Anonymous wrote:11:03. I agree. Parents get 5 years to get their kids into an AAP track and there is no limit of kids accepted. I'm glad for kids who are doing well regardless, but hate the way other parents feel like their child is excluded from something and therefore has to hate on other families. Maybe their child is a late bloomer or finally gets their act together by high school to be on a higher track. That stuff happens all the time throughout life.

It's very weird to be pro tracking of academic classes in high school however not approve of them in elementary or middle just because your kid didn't qualify then.

What do you mean? It seems like all classes are available to students if they take and do well in the prerequisites.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DCs are not in AAP. In FCPS high schools, there is no separate AAP track, right? My DCs can take ( if counselor approved) the same classes as AAP students?

We are in Woodson pyramid. Is there a residual bias/preference for AAP students in high school? Do they still get preference in some way? I'm not jealous, just wanted to know if there are still opportunities only for the AAP students.

High School is where you see it all even out and effort really counts. No more labels and/or parent intervention. It is truly up to the child to make it or break it.

+1. I'm seeing kids who were labeled "gen ed" in grade school rising to the occasion, acing all of their AP courses, and doing better than the kids who were considered AAP in grade school. There seems to be a component of wanting to prove something to themselves, and others, after years spent being treated like they weren't as smart or talented as the AAP crowd. They have a very strong sense of personal motivation, and they are in it to win it.

Anonymous wrote:And OP many of the students are outperforming the kids who were in AAP. And it's sweet justice.

? That belies a vindictive attitude on your part.

What it really is about is kids finding their own way at a later time. Some kids are ready for more challenge in 2nd grade or 3rd grade. Some need more time to develop and find that they have a lot of motivation and ability in 7th grade or 10th grade. I have one who had the ability and drive from the get-go (preschool or before). I have another who I am still waiting to find her drive in 8th grade. I see other kids who weren't in AAP who are having an academic growth spurt in MS and they are taking the reins and zipping ahead.

Kids don't all grow physically at the same rate. We shouldn't expect that they will all be intellectually growing at the same rate. But, schools should meet those who are ready for challenge with opportunities (be that 2nd grade, 7th grade or 12 grade).

11:03. I agree. Parents get 5 years to get their kids into an AAP track and there is no limit of kids accepted. I'm glad for kids who are doing well regardless, but hate the way other parents feel like their child is excluded from something and therefore has to hate on other families. Maybe their child is a late bloomer or finally gets their act together by high school to be on a higher track. That stuff happens all the time throughout life.

It's very weird to be pro tracking of academic classes in high school however not approve of them in elementary or middle just because your kid didn't qualify then.

Anonymous wrote:I believe our middle school which is an AAP center puts all the kids together in honors classes. There is no separate AAP honors class.

Which school? This is not typically how it works with AAP centers or level 4. They are typically in AAP-only classes for english, history and science. They may be mixed with other kids for math (alg. or Math 7 hon) and they are always mixed with the non-AAP kids for PE and electives.

I think you are mistaken.

Anonymous wrote:Correct. And no, no bias or preference. Teachers help students choose the appropriate level courses for the following year based on student's performance and teacher's observations, but parents/students really have the final say.

I have kids in AAP and it delights me to hear of non-AAP kids getting into schools like W&M and UVA.

Out of curiosity why does it delight you to see "regular track" kids ultimately do just as well as the advanced academic kids?

If your kid has been taking the harder courses up until HS it would be natural to want to see that effort pay off - qualifying for/taking/doing well in the tougher classes in HS and getting into the top college as a result of that effort.

And OP many of the students are outperforming the kids who were in AAP. And it's sweet justice.

Anonymous wrote:My DCs are not in AAP. In FCPS high schools, there is no separate AAP track, right? My DCs can take ( if counselor approved) the same classes as AAP students?

We are in Woodson pyramid. Is there a residual bias/preference for AAP students in high school? Do they still get preference in some way? I'm not jealous, just wanted to know if there are still opportunities only for the AAP students.

High School is where you see it all even out and effort really counts. No more labels and/or parent intervention. It is truly up to the child to make it or break it.

I believe our middle school which is an AAP center puts all the kids together in honors classes. There is no separate AAP honors class.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there are any in middle school either.

There is AAP in middle schools. There are centers and there are local level 4 programs. There are also "honors" classes == which anyone can take.

Taking honors in 7th, 8th and 9th grades will put your child on a track to take AP classes in 10th, 11th and 12th grades. Ultimately, the child's own drive, interests and effort will dictate his/her future success.

I don't think there are any in middle school either.

Thank you for all of your helpful replies.

Correct. And no, no bias or preference. Teachers help students choose the appropriate level courses for the following year based on student's performance and teacher's observations, but parents/students really have the final say.

I have kids in AAP and it delights me to hear of non-AAP kids getting into schools like W&M and UVA.

Anonymous wrote:My DCs are not in AAP. In FCPS high schools, there is no separate AAP track, right? My DCs can take ( if counselor approved) the same classes as AAP students?

We are in Woodson pyramid. Is there a residual bias/preference for AAP students in high school? Do they still get preference in some way? I'm not jealous, just wanted to know if there are still opportunities only for the AAP students.

No AAP in high school. Your kid has access to the same courses as former AAP students.

https://insys.fcps.edu/CourseCatOnline/#/frontPanel/534/nocourselist/1/0/0

My DCs are not in AAP. In FCPS high schools, there is no separate AAP track, right? My DCs can take ( if counselor approved) the same classes as AAP students?

We are in Woodson pyramid. Is there a residual bias/preference for AAP students in high school? Do they still get preference in some way? I'm not jealous, just wanted to know if there are still opportunities only for the AAP students.