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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Are they in gifted programs in their current state?

If not, don't worry about AAP.  Find a decent pyramid with an 8-9 ranked elementary school with a reasonable commute in a house you can afford.

Avoid the "top" pyramids.

Get settled into your schools. The schools will test your kids, usually the first month if they start in the fall.  You can cross the AAP bridge if you need to then.[/quote]

[b]This is terrible advice. Especially if you don't buy into a Center school. Why would you move kids to a new town, start them in a new school, and then move them to a second school a few months later, or even the next year?[/b]

OP-- you can apply out of cycle for AAP if you move into FCPS. But only after you move. You get a quick decision. But you have to supply and pay for your own testing.

Lingo in brief.  You base school is you local ES or MS that every kid on your street is zoned to go.  Kids can qualify for FT gifted placement starting in 3rd and continuinguntil 8t. About 15% qualify,  but that's deceptive. Fairfax County is one of wealthiest counties in the country, and the most educated.  If your kid qualifies for AAP, the bus to the nearest ES that offers FT gifted services (as well as standard classes for their base school kids who are not AAP.  So there may be 3 AAP and 3 Gen Ed classes per grade, starting in 3rd).   That is an AAP Center.  Some schools in wealthy or Asian areas have a large number of kids at the base school program, and can offer a full AAP classroom, or close. Those schools can apply to become Local Level IV programs, and offer FT services their AAP kids. Kids who qualify for AAP in LLIV schools can choose whether to go to an AAP Center or stay in the LLIV programs.

There are also varying degrees off gifted support offered for kids who do not qualify for level IV (full time services). That's levels I, II, and III, and happens at the child's base school.

That's the program in a nutshell. Caveat: the simplified version-- before people chime in about the exception to the exception. [/quote]

No.

It is very good advice if OPs kids are not already GT qualified in another state.

If they are average or bright kids, OP has many wonderful options available to her that do not involve AAP.

Moving to a center is not a big deal. Kids do it all the time.  Or OP may find her kids love their neighborhood school: walking home with their neighbor friends, enriching and dedicated teachers, having the neighborhood community being a part of the school community.

OP, there are many exceptional elementary schools that are not AAP centers, and so many things to consider in this area besides AAP when house hunting.

For example, all of the elementary schools in our pyramid do advanced math (same as center) and have enriching level III pull out services.

If OPs kids are not already in a gifted program, they have so many great non center options for school.

Where are you commuting to OP? Are your kid already in gifted programs?

If they are in gifted programs my answer would be different. But if they are not, don't worry about AAP when searching for a home.  Look at commute, then schools (8-9 is a good measuring stick to start your search), community (are you hard chargers? Military? Laid back? Suburban people?) and budget.

Commute is most important.[/quote]

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