Hello, I can't find much info about St Albans Summer academic programs. Interested in anyone's experience. In particular, interested in their middle school academic skills and writing programs. -- Thanks in advance.

I've brought my kids (at different points in elementary school and middle school) to all - Kumon, Mathnasium, AOPS, and Russian Math, and had them "assessed" and asked a lot of questions about their methodology, and asked to see the workbooks, etc.

In the end, that is what you have to do. Figure out your kids weak spots, and then figure out which methodology would best fit his/her need.

From watching my 3rd grade daughter do her one sheet daily math homework, I saw she got the concepts, but still didn't have a math facts down pat. So Kumon was great for her: daily math sheets to practice and drill the facts. It also was good for my middle schooler for a bit, as he had to do a lot of double digit greatest common factor, least common multiple, complex fractions calculations - it was good practice to develop greater ease and familiarity beyond single digit numbers.

My kids didn't do Mathnasium, but I had them assessed by them, and asked about their methodology. I think it'd be good if you want your kid to do more math sheets of the type of math they do at school, with a tutor nearby to ask questions to, and have a chance at "getting ahead," or getting help from the tutor for gaps and hard spots. What I least liked is that I would not be able to see the work they are doing. They keep them in binders at school. Also, I wasn't able to see the assessment. They just gave me an aggregate dashboard type of report.

RSM Honors classes and AOP are probably most similar.

Both my kids are in the RSM mid-level class -- one in late elementary school, one in middle school. Very good for making sure they understands the concepts by asking more word based problems, probling their math understanding through different types of problems, and more complicated problems that require focus, consistency, and precision, eg "remembering the negative sign." For example, in schools, my 5th grader was deemed to know fractions. At RSM, she's gotten to really understand it. However, she hates that classes are 2 hours long. I love the workbooks, and the problems, but wish the classes were shorter.

OP here. Thank you all very much. I wind up calling a practice to start exploring, and they helped me think things through. I wish I'd know I could've just called. They told me the codes, and "how" to ask what questions to my insurance company.

1) What percentage do they cover out-of-network for the following procedure codes? (The practice also told me on average the number of "units" they would use for each code.)

90791
96130 / 96131
96136 / 96137
96138 / 96139

2) What is their "usual and customary" rate for the above procedure codes?

3) Do they have any limits on the number of units that can be charged?

4) How much of the out-of-network deductible has been met?

This was all very helpful to me.

I suggest if you are facing the same issue, get a good recommendation on a practice. And call and ask how much and what kind of questions you should ask your insurance to help you plan and figure out how much it will cost you.

My best to all, and good luck. It's not easy.

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. My sense is that there are in network providers available, but that the wait lists are very long. I think Children's National is in-network. Thank you all again.

Hello all, I currently have health insurance but it covers only in network care (BCBS Federal Employee Program Basic). But it appears most providers providing neuropsych and edpsych testing are out of network.

I'm considering getting insurance that provides some coverage for out of network care (BCBS FEP Standard), but it has a higher premium, and a deductible. For 2024, Standard would be more by about $3,560 more than Basic (deductible plus the difference in premium. There are a few other differences, but I think the rest are very minor. This is all public info on the OPM website.) I'm trying to calculate whether it's worth the trade off.

Under Standard plan, I will pay 35% of the Plan allowance (and whatever amount the provider charges above the allowance) and BCBS will pay 65%. I' have to "use up" a large enough Plan allowance so that 65% of it would at least equal $3,560, to be worth the trade off. So, I'd have to use up at least $5,500 worth of medical care Plan allowance out-of-network to be worth the gtrade off the $3,560 in increased premium and deductible.

So, I called the insurance company and asked "what is the plan allowance for neuropsych or edpsych testing" but they said it all depends on the code, but they won't tell me what the code is.

I google a bit to see if I could figure out the code, but there appears to be several, for different types of activities. This is one source I found (https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/health-codes/testing/neuropsychological-testing.pdf).

Also, how much to providers out of network tend to charge above the plan allowance?

I would be utterly indebted to anyone that could help me think this through.

Thank you.

But you weren't being informative, you wrote "Younger teachers in MCPS. Not at my daughter’s private school."

We're wondering about use of chromebook, or screen in general, at the elementary level. We come from another school district where there was some use of screen, eg at math stations in use of math software (Iready), and in English/social studies for writing stories, and creating power point presentations. I found this more than enough.

We might be moving to MCPS (specifically zone for Westbrook) and wonder if it might be worse. Eg: are kids handed out chromebooks to do their homework, assignments, etc? Or are assignments and homework still somewhat paper based? Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:OP ask the school if they will accept the online Health via BYU. My kid did that and they give you 12 months to complete each half a year (totally excessive amount of time) its entirely online and no live sessions. Costs about $200

What does BYU stand for? -- Thank you.

PP here. I'm trying to understand the extent of writing feedback (to prepare for college) provided directly through classes, and if the student needs more help, the extent to which Whitman's Writing Center and / or BCC's TAP provides it -- for "regular" kid, not IEP, nor ESOL, nor "remedial."

But, in the end, if IB and extended essay is not the right fit, how is Whitman's Writing Center and BCC's TAP?

Understood, but what then about the external support, eg Whitman's Writing Center or BCC's TAP?

Do they get good support, feedback, etc. on the extended essay? I can imagine after barely any support in public middle school and the earlier part of HS, the extended essay would hit them like a ton of bricks.

The topic is to inquire about what makes Whitman's reputation as a pressure cooker school. It is NOT about issues around equity, busing, housing, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure what point OP is making about AP vs. non-AP classes. AP classes still have grades that are separate from AP scores. "Pressure-cooker" schools are just a function of lots of affluent kids in one place pursuing the same rigorous classes and extracurriculars. Whitman is the most affluent HS in MCPS.

What I meant was ..... I would think that your grade in an AP class wouldn't matter "as much" - since what would count more is your score on the AP exam. But, for non-AP classes, your grade would matter more since there is no "outside" exam to show how you did. But, now that I think about it, your grade in your AP class still contributes to your GPA, and colleges still look at overall GPA. So yes, now that I'm thinking it through better, I see that the "pressure" environment would be both for AP and non-AP classes.

OP here. I greatly appreciate all the shared experiences, particularly about Whitman and having to try out for everything, clubs being no more than resume builders for the club leaders, and the Whitman parent sharing about the grades, classes taken, and how it all shook out in college. It is a shame kids can't relax a bit.