leave. I can count six on my fingers that I know of that have returned to my school in the last two or three years. No, that isn't a lot, and I do believe the teachers vary in terms of homework and skill level, of course. If you think your kid is a good fit, then go for it.

[Anonymous]

Any updates to this? My child has been admitted, and our base school is Bonnie Brae. He will miss his friends and we wonder if it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

We are trying to decide about White Oaks as well. We love Terra Centre and just wish it had a local level 4. We know a couple of people who have or had kids in the White Oaks AAP program, so we will talk with them and go to the orientation, but we aren't excited about our child changing schools. We just moved here last summer from out-of-state. We're just trying to take a "whole child" approach. Honestly, I want to know which other classmates might be going. If he sees a bunch of familiar faces, then it's not as significant of a change.

Also, I would love if the base school had its own session for AAP eligible kids to confirm what they would do differently for a level 4 kid who doesn't transfer. I'm planning to talk with our 2nd grade teacher and the AAP staff member to try to sort that out.

Good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

White Oaks was a fantastic environment academically and socially for my daughter--and it was much more comprehensive than our base school's local IV program. The 3rd grade teachers (who are still there now!) do an excellent job of making the classes feel like a team who are in the same boat rather than competitive. There's this sense that since everyone's been displaced there's a fresh start for friends and it really makes it less cliquish than sometimes the upper grades of elementary school can get. Starting high school now, the friends she made then are still her core group now (though she has also branched out), and the whole group from her school feel like familiar faces in the huge secondary schools. It really prepared her well for middle school--not just the organization and workload, but the deeper thinking and sense of confidence to take on extracurricular activities. In retrospect when I see the experiences of her friends who stayed at the base school and are now in the same secondary school, I am VERY glad we made the decision to go (though it was a tough one at the time).

I wouldn't put much stake in the orientation--rather talk to your school's AAP coordinator who knows your child and parents of children who are currently there to see how their experiences might inform your thinking. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:White Oaks was a fantastic environment academically and socially for my daughter--and it was much more comprehensive than our base school's local IV program. The 3rd grade teachers (who are still there now!) do an excellent job of making the classes feel like a team who are in the same boat rather than competitive. There's this sense that since everyone's been displaced there's a fresh start for friends and it really makes it less cliquish than sometimes the upper grades of elementary school can get. Starting high school now, the friends she made then are still her core group now (though she has also branched out), and the whole group from her school feel like familiar faces in the huge secondary schools. It really prepared her well for middle school--not just the organization and workload, but the deeper thinking and sense of confidence to take on extracurricular activities. In retrospect when I see the experiences of her friends who stayed at the base school and are now in the same secondary school, I am VERY glad we made the decision to go (though it was a tough one at the time).

I wouldn't put much stake in the orientation--rather talk to your school's AAP coordinator who knows your child and parents of children who are currently there to see how their experiences might inform your thinking. Good luck!

Thank you so much for this response. We plan to do these exact things, but appreciate hearing of your child'a great experience and how they help all students feel they are in it together.