Moving soon - looking for advice on AAP center schools
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Anonymous
| DC is a rising 4th grader. Single child. We are in our mid- forties, early fifties. Our rental budget for apartment is <$2000. DC is strong in academics and likes challenges. 65% of his small 3rd grade class qualified for advanced services and I think that the strong peers was a big factor in lifting his performance this year. I think he can benefit if he goes to a center school. I want to go with the elementary schools that are zoned to Carson or Rocky Run (Longfellow zoned schools may not be within our budget?). After researching. there are only 3 schools in my list - Oakhill (but apt rent is $2100+), McNair (several affordable apartments zoned to it and Carson) and Greenbriar West (only 1 pest infested affordable apartment community zoned to both GW and RR). McNair seems to be the obvious choice but I am dragging my feet because of the overcrowding and all the negative comments about it on this forum. Meanwhile, DH met with his best friend in Fairfax yesterday and loves the place. He said it was quieter and nicer than Herndon and everything is nearby. There are couple of good apartments zoned to GW but the MS is Lanier which is a new AAP center. I don’t know what to do. It’s so difficult sitting in another state and trying to decide. Appreciate any help. Should we go with McNair or GW (Lanier) or are there other options that I am not seeing? |
Anonymous
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I’m not sure you know how this works. Your kid has to first qualify for Level 4 services offered at a center school. Just because you live inside the boundaries for a center school does not mean you get access to the Level 4 classrooms.
There are students who live in different catchment areas than the elementary schools you listed above. They have qualified for Level 4 services and then get bus service to the center schools you listed. |
Anonymous
| Was your child in the 65% who qualified? |
Anonymous
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And if your child qualifies, that child will be bused to designated center school. You don’t have to live in the boundary of the center. You can live anywhere in FCPS and your child will attend an AAP center if he tests in and gets accepted.
I would look for housing that works best for your family and make sure it is in a decent high school pyramid. |
Anonymous
It was a small 3rd gr class. So that could mean 5 kids, 11 or more. Also, depends where they are from. My niece was pulled into the gifted program as were lots of kids in her crappy school but she is definitely not gifted (per even her parents). But the no gifted program there is so bad that the teacher said it’s for really, really behind kids. She’s in private now and there she was so behind she had to go back a grade. So gifted does not always equal gifted. I’m not saying this woman’s kid (poster) isn’t gifted. I’m saying that doesn’t mean the same universally in schools. How was it determined that your son was in the program? |
Anonymous
| Lanier is a fine school. It’s also a new AAP school. You’ve got it made. |
Anonymous
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If you don't 100% know that your child will get accepted in AAP, then you should look for a school with a local level IV program, rather than looking for a center school. If your child gets accepted into AAP, you can choose either the local program or the center, and if your child doesn't get accepted, you still might be able to have your child placed in the local AAP class.
If your DH likes Fairfax City, then perhaps Providence ES would be a good choice to consider. It has a local AAP program, a great principal, reasonable class sizes, and you could still choose to attend the AAP center at Mosby Woods ES. |
Anonymous
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OP
06:12 - My understanding is that if DC does not qualify for AAP, they would be in the Gen Ed class at the center. Is this incorrect? Can we not register at the AAP center as a base school? 06:28 - yes. 07:49- The class size was 18. The selected kids had to get 98% in 1 nationally normed IQ test + 98% in 1 national Achievement test to directly qualify. Or get 95% or above each in 2 IQ tests+ 1 Achievement test. 08:13 - I don’t 100% know DC would get selected for AAP but I think there is a good chance. I thought a center will have more similarly minded peers. I also don’t want to change schools if selected for AAP. There are so many ES choices it is confusing what to do |
Anonymous
| OP, just so you know, FCPS AAP is very different from gifted programs in other states where other states actually just take the gifted kids. In FCPS it is about 35% of the class gets in and isn’t based on test scores. Yes, kid has to score a certain percent on cogat test which isn’t difficult ; however, kids teacher has to write a stellar rating for kid and the ultimate decision is holistic based. Therefore, you have kids with lower scores in AAP and sometimes you have actually gifted kids who don’t make it. Odd system. |
Anonymous
| OP, check the condos near AFC metro that feed into Haycock and longfellow. |
Anonymous
| FCPS kids don’t take IQ tests. That’s how bizarre AAP is. Don’t worry, your kid will be fine in gen ed or AAP. Just pick a good neighborhood. |
Anonymous
If the center school is your base school that’s where you’d go. What county and state are you from. I’m a teacher and have taught in 3 states and haven’t heard of this. Or maybe it was private...? |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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OP, you’re overthinking and that’s resulting in extremely limited options. Honestly, just go with a good school that also has Local Level IV. Focus on those in neighborhoods that will provide a good commute at a price point you can afford.
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Anonymous
| Honestly, if your kid is not AAP and you're in a center school sometimes it feels as if you are completely separated from those in Level IV and those getting extra services. I would pick a good school and go with that. Especially if you only have one child. A center is nice if you have more than one kid and then if one is AAP Level IV and one is not you can all be in the same school. |