Moving because of declining schools

[Anonymous]

I agree with others who say have your child try some new activities to meet more peers who they feel connected with. Keep following up with the GT teacher and keep asking for more challenge for your child. Look into privates. 2-3 years of private might cost about the same as moving and then have your kid switch to public again for HS. Just some ideas.
I hear good things about The Sycamore School in Arlington. There are several options. But I wouldn’t move for another public school system. There are issues at just about any public school. Also agree with the idea that it’s ok for kids to struggle a bit and have an average year and an average teacher.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

Are you talking about during virtual school? I have a current 6th grader who was in 5th grade last year. Also GT. My kid did not spend all day reading to themselves.

But it sounds like you're not well served by public schools at this moment in time. I wouldn't move though. Moving is not going to solve it.

5th and 6th were pre-pandemic; 7th was pandemic year. They all were meh at best. So would love to hear what you child did when the teacher worked with the rest of class on work she had already completed? This wasn't just my DD, I heard it from multiple parents (other GT students). Virtual was actually better in that regard, as it gave our DD a lot more options for what to do in her downtime than just sit and read.

Ok, so my kid was 4th pre-pandemic and she and a few of her classmates worked on a long-term math project together. So when they were done with work in math they went and did that. The group project options had been pushed in by GT as an option for the kids. You didn't have to be GT to participate, which was the model at my kids' elementary school the whole way through. I don't want to go into too many details on the project as it might identify me, but my kid was super into it. A lot of creativity and leadership skills. The kids liked it so much they worked on it during recess even.

Is my child occupied every second? I'm sure not. Sounds like you want tracking - completely separate classes. You should have gone AAP in FCPS but it sounds like your kid is too old. I would just wait it out and try W-L. I have heard good things about it. Do the IB program. If you have younger kids still, move to FCPS and get into AAP.

Not tracking, just a teachers who have enough classtime, ratios, and resources to engage my child with something at their level. They meet the class baseline and that's it, they are left on their own. She doesn't need a separate class, your project is exactly the type of thing, especially a group project. Maybe our GT was just bad that last few years? I feel like they did nothing compared to prior years projects and enrichment. I mean, these are motivated kids, all you need is to give them an idea, a framework, and latitude and they will go at it. But a single student sitting at their desk, what can they kick off on their own without any resources?

So maybe your starting point is figuring out what your GT person at your kids' school is actually doing.

I met with her many times, and she said she was "developing" something and popping into the kids classes. My kid didn't even know she was the GT teacher. It is ridiculous.

I’ve never told the kids who the gifted teacher is when she visits. She’s just a teacher in our room doing a lesson or pulling kids out.

That's great. But don't kid yourself into thinking the kids don't know. They figure these things out quite easily.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

For what it is worth I went to public schools like this. I enjoyed the extra reading/relaxation time and I think I turned out ok--another JD added to the list in the DMV.

If your kid isn't unhappy with their lot a change might be more disruptive than just riding it out.

Same. I had some underwhelming teachers. And some good ones. And I went to a top university and kept up completely fine.

The experience of school is a lot more than the academic part too. You don't even mention that OP. Is your kid involved in activities? Part of their community? Friends? Happy socially? Those are equally important.

Social is a big part of it; she prioritizes school and learning, and feels like none of her peers do, that majority of kids don’t want to be there and would rather do sports or video games. I assume she maybe hasn’t met her “people” but without academic tracking or academic clubs (which there really aren’t any at our school) she has no way to find. Sports people find each other in the mass of team sports schools offer, but kids with other interests are in the wind.

You have lost me a bit now OP. What APS middle school has no academic after school clubs? No band?? We have young democrats and a math club. A game club. And more. Try something. The idea that your child is surrounded by a bunch of knuckle draggers who don’t care about school and can’t find anyone to connect with just doesn’t add up.

I would give up on the idea of "academic clubs" to spoon feed your kid challenging information and look for opportunities for your kid to enrich her own life. By middle school there are lots of opportunities to stretch yourself. I remember middle school academics being boring, but I did tons of other stuff outside of school that kept me plenty engaged. For instance, I was on an Odyssey of the Mind team and learning robotics to design our solution, plus writing music and making costumes and art. Lots to think about, especially with team dynamics. I was also taking Latin with a tutor and would practice my declensions during downtime in class. I was learning piano and the French horn and was in a local youth orchestra so I had lots to practice every day. I was also working on my Silver Project for Girl Scouts and planning a project to help low income moms have childcare so they could come to parent teacher conferences. I also volunteered at the local nursing home and would spend time with the residents. In short, I was very motivated to get all my work done at school so I could get to my activities after school.

Don't expect public school to be a one stop shop. Enrich your kid's life in the community. I know it's harder with Covid, but there are options.

If school is too easy, your kid can also ask the teacher to up her challenge. I remember asking my history teacher if I could write my paper on the Vietnam war from first person accounts instead of the summary materials. I spent a whole semester doing independent research at the public library with the help of a librarian. Make your own opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we moved to go to a better school. We didn't leave FCPS but left for a neighborhood with a better elementary and middle school before DS entered the school system. If it weren't for DH's job we would have left for LCPS, but the commute would have been horrible. But with the rise of telework we are considering moving again and this time will definitely choose LCPS over FCPS.

[Anonymous]

At that age your kid should not be bored because they are pivoting toward their peers and working on having an independent social life. As for academics, some classes will be better/worse and more challenging than others. But it's the action in the halls between periods, lunch, after school, before school, group projects with friends and new kids you've never met, clubs, activities, sports if you do them.

School is about a lot more than academics. And all the skills are important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we moved to go to a better school. We didn't leave FCPS but left for a neighborhood with a better elementary and middle school before DS entered the school system. If it weren't for DH's job we would have left for LCPS, but the commute would have been horrible. But with the rise of telework we are considering moving again and this time will definitely choose LCPS over FCPS.

Do people really consider LCPS better than FCPS? I know in Maryland HCPS is much stronger than MCPS, but wasn't sure the parallel carried in NOVA?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My takeaway might be that something about a big public middle school doesn’t work for your specific child. I wouldn’t assume moving to another large public school (which let’s face it that’s what we have here in this area) will fix it. I’m saying that without knowing your particular issues.

There are options within APS. Have you looked into programs at the Career Center?

Our issue is that when we were elem we had pull out GT programs, and then it switched to pushing and was worthless. My kids are so unchallenged and bored and there is no differentiation until high school, teachers spend all their time on remedial learning and discipline. So much discipline. WL should offer challenging classes, but the crazy super size high school with too little common space worries me.

Career Center would be a better fit if our kids were vocationally minded, but far from that.

There are more programs at Career Center than people realize.

There is definitely differentiation in math. I think if that is your issue, find the money for private. But I would also wait out the effects of the pandemic. Yes, the bright kids whose parents kept things up during the pandemic, now those kids are a bit bored and not challenged. The teachers have a lot to sort through emotionally and academically with kids back in school.

Yes, we are in advanced math. The boredom and frustration was present all through 5th and 6th once GT went away. Basically spent all day reading to themselves waiting for rest of class to do their thing.

For what it is worth I went to public schools like this. I enjoyed the extra reading/relaxation time and I think I turned out ok--another JD added to the list in the DMV.

If your kid isn't unhappy with their lot a change might be more disruptive than just riding it out.

Same. I had some underwhelming teachers. And some good ones. And I went to a top university and kept up completely fine.

The experience of school is a lot more than the academic part too. You don't even mention that OP. Is your kid involved in activities? Part of their community? Friends? Happy socially? Those are equally important.

Social is a big part of it; she prioritizes school and learning, and feels like none of her peers do, that majority of kids don’t want to be there and would rather do sports or video games. I assume she maybe hasn’t met her “people” but without academic tracking or academic clubs (which there really aren’t any at our school) she has no way to find. Sports people find each other in the mass of team sports schools offer, but kids with other interests are in the wind.

You have lost me a bit now OP. What APS middle school has no academic after school clubs? No band?? We have young democrats and a math club. A game club. And more. Try something. The idea that your child is surrounded by a bunch of knuckle draggers who don’t care about school and can’t find anyone to connect with just doesn’t add up.

+1 Any middle school feeding to W-L has these options, maybe she has missed the announcements? Or things have been slow to get started back up, coming off the distance-learning year. My DD at TJ, for example, made her friends via band and book club. She is also gifted and never seemed bored, probably because she would always on her own take the initiative to go deeper or more creative on a project. And, was happy to read on her own if she finished something early in class.

[Anonymous]

We left APS and were shocked at what we learned at a new private. Husband and I are both products of public school and we moved to Arlington for the schools. We did not make the decision lightly to leave public where we moved for the "great" schools and open our checkbooks more for private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with others who say have your child try some new activities to meet more peers who they feel connected with. Keep following up with the GT teacher and keep asking for more challenge for your child. Look into privates. 2-3 years of private might cost about the same as moving and then have your kid switch to public again for HS. Just some ideas.
I hear good things about The Sycamore School in Arlington. There are several options. But I wouldn’t move for another public school system. There are issues at just about any public school. Also agree with the idea that it’s ok for kids to struggle a bit and have an average year and an average teacher.

This. Moving is expensive so if it's just to get over the hump for middle school this might be a better option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this area it seems to be that if you can’t afford private you just make do with APS. Any other public system in the DMV area is going to be similar with similar issues. If you’re going to move you’d need to move completely out of the area.

If you’re feeding into WL I’m guessing you’re Swanson? It gets better at W-L although I don’t know about overcrowding in he coming years.

We opted out of APS.

NP: THIS. You're going to find similar issues in the whole DMV public systems due to over-crowding, political correctness, COVID issues, boundary squabbles etc etc. IMO, your choices are basically: Deal with it/stay in APS (I don't think Fairfax/Loudoun is worth the move), Homeschool, Go Private, or move completely out of the area.

We moved 2 states away last summer (leaving an Option elementary)- We have ZERO regrets and are getting a better public education despite the idea that APS is "among the best." But of course it was easier for us because one of our jobs was mobile and the other could transfer.

Good luck. This forum will criticize you and say you're being demanding. You are not. Anecdotally several of our not Type A/laid-back friends in Arlington were shocked by the APS COVID response and overcrowding and are much happier now in local Lutheran schools.

[Anonymous]

Which state?

[Anonymous]

"Declining schools" is a 20+ year Republican talking point. This conversation could have been had 10 years ago -- same comments, same perspectives, same issues. Public schools serve a wide range of children, families, and needs. Go ahead and have the conversation about the pros and cons of public schools but stop the "declining schools" stuff. Your politics are showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which state?

"two states away" could be...

SC, GA, AL, MI, AR, MO, IL, IN, OH, PA, or DE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which state?

"two states away" could be...

SC, GA, AL, MI, AR, MO, IL, IN, OH, PA, or DE

Yep! That's a lot of states. Was hoping the wouldn't mind sharing which one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be honest OP it’s not gonna get much better if you move to let’s say fairfax county. They seem to have worse issues than APS. Maybe try Falls Church? Schools are smaller I hear and parents generally seem satisfied. If I were you I would wait it out (put your kid in AOPS or something like that that will provide more of a challenge). It gets better in high school. If not there is always the option of private for middle school and then going back to APS for high school.

This is exactly what we are doing - moved to private for 5-8, then will go back to public for high school.