Torn between Westgate EES LLIV and Lemon Road AAP Center

[Anonymous]

DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

[Anonymous]

Stay. Lemon road is not better, just a different experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

It depends. If he’s just an overall strong student in all subjects, really thrives on a challenge, and needs more challenge, send him to the center. If he struggles in Lang arts, or is just an above average, hard working student. I’d probably stay. And you need to weigh what is more important to you. I personally wouldn’t base my decision on friends.

[Anonymous]

I am tempted by convenience much more than friends!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

Can you expand on this? I have asked numerous times what the benefit of a center is over local IV, and have yet to receive a response that makes sense. Everything else in your post leads me to say you should stay, primarily for QOL issues.

[Anonymous]

convenience w/access to the curriculum > inconvenience w/ access to the curriculum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

It depends. If he’s just an overall strong student in all subjects, really thrives on a challenge, and needs more challenge, send him to the center. If he struggles in Lang arts, or is just an above average, hard working student. I’d probably stay. And you need to weigh what is more important to you. I personally wouldn’t base my decision on friends.

He's very strong in math and language arts. He doesn't struggle in anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

Can you expand on this? I have asked numerous times what the benefit of a center is over local IV, and have yet to receive a response that makes sense. Everything else in your post leads me to say you should stay, primarily for QOL issues.

Critical mass of similar kids with similar expectations and abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS got into AAP and has the option to attend Lemon Road or stay in Westgate, our home ES, where local level IV AAP is available. We are torn. In support of Westgate is mainly convenience and continuity - we live a block away from school, DS has been walking to and from school for a couple of years by now, and because of this, we have great freedom in the morning and with regard to signing him for afterschool activities - he can just walk home by himself afterwards with no help needed from us. Some of his friends, who were also admitted to AAP, are staying put for various reasons (siblings in AAP already, convenience etc) so he would stay with at least some of his friends if he stays.

On the other hand, of course, an AAP center has its own energy going for it, and possibly greater challenge that comes from many more advanced kid under one roof. If he goes to Lemon Road, he's have to ride the bus to and from. He won't be able to sign up for any afterschool activities because there is no bus service after these, and he can't walk home. We don't want to put him in SACC. So we'd have to either find a carpool or just outright say you can't do anything afterschool.

What would you do? Any experience with either?

Can you expand on this? I have asked numerous times what the benefit of a center is over local IV, and have yet to receive a response that makes sense. Everything else in your post leads me to say you should stay, primarily for QOL issues.

Critical mass of similar kids with similar expectations and abilities.

Wouldn't you get that with a center ES as well? I have to think there are children zoned for Lemon Road that are GE. What makes it a "center", other than just being called one?

[Anonymous]

Research the mobility rate and the makeup of the local center.
For Westgate it is pretty high 20+% consistently for the last 3 years (Division is 11%).
Lemon road dropped from 20% to 14% (consistently)

The local center may lack enough level 4 and pull in level 3 or below.

Compare the Advanced Academics - Level IV count for each school:
Westage is 28 level 4 (4.93%). and 98 level 2/3 (17.25%)
Lemon Rd is 163 level 4 (26.63%), and 79 level 2/3 (12.91%)

Now if you want to compare this to a local center that has a lot of students staying, they line up closely with the AAP center breakdowns without having to move to a center school.

Spring hill:
239 level 4 (22.87%), 195 level 2/3 (18.66%)

Wolftrap:
132 level 4 (22.22%), 44 level 2/3 (7.41%)

Chesterbrook:
135 level 4 (19.91%), 103 level 2/3 (15.19%)

Forestville:
210 level 4 (35.23%), 8 level 2/3 (1.34%)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Research the mobility rate and the makeup of the local center.
For Westgate it is pretty high 20+% consistently for the last 3 years (Division is 11%).
Lemon road dropped from 20% to 14% (consistently)

The local center may lack enough level 4 and pull in level 3 or below.

Compare the Advanced Academics - Level IV count for each school:
Westage is 28 level 4 (4.93%). and 98 level 2/3 (17.25%)
Lemon Rd is 163 level 4 (26.63%), and 79 level 2/3 (12.91%)

Now if you want to compare this to a local center that has a lot of students staying, they line up closely with the AAP center breakdowns without having to move to a center school.

Spring hill:
239 level 4 (22.87%), 195 level 2/3 (18.66%)

What about Shrevewood? That is the only other school that feeds into Lemon Road.

Wolftrap:
132 level 4 (22.22%), 44 level 2/3 (7.41%)

Chesterbrook:
135 level 4 (19.91%), 103 level 2/3 (15.19%)

Forestville:
210 level 4 (35.23%), 8 level 2/3 (1.34%)

[Anonymous]

Where do you get these data I may ask?

I want to compare my DD local vs center

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do you get these data I may ask?

I want to compare my DD local vs center

every school in FCPS has a school profile

Go here
http://schoolprofiles.fcps.edu/schlprfl/f?p=108:8

Select the school
Click the demographics tab
Testing is also a good tab to review

[Anonymous]

Hello, neighbor!

We faced the same decision when our kid placed into AAP level 4. DC had friends at Westgate, and we were comfortable there. But we switched the kid to Lemon Road thinking that having more kids on the same level would be helpful.

I can honestly say it's been a mixed bag. DC is in an all-AAP 4 classroom all day, yes, but they do miss their Westgate friends, and, as you point out, it's hard to do after-school activities there. The curriculum seems slightly more advanced at Lemon Road, but that's balanced by the teachers (at least DC's teachers) being somewhat *less* skilled with AAP teaching, something that has really surprised us.

I think your child will no doubt flourish in either place. Good luck with the decision!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, neighbor!

We faced the same decision when our kid placed into AAP level 4. DC had friends at Westgate, and we were comfortable there. But we switched the kid to Lemon Road thinking that having more kids on the same level would be helpful.

I can honestly say it's been a mixed bag. DC is in an all-AAP 4 classroom all day, yes, but they do miss their Westgate friends, and, as you point out, it's hard to do after-school activities there. The curriculum seems slightly more advanced at Lemon Road, but that's balanced by the teachers (at least DC's teachers) being somewhat *less* skilled with AAP teaching, something that has really surprised us.

I think your child will no doubt flourish in either place. Good luck with the decision!

This may be a factor in that lemon road hasn't been an AAP center until recently. This kind of stuff is not seen in McLean, Vienna or Great Falls AAP centers. Another thing to consider when using the public schools, not all AAP centers are the same. I notice that lemon rd has a lower great schools rating (7) for an AAP center when compared to McLean, Vienna and Great Falls, so there may be some correlation there.