Tell me about the schools in Herndon/Chantilly - Crossfield, Oak Hill, Navy, Fox Mill, Lees Corner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Navy family here. Our experience has been exceptional. Wonderful teachers, engaging work, a strong sense of community and school spirit. We feel so fortunate to have experienced Navy, and I think most of our friends agree. Surprised to hear the negative comments on this thread.

That’s because you live in a bubble. The Navy parents I have talked to all have concerns, especially with the upper grades.

I commented on this thread earlier about the divide between AAP and PBL being a problem, but I would also say we had a great experience at Navy with no complaints, other than the fact my kids can't spell and that's more of a FCPS thing.

Navy parent here. In addition to spelling, my kids can’t write and haven’t learned and organizational/study skills. Navy is severely lacking in these areas. They care way too much about using computers in a way that is detrimental to the kids.

At lots of elementary schools, there seems to be too much of a focus on fluff and fun, which means the spelling, grammar and writing instruction is severely lacking. My kids didn't get actual writing instruction until middle school, and a number of my friends have had the same experiences with their kids' FCPS schools. I had one kid in general education, one in LLIV, and one at a center, and all three had incredibly weak/nonexistent spelling, grammar and writing lessons throughout elementary school, so I do not believe this problem is isolated to one school or one teacher.

Even the reading instruction was extraordinarily weak at both the elementary schools my kids attended. From kindergarten through 6th grade, they were never taught very many reading strategies at all. FCPS needs to reduce the amount of fluff and fun and they need to increase the amount of actual instruction.

Navy AAP parent here. The writing instruction is poor. The use of groupwork covers up for it. The only time my kids ever had a spelling list was prepping for the spelling bee. Never did a book report. Math instruction is fine.

My kids supplement as a result, particularly in writing.

+1 there aren’t even any assigned books or discussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Navy family here. Our experience has been exceptional. Wonderful teachers, engaging work, a strong sense of community and school spirit. We feel so fortunate to have experienced Navy, and I think most of our friends agree. Surprised to hear the negative comments on this thread.

That’s because you live in a bubble. The Navy parents I have talked to all have concerns, especially with the upper grades.

I commented on this thread earlier about the divide between AAP and PBL being a problem, but I would also say we had a great experience at Navy with no complaints, other than the fact my kids can't spell and that's more of a FCPS thing.

Navy parent here. In addition to spelling, my kids can’t write and haven’t learned and organizational/study skills. Navy is severely lacking in these areas. They care way too much about using computers in a way that is detrimental to the kids.

At lots of elementary schools, there seems to be too much of a focus on fluff and fun, which means the spelling, grammar and writing instruction is severely lacking. My kids didn't get actual writing instruction until middle school, and a number of my friends have had the same experiences with their kids' FCPS schools. I had one kid in general education, one in LLIV, and one at a center, and all three had incredibly weak/nonexistent spelling, grammar and writing lessons throughout elementary school, so I do not believe this problem is isolated to one school or one teacher.

Even the reading instruction was extraordinarily weak at both the elementary schools my kids attended. From kindergarten through 6th grade, they were never taught very many reading strategies at all. FCPS needs to reduce the amount of fluff and fun and they need to increase the amount of actual instruction.

Navy AAP parent here. The writing instruction is poor. The use of groupwork covers up for it. The only time my kids ever had a spelling list was prepping for the spelling bee. Never did a book report. Math instruction is fine.

My kids supplement as a result, particularly in writing.

We supplement in writing too. Lots of Navy families have been supplementing for years.

[Anonymous]

DS is at Fox Mill in fifth grade. His class has written a memoir and a persuasive essay this year. The Teacher has shown them an intro, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. The grading rubric was sent home so you could see how the individual assignment was graded. He has not been assigned a book report this year. I have no clue how much of what was on the grading rubric was shared with the kids, like did the Teacher say “You need to improve on using X and here is a suggestion on how to do that.”

I have no idea if the same approach is used at every school but at the very least I am seeing DS introduced to the basics of writing an essay. There are corrections on his paper but I am not so sure what is being reviewed with kids in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is at Fox Mill in fifth grade. His class has written a memoir and a persuasive essay this year. The Teacher has shown them an intro, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. The grading rubric was sent home so you could see how the individual assignment was graded. He has not been assigned a book report this year. I have no clue how much of what was on the grading rubric was shared with the kids, like did the Teacher say “You need to improve on using X and here is a suggestion on how to do that.”

I have no idea if the same approach is used at every school but at the very least I am seeing DS introduced to the basics of writing an essay. There are corrections on his paper but I am not so sure what is being reviewed with kids in class.

Fox Mill is one of the better schools when it comes to basics. They also have the kids writing down homework assignments in a planner, as opposed to solely relying on a computer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is at Fox Mill in fifth grade. His class has written a memoir and a persuasive essay this year. The Teacher has shown them an intro, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. The grading rubric was sent home so you could see how the individual assignment was graded. He has not been assigned a book report this year. I have no clue how much of what was on the grading rubric was shared with the kids, like did the Teacher say “You need to improve on using X and here is a suggestion on how to do that.”

I have no idea if the same approach is used at every school but at the very least I am seeing DS introduced to the basics of writing an essay. There are corrections on his paper but I am not so sure what is being reviewed with kids in class.

Fox Mill is one of the better schools when it comes to basics. They also have the kids writing down homework assignments in a planner, as opposed to solely relying on a computer.

Yup, love the planner. Adore the planner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is at Fox Mill in fifth grade. His class has written a memoir and a persuasive essay this year. The Teacher has shown them an intro, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. The grading rubric was sent home so you could see how the individual assignment was graded. He has not been assigned a book report this year. I have no clue how much of what was on the grading rubric was shared with the kids, like did the Teacher say “You need to improve on using X and here is a suggestion on how to do that.”

I have no idea if the same approach is used at every school but at the very least I am seeing DS introduced to the basics of writing an essay. There are corrections on his paper but I am not so sure what is being reviewed with kids in class.

Fox Mill is one of the better schools when it comes to basics. They also have the kids writing down homework assignments in a planner, as opposed to solely relying on a computer.

Yup, love the planner. Adore the planner.

Navy used to require a planner. Paid 5 bucks for it and my kids never used it, every year...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Navy family here. Our experience has been exceptional. Wonderful teachers, engaging work, a strong sense of community and school spirit. We feel so fortunate to have experienced Navy, and I think most of our friends agree. Surprised to hear the negative comments on this thread.

That’s because you live in a bubble. The Navy parents I have talked to all have concerns, especially with the upper grades.

I commented on this thread earlier about the divide between AAP and PBL being a problem, but I would also say we had a great experience at Navy with no complaints, other than the fact my kids can't spell and that's more of a FCPS thing.

Navy parent here. In addition to spelling, my kids can’t write and haven’t learned and organizational/study skills. Navy is severely lacking in these areas. They care way too much about using computers in a way that is detrimental to the kids.

At lots of elementary schools, there seems to be too much of a focus on fluff and fun, which means the spelling, grammar and writing instruction is severely lacking. My kids didn't get actual writing instruction until middle school, and a number of my friends have had the same experiences with their kids' FCPS schools. I had one kid in general education, one in LLIV, and one at a center, and all three had incredibly weak/nonexistent spelling, grammar and writing lessons throughout elementary school, so I do not believe this problem is isolated to one school or one teacher.

Even the reading instruction was extraordinarily weak at both the elementary schools my kids attended. From kindergarten through 6th grade, they were never taught very many reading strategies at all. FCPS needs to reduce the amount of fluff and fun and they need to increase the amount of actual instruction.

Navy AAP parent here. The writing instruction is poor. The use of groupwork covers up for it. The only time my kids ever had a spelling list was prepping for the spelling bee. Never did a book report. Math instruction is fine.

My kids supplement as a result, particularly in writing.

We supplement in writing too. Lots of Navy families have been supplementing for years.

How do you supplement for writing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Navy family here. Our experience has been exceptional. Wonderful teachers, engaging work, a strong sense of community and school spirit. We feel so fortunate to have experienced Navy, and I think most of our friends agree. Surprised to hear the negative comments on this thread.

That’s because you live in a bubble. The Navy parents I have talked to all have concerns, especially with the upper grades.

I commented on this thread earlier about the divide between AAP and PBL being a problem, but I would also say we had a great experience at Navy with no complaints, other than the fact my kids can't spell and that's more of a FCPS thing.

Navy parent here. In addition to spelling, my kids can’t write and haven’t learned and organizational/study skills. Navy is severely lacking in these areas. They care way too much about using computers in a way that is detrimental to the kids.

At lots of elementary schools, there seems to be too much of a focus on fluff and fun, which means the spelling, grammar and writing instruction is severely lacking. My kids didn't get actual writing instruction until middle school, and a number of my friends have had the same experiences with their kids' FCPS schools. I had one kid in general education, one in LLIV, and one at a center, and all three had incredibly weak/nonexistent spelling, grammar and writing lessons throughout elementary school, so I do not believe this problem is isolated to one school or one teacher.

Even the reading instruction was extraordinarily weak at both the elementary schools my kids attended. From kindergarten through 6th grade, they were never taught very many reading strategies at all. FCPS needs to reduce the amount of fluff and fun and they need to increase the amount of actual instruction.

Navy AAP parent here. The writing instruction is poor. The use of groupwork covers up for it. The only time my kids ever had a spelling list was prepping for the spelling bee. Never did a book report. Math instruction is fine.

My kids supplement as a result, particularly in writing.

We supplement in writing too. Lots of Navy families have been supplementing for years.

How do you supplement for writing?

Workbooks, sunshine academy, online wiriting classes, assigning bookreports for my kids etc.

[Anonymous]

Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

[Anonymous]

Navy planner is not required, some kids use it and my kids never, but we still buy each year just hopefully one day dc gets the idea about note taking, it’s a nice thing to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

I call BS. There is no way they are asked to read 10 grade level appropriate or advanced level books each quarter. That is more than one per week. While many kids can certainly read that many books, there is no way the teacher is asking them all to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

I call BS. There is no way they are asked to read 10 grade level appropriate or advanced level books each quarter. That is more than one per week. While many kids can certainly read that many books, there is no way the teacher is asking them all to do so.

DP. It's true. There are two current 5th grade AAP teachers and the LA teacher told the parents at the open house she challenges the kids to read 40 books in the year. And you know what? My DC panicked at first, but now is on track, has discovered two new series she really likes, and asked for books for Christmas for the first time. Prior to this, she read the least of my DCs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

I call BS. There is no way they are asked to read 10 grade level appropriate or advanced level books each quarter. That is more than one per week. While many kids can certainly read that many books, there is no way the teacher is asking them all to do so.

DP. It's true. There are two current 5th grade AAP teachers and the LA teacher told the parents at the open house she challenges the kids to read 40 books in the year. And you know what? My DC panicked at first, but now is on track, has discovered two new series she really likes, and asked for books for Christmas for the first time. Prior to this, she read the least of my DCs.

If I am reading correctly, they are not assigned books but books they kids pick on their own and have some time to read at school. DS’s Teacher at Fox Mill does the same thing but I there is not a goal number of books.

I know that DS finished the longer book he had brought in home and told us he reading books from the class library. The ones he mentioned are a lot shorter then the book he took in at the beginning of the year, which is fine. I tend to be in the camp of reading is reading. He needs to read a chapter book for his 30 minutes of reading at home and after that can read whatever he wants. If he is reading I Survived books from the classroom library then cool enough. His Teacher tells us the I Survived series are level appropriate for fifth grade, I think it is probably a bit easy but it is an interesting take on learning about history so who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

I call BS. There is no way they are asked to read 10 grade level appropriate or advanced level books each quarter. That is more than one per week. While many kids can certainly read that many books, there is no way the teacher is asking them all to do so.

DP

I'm the navy parent who wrote about supplementation.

Yes, they are asked, but not required to read 40 books in a year. This was covered on the back to school nite (that occured on a morning before school started). The teachers (Brown/Trench) said that most kids complete this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current Navy AAP 5th grader, has done 2 assigned book club, is asked to read 10 books each quarter, teacher would sit next to individual student to discuss/assist ( observed when volunteered outside classroom). Teachers assigns writing/report/vocabularies etc and math practice nearly everyday. AAP and Gen Ed students mixed in specials but not LA Arts and Math ( not all students are in advanced LA Arts and Advanced Math, a couple of more advanced join AAP 6th grader for math). Don’t know about pre Covid, but the policy is 2 AAP class teachers teach both classes in case one has to take sick leave, the same may apply for Gen Ed classes.

I call BS. There is no way they are asked to read 10 grade level appropriate or advanced level books each quarter. That is more than one per week. While many kids can certainly read that many books, there is no way the teacher is asking them all to do so.

DP

I'm the navy parent who wrote about supplementation.

Yes, they are asked, but not required to read 40 books in a year. This was covered on the back to school nite (that occured on a morning before school started). The teachers (Brown/Trench) said that most kids complete this.

More likely then not, the books are not full novels the way we think of them (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and the like) and more like books like I Survive series or the Tales of a Fifth Grade Knight or President of the Whole Fifth Grade. Novels but shorter novels that are meant to be accessible to kids in upper ES. Which is not to down play reading those books, they are good, age appropriate reads, and far more manageable then thinking that the kids are reading 40 books like the Percy Jackson series.

But I think it is kind of crazy to ask kids to read 40 books and not to read books that are interesting to them and challenge them. It feels like Teachers are pushing quantity over interest. DS reads the I Survive books and similar length books at school. He is currently working through the Hardy Boys series at home. He gets different things out of each type of book. I prefer the Hardy Boys or the Front Desk series because I think they help him realize that he can read and enjoy longer books. I like the I Survive Books because they introduce him to interesting historical scenarios and lead to conversations about how he might handle challenging events. I far prefer the reading method in his fifth grade class because it simply encourages reading and is not setting a numerical goal which then encourages kids to read shorter books.