APS Equity over Education

[Anonymous]

On other threads, it seems like APS is focused on equity issues (without really addressing it by boundaries), has severe overcrowding and no support from county to acquire more space or limit student growth.

I feel like the emphasis will be basically bringing up test scores, and any kids above average will be left to fend for themselves with easy classes and no real academic rigor until maybe High School when differentiation is actually “allowed”.

Should we go private or move to FCPS? Our kids are sharp but not self motivated prodigies, so I feel like they are just drifting along through elem and middle school

[Anonymous]

APS is really only good for average students. If you have kids at either end of the spectrum (gifted, learning disabilities) APS is not the place for you. I would go private. I have 3 kids Andy the average student is still in an APS school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS is really only good for average students. If you have kids at either end of the spectrum (gifted, learning disabilities) APS is not the place for you. I would go private. I have 3 kids Andy the average student is still in an APS school.

Why is APS lauded over ACPS? Reflected glory from years past?

[Anonymous]

I don’t know. A LOT of privates bend over backwards to make average rich kids feel special. But they don’t actually challenge them. Sometimes families confuse the two. If you feel your kid needs more attention private is the right option. If you feel your kid needs real academic challenge you need to get them into a top private or probably just stay in public and require them to seek out the enrichment opportunities offered in middle and high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is really only good for average students. If you have kids at either end of the spectrum (gifted, learning disabilities) APS is not the place for you. I would go private. I have 3 kids Andy the average student is still in an APS school.

Why is APS lauded over ACPS? Reflected glory from years past?

I think test scores are better from aps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is really only good for average students. If you have kids at either end of the spectrum (gifted, learning disabilities) APS is not the place for you. I would go private. I have 3 kids Andy the average student is still in an APS school.

Why is APS lauded over ACPS? Reflected glory from years past?

Because it’s still much better than ACPS, despite all the complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know. A LOT of privates bend over backwards to make average rich kids feel special. But they don’t actually challenge them. Sometimes families confuse the two. If you feel your kid needs more attention private is the right option. If you feel your kid needs real academic challenge you need to get them into a top private or probably just stay in public and require them to seek out the enrichment opportunities offered in middle and high.

Agree, but even the top privates are not academically challenging if your kid is really gifted. Public schools in FCPS or MCPS cater to those kids much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know. A LOT of privates bend over backwards to make average rich kids feel special. But they don’t actually challenge them. Sometimes families confuse the two. If you feel your kid needs more attention private is the right option. If you feel your kid needs real academic challenge you need to get them into a top private or probably just stay in public and require them to seek out the enrichment opportunities offered in middle and high.

Agree, but even the top privates are not academically challenging if your kid is really gifted. Public schools in FCPS or MCPS cater to those kids much better.

Don’t pick FCPS. We did and it is a huge disappointment. AAP is okay... but not what it was touted to be, and the overall district is a disaster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know. A LOT of privates bend over backwards to make average rich kids feel special. But they don’t actually challenge them. Sometimes families confuse the two. If you feel your kid needs more attention private is the right option. If you feel your kid needs real academic challenge you need to get them into a top private or probably just stay in public and require them to seek out the enrichment opportunities offered in middle and high.

Agree, but even the top privates are not academically challenging if your kid is really gifted. Public schools in FCPS or MCPS cater to those kids much better.

Don’t pick FCPS. We did and it is a huge disappointment. AAP is okay... but not what it was touted to be, and the overall district is a disaster.

+1. If there are extra seats in AAP, FCPS will admit kids who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for the program just to fill them, which dilutes the program because teachers have to teach to the lowest common denominator.

[Anonymous]

I agree with APS as we must focus on equity to build a strong foundation. Children at the too will always be fine. It’s the bottom that needs resources. Public school have a dark history of racism and inequality. It’s time to turn the tables and focus on those that have been forgotten.

[Anonymous]

I have loved my experience at APS and my kids are above average on standardized test scores (they always get 95th+ percentile). But maybe that’s because we have gotten exceptionally lucky with teachers who are attentive and offer more challenging work to my kids.


One of my friends pulled her daughter out to go to private because she was having a bad experience, but she kept her son in public because it was going okay for him.

And really the most important thing for me is that my kids enjoy their days at school and love learning, and they do. I honestly despise the principal at one of my kids’ schools but she doesn’t impact my kid’s everyday experience, so it’s easy to overlook.

Also about the overcrowding issue: it’s a problem, but I believe caps for class sizes are smaller than at some surrounding schools.

[Anonymous]

Equity is a trash and worthless waste of money

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Equity is a trash and worthless waste of money

Sadly yes. Noble goals that I support, but the unintended consequences are too serious to ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have loved my experience at APS and my kids are above average on standardized test scores (they always get 95th+ percentile). But maybe that’s because we have gotten exceptionally lucky with teachers who are attentive and offer more challenging work to my kids.


One of my friends pulled her daughter out to go to private because she was having a bad experience, but she kept her son in public because it was going okay for him.

And really the most important thing for me is that my kids enjoy their days at school and love learning, and they do. I honestly despise the principal at one of my kids’ schools but she doesn’t impact my kid’s everyday experience, so it’s easy to overlook.

Also about the overcrowding issue: it’s a problem, but I believe caps for class sizes are smaller than at some surrounding schools.

Ok, I can’t help but wonder about the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Equity is a trash and worthless waste of money

Hi bigot.