Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bought 15 years ago - way before kids - so I knew nada about FCPS. Our base is a center school. I found that out when our DC was accepted into AAP. Not everyone who buys is buying because of scores.

These days they are. Fifteen years ago, AAP was GT and served a fraction of the kids it does today. Realtors in our neighborhood, at least, specifically mention the elementary school is a center.

Good grief; we're looking for a home right now and it has to be served by a NON-center school. We've had it.

Anonymous wrote:I bought 15 years ago - way before kids - so I knew nada about FCPS. Our base is a center school. I found that out when our DC was accepted into AAP. Not everyone who buys is buying because of scores.

These days they are. Fifteen years ago, AAP was GT and served a fraction of the kids it does today. Realtors in our neighborhood, at least, specifically mention the elementary school is a center.

I bought 15 years ago - way before kids - so I knew nada about FCPS. Our base is a center school. I found that out when our DC was accepted into AAP. Not everyone who buys is buying because of scores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's center class has 32 kids in it this year. I wish people would stay in their base schools.

Hey, you chose a center school (probably for the high test scores). Get over it or move.

It's our base school. Sorry you couldn't afford to buy here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's center class has 32 kids in it this year. I wish people would stay in their base schools.

Hey, you chose a center school (probably for the high test scores). Get over it or move.

Or maybe the center school came to them. No need to be so rude. Centers in general are the most ridiculous thing ever. It's high time the county did away with that concept.

Anonymous wrote:My child's center class has 32 kids in it this year. I wish people would stay in their base schools.

Hey, you chose a center school (probably for the high test scores). Get over it or move.

Anonymous wrote:My child's center class has 32 kids in it this year.

My child's center class has 20 kids in it this year.

I guess it depends upon the center, the grade, and the year.

My child's center class has 32 kids in it this year. I wish people would stay in their base schools.

Thanks - definitely food for thought. He is also ADHD & needs organizational support - the absorption of content is easy - the output - expressing what was learned - has been a challenge. I'm worried he'll feel overwhelmed at the center, but I've also read on other threads that he would likely not be the only one in that boat there. Socially, he's a bit naive - a little immature - but very friendly. I have a call into some school personnel to let them tell me the difference too, but I appreciate the feedback!!

Anonymous wrote:Which LLIV and which center? The class sizes typically fluctuate depending on who enrolls. It's different each year. Often when a center is overcrowded, they mean there is no art room or many trailers on site. It's not typically related to class size.

I agree.

Also consider what you plan to do for middle and high school.

My kid was in the same boat and we chose the center for that kid while siblings remained at that base school. It was the best decision academically and socially for that child. The later elementary years at the center were perfect for the type of student and personality of that particular kid.

However, since my kid never went to the base school and we had no direct neighbors who were the same age and not at center, my kid never got to know the neighborhood base school kids, except for one or two through church.

Now that this kid is switching to the non-center for middle school it is like starting all over as the new kid. Most of the kids from the center stayed with the center. My kid chose the LLIV at the base middle school for a couple of reasons, including meeting more friends for high school. I think middle school might end up a challenge at first since so few kids that my kid knows are going to the LLIV program.

My other kids who stayed at the base school know tons of neighborhood kids. Going to middle school should be as easy as middle school can be.

I would look long term vs just short term.

Fourth grade is a very easy grade to transition into the center school in my opinion. Fourth graders, especially boys, are generally still nice to each other.

Which LLIV and which center? The class sizes typically fluctuate depending on who enrolls. It's different each year. Often when a center is overcrowded, they mean there is no art room or many trailers on site. It's not typically related to class size.

OP - I should clarify - he is a rising 4th grader & we are totally new here - moved from MD.

Anonymous wrote:Advantages? Disadvantages? We are new to the county & our older son was just determined to be eligible for level IV services. I understand the curriculum is supposed to be the same. What about the delivery of curriculum? I understand the center schools are crowded - does that mean the level IV classrooms are larger in numbers? I feel a little under the gun to make this decision without knowing a thing about the district, but that's what happens when you move...

It depends.

It depends on the Center and it depends on the LLIV program.
It depends on your child.
It depends on your child's friends.
It depends on the cohort at the Center and the co-hort at the home school.

If your DC loves his current school, his friends are staying and it is a well developed program. Go LLIV.
If your DC has had trouble finding friends at his current school, try the Center.
If your DC loves new new new- go to the Center
If your DC HATES change, stay in the LLIV program.
If there is a hostile environment at the current school go to the Center..............

Only you know your child and his current co-hort, your current school's program and the program of the Center school (visit both schools and ask questions). There is too much variability in the programs and in 3rd graders to say one way or the other.

You can always come back and you can always decide to go to the Center school next year. It isn't a decision cut into stone.

I'd keep him local so he can get to know kids who would live in your neighborhood.

Advantages? Disadvantages? We are new to the county & our older son was just determined to be eligible for level IV services. I understand the curriculum is supposed to be the same. What about the delivery of curriculum? I understand the center schools are crowded - does that mean the level IV classrooms are larger in numbers? I feel a little under the gun to make this decision without knowing a thing about the district, but that's what happens when you move...