It will be interesting to see if Haycock continues to outperform other schools once the size of the AAP program is reduced. A larger program makes some opportunities available that are less available in most smaller programs. Not a dig at Haycock or sour grapes, just an observation. It will take a few years to see how the reduced AAP size plays out or if anything changes.

With the pending renovation, I would currently pick Chesterbrook. This last year was difficult for the school, but it was a long time coming. Some of the issues listed above will get better in the future. Reducing the AAP population within the school will bring more balance between the AAP and non-AAP populations. The total school population will also be decreased. Haycock does continue to outperform all the area schools in most academic competitions - science olympiad and math namely. Haycock also has a very strong math program. If these are not really a strong focus for your child, it doesn't seem worth the hassle of the drive and construction.

"That said, I am glad we made the decision to stay put at Chesterbrook given the issues with Haycock's crowding problem. I don't think the issues are bringing out the best in people and I've heard some very negative things about the parents at Haycock. I'm sure it's just a very loud few but hard to ignore. "

actually the whole drama to me brought out the true color of Haycock's principle and some of the staff members -- stay away!!

Anonymous wrote:I have met Chesterbrook parents who are at Haycock because they wanted the center experience and peer set. The renovation will be going on for a couple of years so that might offset this. I have to laugh about Haycock being elitist when most Chesterbrook families live in $1M-$3M houses.

I thought it was clear from my post, but apparently not. I didn't mean economically elitist. Clearly, the area feeding into Chesterbrook is wealthier. I meant elitist with respect to intelligence and academics. The AAP kids at Haycock see themselves as different (and I dare say better) than the Gen Ed kids and I think the school fosters that. This attitude can make it difficult if you have an AAP and a non-AAP child in the same family. Also, I just don't think it's a good attitude to have for life in general. We all have to deal with people that are less intelligent than us or less talented in other ways. As a life skill, it is important to learn how to do that. I feel like Haycock could do better in this respect. As I said, the program is great and there is a lot to like about it. This is an issue that strikes me. It may not be important to others.

Both great schools. If your child is a little quirky or otherwise out of the mainstream, Haycock kids are very accepting. Also, at Haycock doing well academically is a badge of honor, not something to be embarrassed about. If your child is thriving at Chesterbrook, no need to move. But if they are having issues at Chesterbrook, the Haycock environment might be a better fit. I do hear that Chesterbrook's GT homework load tends to be heavy, and big on busy work, whereas Haycock's load is lighter, but with more in-depth projects that the kids learn a lot from, and actually have to do themselves rather than constructing projects out of materials mom had to run to Michaels to get and help put together.

We researched this subject for about a year before finally purchasing our house. Both schools are great, but we wanted options in case our DC didn't' qualify for AAP or had a great group of friends that DC wanted to stay with in 3rd grade and beyond. Chesterbrook just gave us those options with Local Level IV. So glad we did now. 4 years ago, I probably would have said Haycock if you have a kid on the upper end of AAP or really good at math. But now, most of the AAP Chesterbrook kids stay at Chesterbrook and there is just too much drama at Haycock this past year - plus the upcoming 2-3 years of renovations. However, it's also the fit of your DC, so you need to make the choice.

I have met Chesterbrook parents who are at Haycock because they wanted the center experience and peer set. The renovation will be going on for a couple of years so that might offset this. I have to laugh about Haycock being elitist when most Chesterbrook families live in $1M-$3M houses.

Anonymous wrote:Are you going to Chesterbrook now? We decided to stay for a number of reasons not having anything to do with Haycock's overcrowding.

That said, I am glad we made the decision to stay put at Chesterbrook given the issues with Haycock's crowding problem. I don't think the issues are bringing out the best in people and I've heard some very negative things about the parents at Haycock. I'm sure it's just a very loud few but hard to ignore.

Lots of sour grapes in any discussion about Haycock because of the AAP overcrowding, but people really seem to love Chesterbrook.

I have a child in AAP at Haycock. The program is excellent but if I had it to do over again and I had local level I've (which my school does not), I'm not sure if I would chose it. I think it's somewhat elitist and they are constantly telling the kids how smart they are. There is virtually no mixing of AAP and gen Ed. That is disappointing because I can't think of a reason why they can't mix more. As I said, the education is first rate, but you have to weigh that against the social issues. I don't know where I would come out on that. Perhaps find out where your child's friends are going and your child's preference.

Are you going to Chesterbrook now? We decided to stay for a number of reasons not having anything to do with Haycock's overcrowding.

That said, I am glad we made the decision to stay put at Chesterbrook given the issues with Haycock's crowding problem. I don't think the issues are bringing out the best in people and I've heard some very negative things about the parents at Haycock. I'm sure it's just a very loud few but hard to ignore.

Chesterbrook.
Too many kids and too much drama at Haycock. In addition to having half of the 960 kids in trailers, PE is only once a week and library is every other week. It's just too crowded to make it all work right now, and there is no foreseeable end in sight. If we could move right now, we would.

Tough call. They're both excellent.

Chesterbrook if choosing between Chesterbrook and Haycock- Haycock is simply too overcrowded and they are about to go through a huge renovation. Both are excellent programs.

Chesterbrook has two "permanent" trailers (they have been there since the renovation 12?13? 14? years ago) and they are not used for "home room" classes.

What school in FCPS does not have classes in trailers?

We live in Chesterbrook school boundary, DC is center qualified. Debating about staying at Chesterbrook or going to Haycock. I heard some kids in Haycock are having classes in trailers. Is Haycock so good that it's worth having class in trailers?

Your opinion please? Thank you in advance.