AAP "Centers" vs Schools with Local Level IV
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Anonymous
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https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/advanced-academic-level-iv-center
What is the difference? Ae there schools that offer neither? If your child makes it int AAP, I know you have the option to relocate to a center school, but do you have to in order to do the program? I guess I'm confused on the distinction. |
Anonymous
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I thought about this too and wonder if the quality of instruction at the local school is equal to that of the center. I presume that the level 4 classes are smaller at the local level. My goal is to make sure my child is receiving more advanced and challenging instruction, whether at a local or center location. With a sibling who is not level 4 I find it may be easier to keep them together. Scheduling for doctor/dentist appts, sick days etc, easier to keep them together - and the local school is closer to home. Moreover, he'll have neighborhood friends outside of AAP whom he can enjoy at the local school. My vote is local, unless there is some strong compelling reason to send him to a center.
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Anonymous
| Our base school does not offer much by way of differentiation. So, no Level IV. I don't believe they offer Leve III until 5th grade. So, if your base school is not LLIV, then you're stuck sending your child to AAP at a center school, if you want them to have that challenge. |
Anonymous
| OP, tell us your base school and we can give you a lot more information. |
Anonymous
Base school Shrevewood, which has local Level IV services Center School Lemon Road I'm inclined to keep my child at Shrevewood for the reasons the PP cited. Was just curious as to the distinction. |
Anonymous
| How good a LLIV is is dependent on the school. Same for a center. Generally, centers are best due to the makeup of the class but in some cases, the LLIV is better. I'm sorry I don't know the answer about your specific school. I know Clermont LLIV is superior to SESS or Bushhill. |
Anonymous
| How about Kent Gardens for local vs. Churchill for Center. |
Anonymous
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We are at Stenwood and we find it a lot better at the base school because of a genuinely smart AART and VP. We have been to Westbriar center school which has an excellent PTA but higher student to teacher ratio and it is extremely crowded.
The base school disadvantage is that your child will study with the same group for four years. It seems to be rather an advantage to us. Hint: L4 at local seems like a private school environment. |
Anonymous
How could you possibly know that? First of all, it's SEES, not "SESS." Second, Bushhill just started it's first AAP class this year. How could you know that Clermont is objectively "superior" to the others? Isn't your opinion based on your subjective criteria? |
Anonymous
Well, for example our base school is neither a center nor has local level IV. Therefore our child who qualified for level IV services must go to our center school to get them. Our base simply does not have or offer level IV. If, however, you are at a base school that offers local level IV, then you have a choice of LLIV or your AAP center. Level IV would be at both but may vary; how it varies likely also varies from one LLIV or center to another. I don’t know loads about LLIV but my understanding from here is that it can vary quite a bit. One main difference across the hoard is that at a LLIV you may (and I think likely will) have some amount of “principal places” students - those who did not get found eligible for level IV but got out in anyway, often to keep high enough #s. In a center, my understanding is that ALL students will be those found eligible for level IV services. |
Anonymous
Not PP but we left SEES after a year to return to Clermont and found Clermont to be better for OUR child. She was challenged more and it was less crowded so she had more individual attention. I can't speak for the program as a whole. I know nothing about Bushhill. |
Anonymous
Also, how's about Camelot Local IV vs. Mantua? (Center) |
Anonymous
| Westgate local vs. Lemon Road center? |
Anonymous
| Louise Archer has a much more in-depth program than Wolftrap and Flint Hill |
Anonymous
This is good to hear, as I believe our ES has the same AART teacher as Stenwood (at least I remember him saying he works at Stenwood!). |