thinking of pulling AAP kids to private

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids in AAP, one 6th and one 4th. Both are doing fine (3s & 4s on report cards), but neither are particularly excited about schools. I have them shadowed a private school and they both loved it. Said that teachers at the private school are more enthusiastic and engaging, and kids are crazier and the classrooms are more fun. The 4th grader is happy that there is more attention from the teacher as the class size is significantly smaller. Given my 4th grader has a summer birthday, maturity is always a concern. If he continues in AAP, I imagine he will always be "average" or perhaps "below average" among his AAP classmates, even though I know he is very creative and smarter than what he shows in his school work. The 6th grader will need to change to middle school anyway, and our AAP middle school is new, so I have not idea how that is going to work out. Is finding a school that is more fun and exciting a good enough reason to change?

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing a lot of your kids' enthusiasm for the 'more fun' school is based on how you've presented everything to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing a lot of your kids' enthusiasm for the 'more fun' school is based on how you've presented everything to them.

No, those are their words and impressions. I know very little about how their current AAP classrooms function and I did not observe the private school classrooms when they were there. The 6th grader now told me that in her current AAP classroom kids are not allowed to speak or will have minutes taken away from recess, but the private classroom are freer, kids can mingle and talk. I suppose the private school tries harder to make classes more fun/entertaining while the AAP classes are more strict and "no-nonsense."

[Anonymous]

Even if it has nothing to do with your presentation, there is a large fraction of 9-11 year olds that find missing school FOR ANY REASON to be exciting.

[Anonymous]

I would do more research before committing, but there are many families who prefer private to public AAP. Its a lot of money though. Privates tend to focus on things other than top test scores.

[Anonymous]

Did it this year with high schooler who'd been in AAP throughout. Best decision ever for this kid. If you can afford it, college and retirement savings, I'd say go for it. Small class size, awesome teachers and classroom discussions are worth it. As DK says, not a minute is wasted, even on half days - the kids are engaged continuously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in AAP, one 6th and one 4th. Both are doing fine (3s & 4s on report cards), but neither are particularly excited about schools. I have them shadowed a private school and they both loved it. Said that teachers at the private school are more enthusiastic and engaging, and kids are crazier and the classrooms are more fun. The 4th grader is happy that there is more attention from the teacher as the class size is significantly smaller. Given my 4th grader has a summer birthday, maturity is always a concern. If he continues in AAP, I imagine he will always be "average" or perhaps "below average" among his AAP classmates, even though I know he is very creative and smarter than what he shows in his school work. The 6th grader will need to change to middle school anyway, and our AAP middle school is new, so I have not idea how that is going to work out. Is finding a school that is more fun and exciting a good enough reason to change?

The engaged and enthusiastic teachers and smaller classrooms were two big reasons we switched DS to private (for HS). Not the only reasons, but selling points for me (DH was the one who was really pushing private).

[Anonymous]

Are they more science/math oriented or humanities/language oriented?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they more science/math oriented or humanities/language oriented?

Right now, they are more science oriented. 6th grader is also a book worm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they more science/math oriented or humanities/language oriented?

Right now, they are more science oriented. 6th grader is also a book worm.

Then, I would stick with AAP. FCPS excells in STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they more science/math oriented or humanities/language oriented?

Right now, they are more science oriented. 6th grader is also a book worm.

Then, I would stick with AAP. FCPS excells in STEM.

Only in TJ, which is a toxic environment. STEM at other schools is mediocre at best. Chantilly and Marshall have a bit of a leg up with their governor's STEM academies.

[Anonymous]

We did it after 3rd in an AAP center. No regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even if it has nothing to do with your presentation, there is a large fraction of 9-11 year olds that find missing school FOR ANY REASON to be exciting.

This. Surely you explained in an upbeat way why they'd be doing he shadowing which had to include concerns about current school. I'm guessing a lot of this is from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they more science/math oriented or humanities/language oriented?

Right now, they are more science oriented. 6th grader is also a book worm.

Then, I would stick with AAP. FCPS excells in STEM.

Only in TJ, which is a toxic environment. STEM at other schools is mediocre at best. Chantilly and Marshall have a bit of a leg up with their governor's STEM academies.

[Anonymous]

Certainly at the elementary level, FCPS is below mediocre in teaching the sciences.