What is so special about AAP?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't know the difference either. MY DC just got in because he was pool eligible. My DC loved the first year in AAP which is third grade. The rest of the years have not been as enriching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question isn't whether some kids who don't have AAP can succeed in HS. The question is whether many more kids would have greater success in HS if they had been given the AAP curriculum.

All these anecdotes of "I know a kid who wasn't in AAP and ended up in Harvard..." are beside the point. I, too, know a child who didn't get into AAP and then went to TJHS and Cornell. The question is how many more kids would succeed in AP classes or SATs or whatever IF they had been given AAP access. We have some data on that with the math classes -- they DO show that kids exposed to adv. math lessons achieve more than kids who aren't exposed to adv. math and that continues through HS.

We simply don't have the data on other subjects. Anecdotes are not dispositive.

This is true. I'm one of the PPs with an anecdote (actually, I have many) about how Gen Ed and AAP kids wind up doing equally well once in high school, given the same type of kids - good students, etc. I guess my point was that so many younger parents, who haven't yet had kids go through high school, insist that their kids be in AAP or else they "won't succeed" later. I find it kind of pathetic that these parents actually think AAP is what will give their kids that "edge" over kids who were in Gen Ed. It's because of this rampant mythologizing about AAP - which is really just a slightly accelerated curriculum - that so many parents obsess over getting their kids into the program in the first place. And it's that obsession which has made the entire subject of AAP so very, very tiresome.

My youngest is in AAP and I am happy he is there because he would not succeed as well in a general ed class now. Kids' needs change over time (including one year to the next) and I am pleased the AAP services are able to meet him where he is now.

High school is three years away and no one knows what his needs will be like at that time.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I thought the true reasons for AAP is because this is a program for those quirky kids that learn in a different pace and different ways than the "normal" kids. And it is good for those quirky kids to find their peers. Put these quirky kids in normal classrooms, they could be bored and boredom leads to challenges for the teachers to manage the classroom.

I have one of those quirky kids, who, while always well liked, never really made any lasting meaningful friendship until now that she is in the AAP class. She finally "clicked" with her equally quirky friends (some I have met in person and immediately see their resemblances). These kids constantly challenge the system, push the limits and ready to rebel if they don't find challenging things to keep them occupied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I thought the true reasons for AAP is because this is a program for those quirky kids that learn in a different pace and different ways than the "normal" kids. And it is good for those quirky kids to find their peers. Put these quirky kids in normal classrooms, they could be bored and boredom leads to challenges for the teachers to manage the classroom.

I have one of those quirky kids, who, while always well liked, never really made any lasting meaningful friendship until now that she is in the AAP class. She finally "clicked" with her equally quirky friends (some I have met in person and immediately see their resemblances). These kids constantly challenge the system, push the limits and ready to rebel if they don't find challenging things to keep them occupied.

Ugh.
There may indeed be quirky kids in AAP, but the majority of them are of the extremely average, mainstream variety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I thought the true reasons for AAP is because this is a program for those quirky kids that learn in a different pace and different ways than the "normal" kids. And it is good for those quirky kids to find their peers. Put these quirky kids in normal classrooms, they could be bored and boredom leads to challenges for the teachers to manage the classroom.

I have one of those quirky kids, who, while always well liked, never really made any lasting meaningful friendship until now that she is in the AAP class. She finally "clicked" with her equally quirky friends (some I have met in person and immediately see their resemblances). These kids constantly challenge the system, push the limits and ready to rebel if they don't find challenging things to keep them occupied.

Ugh.
There may indeed be quirky kids in AAP, but the majority of them are of the extremely average, mainstream variety.

Agree. AAP is diluted a lot, it is not fully of quirky kids. The more it gets diluted in one year, the higher the chance of it getting diluted more next year. This is due to more parents pushing their kids (who otherwise might not be in AAP) into the system via referrals/appeals, as AAP cut-off criteria becomes less & less stringent.

[Anonymous]

AGREED! I think if acceptance into the AAP is about 10% of all students, most of the parents would be okay if their DC didn't make the cut (after all, only 1 out of 10 makes it). But if the acceptance into the program is at 40% that's what make all the parents go nut! Now they must make sure their DC be in that top 40% group or else! I admit, I would be one of those parents!

FCPS completely screwed up the AAP screening criteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AGREED! I think if acceptance into the AAP is about 10% of all students, most of the parents would be okay if their DC didn't make the cut (after all, only 1 out of 10 makes it). But if the acceptance into the program is at 40% that's what make all the parents go nut! Now they must make sure their DC be in that top 40% group or else! I admit, I would be one of those parents!

FCPS completely screwed up the AAP screening criteria.

AAP acceptance ranges from 15-17%.

[Anonymous]

I see many posters on this thread describing "quirky" kids in AAP. What is your definition of "quirky"? In my world, is it code for mild ASD or Aspergers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGREED! I think if acceptance into the AAP is about 10% of all students, most of the parents would be okay if their DC didn't make the cut (after all, only 1 out of 10 makes it). But if the acceptance into the program is at 40% that's what make all the parents go nut! Now they must make sure their DC be in that top 40% group or else! I admit, I would be one of those parents!

FCPS completely screwed up the AAP screening criteria.

AAP acceptance ranges from 15-17%.

However, they differ wildly from school to school- so at some schools it is 40% and people think it is this way for the rest. However, if a school has 40% who qualify- then they should be able to have a robust LLIV program and not need a center.

[Anonymous]

It's around 10% in my neighborhood for 3rd graders this year. That includes the center and local level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AGREED! I think if acceptance into the AAP is about 10% of all students, most of the parents would be okay if their DC didn't make the cut (after all, only 1 out of 10 makes it). But if the acceptance into the program is at 40% that's what make all the parents go nut! Now they must make sure their DC be in that top 40% group or else! I admit, I would be one of those parents!

FCPS completely screwed up the AAP screening criteria.

AAP acceptance ranges from 15-17%.

However, they differ wildly from school to school- so at some schools it is 40% and people think it is this way for the rest. However, if a school has 40% who qualify- then they should be able to have a robust LLIV program and not need a center.

Exactly! With such a high percentage, there should be no option to go to a Center.

[Anonymous]

PP: that's the case with springhill ES in McLean. It is designated as "level IV local only" meaning it only takes AAP students that are within springhill ES boundry, and AAP is 40% of its students. The problem is FCPS still allows AAP springhill kids to opt to go to a center school (Churchill) if family wants to. So basically any students from springhill ES qualified for AAP have choices between two schools to attend! Family will need to provide own transportation if they choose to go to Churchill though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP: that's the case with springhill ES in McLean. It is designated as "level IV local only" meaning it only takes AAP students that are within springhill ES boundry, and AAP is 40% of its students. The problem is FCPS still allows AAP springhill kids to opt to go to a center school (Churchill) if family wants to. So basically any students from springhill ES qualified for AAP have choices between two schools to attend! Family will need to provide own transportation if they choose to go to Churchill though.

FCPS should not provide a Center option for Springhill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP: that's the case with springhill ES in McLean. It is designated as "level IV local only" meaning it only takes AAP students that are within springhill ES boundry, and AAP is 40% of its students. The problem is FCPS still allows AAP springhill kids to opt to go to a center school (Churchill) if family wants to. So basically any students from springhill ES qualified for AAP have choices between two schools to attend! Family will need to provide own transportation if they choose to go to Churchill though.

FCPS should not provide a Center option for Springhill.

Or Great Falls and Forestville. Same situations there - totally crazy to offer center options to these schools.

[Anonymous]

What is so special about AAP? It is like getting a guaranteed pass to an Ivy or M.I.T. Or Stanford. AAP opens a magical world of possibilities. If your child gets into AAP then he or she will likely be a future hedge fund manager who can support you in your dotage. AAP means your child has already had their ticket stamped for a long and successful life.