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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Bump.

We are moving from FCPS to APS next year. One kid will be starting in 7th grade. Super bright kid but struggles with EF (ADHD).

He will be taking algebra but we are wondering about the intensified classes. It sounds like they cover the same material but just more work/extensions. He can handle the content but not sure we want to push it with additional (unnecessary) assignments/homework. But maybe it’s a social differentiator?

What are most 7th grade kids doing next year? Are most of the “smart” kids take intensified?

And 8th grade history goes on HS transcript so intensified matters for that class? [/quote]

"Social differentiator"??!!! Is that how you choose classes for your child?
Your child should take the classes that are most appropriate for THEM regardless of what other kids are taking. Taking a too-challenging course (especially something like math) just because the other kids are does not serve a child well. 
Both of my kids were "gifted" in math but chose to stay with the grade-level pathway progression. Math isn't their passion and they preferred to challenge themselves in subjects of greater interest to them. They were still friends with their peers who took the accelerated math pathway.[/quote]

Thanks. Do you get the sense that most "gifted" kids do challenge themselves in APS middle schools? Are your kids going to do intensified next year? 
[/quote]

My "sense" is (1) that a lot of parents think their kids truly are gifted and (2) many understand that "gifted" doesn't really mean what it used to mean and getting them identified as such is the only way to make sure they don't get overlooked and under-served because the kids in the middle often seem to be ill-served.

Personally, I don't think APS middle schools are particularly rigorous in general. We're done with middle school now; so I can't speak to the new efforts with actually having intensified classes. Nevertheless, my "sense" and experience has been that parents and teachers both kind of push some kids into accelerated math regardless of how the student feels about it. On the other hand, our experience also is that if your above-average intelligence child has an IEP and isn't a straight-A student, they don't necessarily encourage an appropriate level of intellectual challenge and don't recommend them for AP World History or even intensified (for example) going into high school. Parents need to advocate for the appropriate level of academic challenge for their kids; and that, for us, went in both directions: no, keep child in grade level math; and, don't you think at least intensified history is appropriate for this child's knowledge and interests and will perhaps be more engaging than the general ed class?

Both of my children have/are ultimately pursued/pursuing the challenges they each feel are appropriate and of relevance for them, their goals, and their interests. Both have taken various intensified and AP classes. One is graduating this year; the other is planning to take 3 AP classes and an intensified class next year - notably, including an AP class they never had interest in pursuing, likely due to lack of confidence and concerns about time management (both of which have been alleviated by pursuing appropriate levels of challenge, succeeding when they pushed their boundaries, talking with students who have taken the various courses, and having very good teachers who have made their classes interesting and have helped develop their skills and confidence in their abilities.

I apologize for the lengthy response. Bottom line is that I think students generally challenge themselves to the extent the school offers challenge and/or to the extent parents push them with extra "enrichment" and learning opportunities outside of school. Middle school during our time there did not pose much academic challenge; but we were fortunate to have a few specific great teachers who encouraged and prepared them well for greater challenges in and throughout high school. (FWIW, we are a Title I elementary to TJ to Wakefield pyramid family). Middle school, IMO, was the weak leak.[/quote]

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