Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But, any kid could take Honors classes at MS.

+1

If a kid takes four Honors classes in MS, they are considered Level IV. Yes, even at a non-Center MS.

Not completely correct. Most schools try not to mix the level IV labeled kids with the other honors kids. If you are at a center school the level IV kids have their honors classes together and the other kids have their honors classes together as much as scheduling permits. At non-center schools they will also group the IV kids together, but again, if there are only 10 kids, there will be other kids in the class. But, it doesn't matter because it's not like the middle school honors classes has a different GPA weight or goes on their college transcript.

For counting purposes (as in the number of students that are considered Level IV), the students taking four honors courses are counted as Level IV, no matter if they are in a class with the Center kids or not.

So, if you go to the School Profile page for a non-Center school (for example, Cooper Middle School), you will see the number of students taking four honors courses next to the label "Advanced Academics - Level IV" and the number of students taking one or more honors courses next to the label "Middle Advanced Academics - Levels I,II,III".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But, any kid could take Honors classes at MS.

+1

If a kid takes four Honors classes in MS, they are considered Level IV. Yes, even at a non-Center MS.

Not completely correct. Most schools try not to mix the level IV labeled kids with the other honors kids. If you are at a center school the level IV kids have their honors classes together and the other kids have their honors classes together as much as scheduling permits. At non-center schools they will also group the IV kids together, but again, if there are only 10 kids, there will be other kids in the class. But, it doesn't matter because it's not like the middle school honors classes has a different GPA weight or goes on their college transcript.

Anonymous wrote:But, any kid could take Honors classes at MS.

+1

If a kid takes four Honors classes in MS, they are considered Level IV. Yes, even at a non-Center MS.

It is my understanding that the county wants to move away from having AAP center schools for Middle School. It kinda sucks for the kids to go to Lake Braddock for 2 years and then transfer to West Springfield at 9th grade. (for example)

My DC is in Irving right now and I would agree, it's not building community. The same group of 25ish level IV kids are together for 4 core classes. But, for my introvert, it's kinda been nice that it's a mini school. But, there were only 3 kids from our elementary school that were in this "faction" of level IV kids.

But, any kid could take Honors classes at MS. The math class, honors algebra is mixed based on who qualified (not all level IV kids qualify for Honors Algebra at 7th grade)

Anonymous wrote:I had never heard of this, but it was on the FCAG board. I was under the impression that kids could choose to take honors classes in non AAP center middle schools, and in the mix would be local students and formerly center students.

I have no pressing worry about this (yet) but it sounds like a hard way to build a community. The ms center schools are mostly half and half in terms of aap vs general education, which surprisingly works well since they bunch them all together in so many classes, but to have some sort of full time pull-out program for twenty or so kids sounds divisive.

Is this accurate or was the board just embellishing?

Some of the non-center middle schools started doing it this year- it is part of the process to make them "Center" Schools next year or the year after- to alleviate overcrowding at the current Center schools. Right now it is voluntary and the student has the option of attending the traditional center Middle School.

Some non-center middle schools are now clustering students eligible to receive Level IV services. The classes are considered honors, but there are additional extensions in place. These schools are still offering honors classes for students who are not AAP-eligible, as well as general and special education classes that already existed in the building. Individual teachers often teach many, if not all, of these levels.

As far as community goes, it depends on the culture of the school and how the program is handled. It is often assumed that AAP students will "get" more from their education or that schools will give them more attention, which is not necessarily the case. It depends on the school's leadership and the culture that has been created based on the school mission and values.

If you want to learn more, would definitely suggest looking at the specific school and directing your questions there.

I had never heard of this, but it was on the FCAG board. I was under the impression that kids could choose to take honors classes in non AAP center middle schools, and in the mix would be local students and formerly center students.

I have no pressing worry about this (yet) but it sounds like a hard way to build a community. The ms center schools are mostly half and half in terms of aap vs general education, which surprisingly works well since they bunch them all together in so many classes, but to have some sort of full time pull-out program for twenty or so kids sounds divisive.

Is this accurate or was the board just embellishing?