Key or ASFS?

[Anonymous]

We really like the idea of immersion for our rising K’er, and we got a spot, but I’m having second thoughts about having classmates spread across the whole of the county vs our neighborhood. OTOH it’s a much better walk...

Talk me into or out of, please!

[Anonymous]

Would you choose immersion if it wasn’t an easy walk? There’s a non trivial chance the program moves.

[Anonymous]

Your kid will never get another chance to learn a language through an immersion-like setting.

My guess is that plenty of kids will be from your neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you choose immersion if it wasn’t an easy walk? There’s a non trivial chance the program moves.

Probably not, tbqh. It’s a plus but it’s a much smaller plus than not having to cross Kirkwood!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you choose immersion if it wasn’t an easy walk? There’s a non trivial chance the program moves.

Probably not, tbqh. It’s a plus but it’s a much smaller plus than not having to cross Kirkwood!

It’s unlikely that Key will be in the same building by Fall 2020 or Fall 2021, and it will probably be a bus ride away from you in its new home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you choose immersion if it wasn’t an easy walk? There’s a non trivial chance the program moves.

Probably not, tbqh. It’s a plus but it’s a much smaller plus than not having to cross Kirkwood!

Won’t there be a bus?

[Anonymous]

I think it’s worth giving it a shot for one year if you think there’s a chance your child would enjoy it/benefit from Spanish immersion. It’s really not that easy to get in at an older grade.

I know families with kids at Key and they have made good friends. They love it and don’t regret the decision at all.

But also listen to your mom or dad gut. You know your child best.

[Anonymous]

It can be challenging. But when their language skills start to take off in first and second grade, it’s awesome. You have nagging doubts, though. So just go to ASFS. Your liking the idea of immersion has been duly noted.

[Anonymous]

Both are great programs. Can’t go wrong either way.

[Anonymous]

I’m likely one of your neighbors.
If you have any concerns regarding special education or speech or potential issues with reading/writing, then key might not be a good fit. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard about Key is that it’s not a good place if your kid needs an iep or would have qualified for gifted services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m likely one of your neighbors.
If you have any concerns regarding special education or speech or potential issues with reading/writing, then key might not be a good fit. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard about Key is that it’s not a good place if your kid needs an iep or would have qualified for gifted services.

How do gifted services work? DC is doing second grade math and currently reading the Little House series herself, we had figured anew language would be a fun academic challenge in a way regular K might not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m likely one of your neighbors.
If you have any concerns regarding special education or speech or potential issues with reading/writing, then key might not be a good fit. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard about Key is that it’s not a good place if your kid needs an iep or would have qualified for gifted services.

How do gifted services work? DC is doing second grade math and currently reading the Little House series herself, we had figured anew language would be a fun academic challenge in a way regular K might not.

I can't speak to other schools, but at asfs they give you a test in 2nd grade to see if you qualify. There's a nomination process if you don't. I don't think there's anything special until third grade, and I think even then it's pretty low key with just some pull out time and extra homework.
Don't take the criticism of key super seriously-- the gifted services thing was someone who went to our pool said. The special ed thing is something I've heard from multiple people though, so there might be merit to it.
They are both good schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m likely one of your neighbors.
If you have any concerns regarding special education or speech or potential issues with reading/writing, then key might not be a good fit. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard about Key is that it’s not a good place if your kid needs an iep or would have qualified for gifted services.

How do gifted services work? DC is doing second grade math and currently reading the Little House series herself, we had figured anew language would be a fun academic challenge in a way regular K might not.

Like other elementary schools, Key uses the differentiated instruction/push-in model for gifted services. This has its pluses and minuses (you can probably read 300 different threads on this in the AAP Forum). The Gifted Services person at Key is absolutely terrific. She has a passion for teaching and kids. That said, she is responsible for over 700 kids, so please calibrate your expectations. Our two kids went through Key and the Gifted Services program and did well. They then both went through Gunston and were both accepted to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. So the foundation laid at Key was good.

[Anonymous]

Just in general, I don’t think immersion is a good idea for kids who are late readers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m likely one of your neighbors.
If you have any concerns regarding special education or speech or potential issues with reading/writing, then key might not be a good fit. Only bad thing I’ve ever heard about Key is that it’s not a good place if your kid needs an iep or would have qualified for gifted services.

How do gifted services work? DC is doing second grade math and currently reading the Little House series herself, we had figured anew language would be a fun academic challenge in a way regular K might not.

I think there’s a NNAT test in second grade. Maybe some gt identification earlier. It’s pretty laid back. If you want type a gt, you’ll want FCPS.