Haycock AAP vs. Franklin Sherman local school
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Anonymous
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My 2nd grader got into AAP, but has to choose between the center school at Haycock or local FS.
DH loves FS, and has best friend here. Her bf is unlikely to go to Haycock, so DH is strongly against leaving FS. But FS has no homework and a lot of talented kids leave for Haycock or private after 3rd grade. So we think academically we should choose Haycock. But I also heard the over competition, stress and bully issues in Haycock that make me worry... Any parents have done both and any insights? |
Anonymous
| The two schools are totally different, in my opinion. FS is a third of the size of Haycock, roughly. It's tough to decide this year because it's hard to know who else made LIV and of those, who is planning on attending center vs base. My kids go to Haycock. Haycock is also no homework (real homework) until they hit 5th grade. The teachers are hit or miss, depends on your luck. There is definitely more competition and definite bully issues at the school. The Administration tries, but given that Haycock hasn't had a Principal in almost 2 years, it's a big problem. As great as Augie is, he's been pinch hitting as a Principal for a number of years and his disengagement is starting to show quite a bit. So, those are the big negatives. |
Anonymous
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Only you know the right answer. However I have seen people in your exact situation (FS vs Haycock, friend staying at FS) and the child is completely over it by week 2 of school and doing fine at Haycock.
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Anonymous
OP here. Thank you. I hope children are more resilient than we thought. |
Anonymous
OP here. The bully issue really worries me. My 2nd grader is sooo happy at FS and can walk to school, and I can't imagine how she handles bully issues. Since you've experienced both schools, do you see the academic difference is that big between FS and Haycock? Thank you! |
Anonymous
The slim margin in improvement that could possibly be offered will do much less to help your child than being around bullies and an ineffective administration and culture will hurt your child. Seriously, AAP is basically one year ahead on math and weeded out dummies and kids who can't basic. It's not some kind of prep for future theoretical physicists. |
Anonymous
PP here on the Haycock issues. Yes I agree with the statement above. If FS provides 'Advanced Math' and your child can get a guaranteed seat, I feel like there may not be that much more benefit on LIV at Haycock. The size of Haycock is just too much and that alone causes my children a lot of chaos. I much prefer the smaller feel of FS, where the Administration is very responsive because they aren't dealing with 1000 kids. |
Anonymous
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My DS is in 3rd AAP at Haycock - it's our base school. There are a ton of kids from Franklin Sherman in his class. I don't know the exact counts but offhand I know of one from Timber Lane, a couple from Chesterbrook, and five or six from Franklin Sherman. In theory I like the fact that Franklin Sherman is so much smaller but in reality, there's probably a reason that so many kids come to Haycock.
One of the kids actually got special permission to come in 2nd grade because she had some serious health issues caused by mold at FS. I think that's been resolved now though. |
Anonymous
| IME, you only need the advanced math in ES. If the advanced math at Franklin Sherman is up to snuff, stay at FS. All the McLean ES have enough of a cohort of smart students - even after some leave for Haycock or Churchill Road. |
Anonymous
I agree! The Advanced Math is the only reason for LIV and FS can accommodate it, I think your child will naturally be much happier in the base school with friends and administration they know. The size of Haycock, lack of Administration lead, and the VERY LARGE level IV classes are a bit much. Given that their current Principal is facing misdemeanor charges for neglecting to inform the authorities of potential child abuses, I'm not really sure he'll be returning to his post. And, god forbid, if he gets a fine and is able to return, what does that say about Haycock's administration?! The current AP staff are overwhelmed, and getting an adequate response from them is next to impossible. During the whole debacle of distance learning, I was getting more feedback from the listserv of our base school Administration than Haycock. The school is just not properly run, IMHO. I think it's due to the lack of a Principal, and I don't think FCPS is even looking to replace the current Principal until the trial this summer and then FCPS will make a determination, which means Haycock would likely be without a principal for the entirety of the next school year--that'll make it 3 years of no proper leadership. It's crazy! It's too late for me to pull my kids out, but if I had to do it over again and Advanced Math was offered at base school, it would be a very easy decision for me. |
Anonymous
| Another concern is the reopening. If the school really reopen, maybe a smaller school is safer compared to a much larger school? |
Anonymous
| Hi - if OP is around- wondering what you ended up choosing and if you were happy with your decision. We are in a similar situation now. |
Anonymous
Some of the information is the earlier posts is now stale. For example, Haycock has had a new principal since the fall of 2020 and she's quite good. FS is still a lot smaller than Haycock, though, and some people prefer the smaller size and absence of a big AAP program. |
Anonymous
I agree and will add, my child also has not experienced bullying or spoken of others being bullied and has been at haycock for 6 years (base and AAP). |
Anonymous
| That’s helpful, thank you. How large are the classes typically and any feedback on the current third grade aap teachers? |