Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids can thrive in a center OR in a LLIV, with 2 classes per grade OR just one OR even with just a few other Level IV peers in a mixed classroom.

There's that "thrive" word again.

SOME kids can thrive in a center. SOME kids can thrive in a LLIV. SOME kids can thrive in 2 classes per grade (which is the recommended critical mass based on the research). SOME kids can thrive in just one class per grade. SOME kids can thrive with just a few other Level IV peers in a mixed classroom.

The BEST environment for MOST kids is 2 classes per grade for critical mass.

I'm not sure I agree. We recently made the decision to keep DS at the LLIV, precisely because there is only 1 full class of AAP at each grade, and the teachers are all exceptional. At the Center, we felt the teachers ran the gamut -- some were great, some not.

So for us, we chose LLIV because we basically know who will teach my son for the next 4 years -- and they're STELLAR.

Anonymous wrote:Kids can thrive in a center OR in a LLIV, with 2 classes per grade OR just one OR even with just a few other Level IV peers in a mixed classroom.

There's that "thrive" word again.

SOME kids can thrive in a center. SOME kids can thrive in a LLIV. SOME kids can thrive in 2 classes per grade (which is the recommended critical mass based on the research). SOME kids can thrive in just one class per grade. SOME kids can thrive with just a few other Level IV peers in a mixed classroom.

The BEST environment for MOST kids is 2 classes per grade for critical mass.

Anonymous wrote:A lot boils down to the peer group and the school. A school with 2 or more classes per grade of AAP Center eligible students is much different from a school with a single class per grade with a small number of AAP Center eligible students. Critical mass is important.

SOOOO tired of hearing about "critical mass!" Kids can thrive in a center OR in a LLIV, with 2 classes per grade OR just one OR even with just a few other Level IV peers in a mixed classroom. If you have a good teacher who can differentiate and a school administration who supports AAP, your kid will be fine.

While all 5 of my own kids qualified, I had one who remained in gen-ed for social reasons, 3 who did the center and 1 who did LLIV. So far, all of them are on track to take AP courses in HS, get into good colleges with academic merit aid and be productive members of society who love the work they do. I promise that choosing local or center will not ruin your child for life!

Anonymous wrote:A lot boils down to the teacher and the school.

A lot boils down to the peer group and the school. A school with 2 or more classes per grade of AAP Center eligible students is much different from a school with a single class per grade with a small number of AAP Center eligible students. Critical mass is important.

A lot boils down to the teacher and the school. Our LLIV 4th grade teacher is amazing - I think her students have really been challenged and have
enjoyed learning every step of the way.

thanks, PP!

See the earlier thread:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/294799.page

Is there a real difference? If it matters, it's between Great Falls Elementary and Colvin Run (Colvin Run is the Center).