Best Arlington Middle School?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Hamm offer gifted English or Social Studies programming, does anyone know? My child was previously identified and I can’t tell how it is structured in middle school. TY!

I don’t think any APS middle school differentiates for anything other than math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Hamm offer gifted English or Social Studies programming, does anyone know? My child was previously identified and I can’t tell how it is structured in middle school. TY!

Yes, there is a gifted resource specialist at each middle school who works with teachers to develop differentiated materials. You should be able to find more info (maybe a BTS night recording?) online. If not, reach out to the specialist at Hamm. Middle schools are required to cluster gifted students like they do in ES, but as far as I know math is the only subject that that actually has a separate, accelerated class (although that class isn’t necessarily totally composed of gifted identified students, and not all gifted students are placed in that class).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does Hamm offer gifted English or Social Studies programming, does anyone know? My child was previously identified and I can’t tell how it is structured in middle school. TY!

Yes, there is a gifted resource specialist at each middle school who works with teachers to develop differentiated materials. You should be able to find more info (maybe a BTS night recording?) online. If not, reach out to the specialist at Hamm. Middle schools are required to cluster gifted students like they do in ES, but as far as I know math is the only subject that that actually has a separate, accelerated class (although that class isn’t necessarily totally composed of gifted identified students, and not all gifted students are placed in that class).

Yeah, well, that's on paper. My kids were "gifted" in multiple subjects; but nothing was done in middle school, even the clustering, until I asked for it (English, social studies). I agree on the math point, however; they're done by class as in Algebra v. pre-algebra, for example; but not necessarily by gifted identification. And that's absolutely appropriate, IMO. 7th and 8th graders taking Algebra don't need to be separated into gifted 7th graders and gifted 8th graders taking algebra. algebra is algebra. But 7th grade English isn't "advanced" and 6th grade social studies isn't "advanced." Those subjects need differentiation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does Hamm offer gifted English or Social Studies programming, does anyone know? My child was previously identified and I can’t tell how it is structured in middle school. TY!

Yes, there is a gifted resource specialist at each middle school who works with teachers to develop differentiated materials. You should be able to find more info (maybe a BTS night recording?) online. If not, reach out to the specialist at Hamm. Middle schools are required to cluster gifted students like they do in ES, but as far as I know math is the only subject that that actually has a separate, accelerated class (although that class isn’t necessarily totally composed of gifted identified students, and not all gifted students are placed in that class).

Yeah, well, that's on paper. My kids were "gifted" in multiple subjects; but nothing was done in middle school, even the clustering, until I asked for it (English, social studies). I agree on the math point, however; they're done by class as in Algebra v. pre-algebra, for example; but not necessarily by gifted identification. And that's absolutely appropriate, IMO. 7th and 8th graders taking Algebra don't need to be separated into gifted 7th graders and gifted 8th graders taking algebra. algebra is algebra. But 7th grade English isn't "advanced" and 6th grade social studies isn't "advanced." Those subjects need differentiation.

PP here. I should have clarified that "my asking" involved me reminding the counselor that my children are gifted in such and such but they didn't seem to be in the most engaged/productive class, and the counselor saying they will make sure they're in with the gifted cluster because they hadn't been previously. While that may not be sufficient for some parents; there was a clear difference in the amount, depth and quality of work after this. One kid had an IEP, which I believe is all APS sees and they're more concerned about meeting co-taught class requirements than the student being in the most appropriate class academically. The other kid, I have no idea why they weren't placed in the gifted cluster groups before I asked. I suspect it's focusing on the IEPs and balancing out classes taking priority over making sure gifted identifications are matched with the right classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does Hamm offer gifted English or Social Studies programming, does anyone know? My child was previously identified and I can’t tell how it is structured in middle school. TY!

Yes, there is a gifted resource specialist at each middle school who works with teachers to develop differentiated materials. You should be able to find more info (maybe a BTS night recording?) online. If not, reach out to the specialist at Hamm. Middle schools are required to cluster gifted students like they do in ES, but as far as I know math is the only subject that that actually has a separate, accelerated class (although that class isn’t necessarily totally composed of gifted identified students, and not all gifted students are placed in that class).

Yeah, well, that's on paper. My kids were "gifted" in multiple subjects; but nothing was done in middle school, even the clustering, until I asked for it (English, social studies). I agree on the math point, however; they're done by class as in Algebra v. pre-algebra, for example; but not necessarily by gifted identification. And that's absolutely appropriate, IMO. 7th and 8th graders taking Algebra don't need to be separated into gifted 7th graders and gifted 8th graders taking algebra. algebra is algebra. But 7th grade English isn't "advanced" and 6th grade social studies isn't "advanced." Those subjects need differentiation.

PP here. I should have clarified that "my asking" involved me reminding the counselor that my children are gifted in such and such but they didn't seem to be in the most engaged/productive class, and the counselor saying they will make sure they're in with the gifted cluster because they hadn't been previously. While that may not be sufficient for some parents; there was a clear difference in the amount, depth and quality of work after this. One kid had an IEP, which I believe is all APS sees and they're more concerned about meeting co-taught class requirements than the student being in the most appropriate class academically. The other kid, I have no idea why they weren't placed in the gifted cluster groups before I asked. I suspect it's focusing on the IEPs and balancing out classes taking priority over making sure gifted identifications are matched with the right classes.

I’m sorry to hear that. We didn’t have those problems with my older kid, but my youngest just started ms, so I’ll make sure to keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

Very little mention of KMS on this thread. FWIW- its arts program is wonderful, it has a great staff and the building is stunning. I can’t imagine wanting anything more from a MS.

[Anonymous]

They are all fine. I don’t know that one is significantly better than another. Diversity is a good thing!

[Anonymous]

Any 2023 updates on Arlington middle schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any 2023 updates on Arlington middle schools?

They are differentiating more than math this year.

[Anonymous]

Care to elaborate? That might be helpful, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Care to elaborate? That might be helpful, thanks.

They are offering classes with more work (I forget the official name) but kids can self select into them. It is not clear how meaningful it will be.

[Anonymous]

Not sure exactly what is being offered but this was proposed:

“ open-enrollment, intensified English, social studies, and science courses “

[Anonymous]

As of this year APS is offering intensified classes at the 7th and 8th grade levels in English, Science, and Social Studies (although 8th grade is supposedly already intensified). Classes will be rolled out to 6th grade next year.

Classes are self-selecting, you don't have to be identified GT, and APS is working hard to ensure that enrollment mirrors the demographics of the school in terms of SES, race and ELL or special ed designations so that they don't become de facto tracking or an in-school white flight at the poorer schools.

The curriculum in Virginia is set so what's being offered is supposedly going to go deeper, not broader in terms of covering content. In theory the classes should therefore better meet the needs of high achieving kids and those who are motivated enough to want the extra challenge. Lots of people have pushed for this for years so we will see how it ends up playing out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jefferson obviously isn't on a par with Hamm or Williamsburg, but it's the fastest improving APS MS. No longer one to avoid.

I’m happy to hear you think Jefferson is “the fastest improving MS”, but in what exactly?
Any recent changes? Certain academics or subjects? New great staff? You can’t be talking about demographics, there’s been no changes?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any 2023 updates on Arlington middle schools?

They are differentiating more than math this year.

I did not see that, it’s only 2 options; math 6 or pre-algebra?