Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:46     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


This seems odd. My now 4th grader definitely came home with more complex spelling lists in third grade. My K kid was the one coming home with 2-3 letter sight word lists. Have you asked the teacher about the curriculum and differentiation?


There is no differentiation. They’ve said there’s differentiation since K but there is not. They say they group gifted kids together but they don’t. I saw the spelling test myself. I’ve given up on any changes internal to the school. The gifted coordinator supposedly gives worksheets to the teachers, but the gifted kids don’t get them and are stuck learning 2-letter words with the kids who can’t read.

So I’m looking for other specific options where I’ll pay to move or pay for private. But I don’t want to move for more of the same!


This randomly happens a lot of places. My reco is to see if you can get permission for your child to read books or do workbooks you give when done with classwork. Just have your kid read extra books and brief you on what they are about. They will go far this way with minimal extra work for the school.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:46     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Agree that it would help to know what school. A good teacher (even a good librarian) makes a huge difference. Seems like there could be something else going on at school that could be frustrating your poor kiddo.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:46     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
OP here. Not going to put my kid but it’s a North Arlington school that is well regarded. If this is outside the norm then I’ll raise hell to get my kid out. Can you please let me know which school you had a good experience with that actually challenged your child?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:42     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


This seems odd. My now 4th grader definitely came home with more complex spelling lists in third grade. My K kid was the one coming home with 2-3 letter sight word lists. Have you asked the teacher about the curriculum and differentiation?


There is no differentiation. They’ve said there’s differentiation since K but there is not. They say they group gifted kids together but they don’t. I saw the spelling test myself. I’ve given up on any changes internal to the school. The gifted coordinator supposedly gives worksheets to the teachers, but the gifted kids don’t get them and are stuck learning 2-letter words with the kids who can’t read.

So I’m looking for other specific options where I’ll pay to move or pay for private. But I don’t want to move for more of the same!


Ok well none of this aligns with my family’s experience in APS. Which school is giving third graders 2 letter spelling words?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:32     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:Which school? Not our experience with APS

Please tell me the name of your APS elementary that did a good job teaching your gifted child. I would love to request a transfer.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:28     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Which school? Not our experience with APS
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:25     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


This seems odd. My now 4th grader definitely came home with more complex spelling lists in third grade. My K kid was the one coming home with 2-3 letter sight word lists. Have you asked the teacher about the curriculum and differentiation?


There is no differentiation. They’ve said there’s differentiation since K but there is not. They say they group gifted kids together but they don’t. I saw the spelling test myself. I’ve given up on any changes internal to the school. The gifted coordinator supposedly gives worksheets to the teachers, but the gifted kids don’t get them and are stuck learning 2-letter words with the kids who can’t read.

So I’m looking for other specific options where I’ll pay to move or pay for private. But I don’t want to move for more of the same!
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:21     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


This seems odd. My now 4th grader definitely came home with more complex spelling lists in third grade. My K kid was the one coming home with 2-3 letter sight word lists. Have you asked the teacher about the curriculum and differentiation?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:14     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


Don't believe the complainers. While it depends on the school, AAP is good for gifted kids.


Which schools specifically are good?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:11     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.


Don't believe the complainers. While it depends on the school, AAP is good for gifted kids.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:04     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:You have to supplement. Order books.

Unless you can afford to move


Yes I can afford to move. That is why I asked the question.
Why would supplementing with books do any good if the child is stuck in school all day learning nothing? They can’t use those supplements during the school day.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 22:00     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
You have to supplement. Order books.

Unless you can afford to move
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 21:54     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Anonymous wrote:Move.


Move where?
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 21:51     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
Move.
Anonymous
Post 09/11/2024 21:45     Subject: APS is failing my gifted child
My 3rd grade gifted kid is just being failed by this school system. No differentiation, no peers in their class that I can see, ridiculous low level instruction. Think 2-letter spelling tests. There are tears every night about how terrible school is and how they aren’t learning anything.

Please, any advice? What’s a viable option? Move to Fairfax? I hear AAP is no great thing. Are there any privates that are more challenging? Thanks for any advice or lessons learned.