Anonymous wrote:What's strange is that both posters are reporting the same facts, but have dramatically differing views on the school. We are on the fence about sending our kid to WO, so any more information about the school would really be appreciated.

I don’t really see dramatically different views from these two posts. They both said the teacher didn’t follow the AAP curriculum and wasn’t effective.

Anonymous wrote:What's strange is that both posters are reporting the same facts, but have dramatically differing views on the school. We are on the fence about sending our kid to WO, so any more information about the school would really be appreciated.

I'm the PP who is reasonably happy with WO, but it doesn't surprise me that people have differing views--kids have different needs, parents have different perspectives, expectations, values and experiences. I would highly recommend asking White Oaks if they have any parents from your base school who would be willing to talk to you about their experiences. Probably best to talk to someone a few years in rather than just a current 3rd grade who has a little more perspective. A back and forth can help you see how closely the parents' values and concerns align with yours. Because you are currently at the base school, you are more likely to have already heard perspectives of parents who didn't opt for the program or who decided to leave, but if you haven't sought those perspectives out--I would do so--maybe talk to the AART teacher for recommendations if you don't know anyone.

Good luck with your decision--I think something to remember is that the options are all pretty good and nothing is irreversible. If you go to the center and don't find it a good fit, you can return to the base school. If you stay at the base school and decide to attend the following year, you can make the switch. Yes, it might be more ideal not to have that disruption, but most kids are adaptable.

What's strange is that both posters are reporting the same facts, but have dramatically differing views on the school. We are on the fence about sending our kid to WO, so any more information about the school would really be appreciated.

There was a problem with the 3rd grade AAP in the 2017-2018 year. The school was under massive renovation. There was a team of 3rd teachers who were new to the school and new to AAP and a third teacher was needed last minute due to unanticipated size of AAP enrollment. That last-minute hire was a nice, older, formerly retired teacher but clueless about AAP, a tough grader but not a strong teacher and many students left her class to go back to base. Midway through the year, the class was dissolved and students were sent to two different classes. Those classes got lots of extra support and it worked out mainly fine. The principal ended up handling it okay, but there was quite a bit of tension. Things are back on track and the rest of the years seem to be functioning fine.

About this teacher. Well, she was brand new to AAP (though taught for a long time and possibly had retired, IIRC). She just didn't follow the program. At all. The other two AAP teachers were experienced and actually taught, but our kid was behind because the first half of the year really was wasted. Oh, there was classroom management issues and plenty of other professionalism complaints.

The school moved her to some sort of resource teacher position and our kid (along with the rest of the class) was thrown into a huge class.

What's worst is that the principal was dismissive, defensive and basically took the position that "hey these are smart kids, they'll be fine" instead of actually running a decent AAP program. Compared to the admin at our old school, it's like night and day.

No one cares, of course, because an AAP center in an upper middle class area is going to look fine from the data. But was not for us.

Anonymous wrote:We are an AAP family that will be returning our kid back to Laurel Ridge from White Oaks. To say we unhappy with the experience would be a massive understatement.

Some fun things we went through. Apparently, a third grade teacher was so awful that many parents pulled their kids before Christmas. They ended up dissolving the class and combining the kids into two huge sections. The principal would say things like "third grade is a wash" and was extremely dismissive of parents concerns. There is a massive amount of homework/busy work. We compared notes with friends at Laurel Ridge and there was a big different in the amount but not substance. Yes, there was some acceleration, but I did not see the whole creative/critical thinking emphasis that Level IV was sold on.

I finally did a data dive and realized the kids at White Oaks are performing basically the same as the kids as at our home school. There's advanced math at our home school, too. After two years, we decided that White Oaks is just not worth it because the AAP program is not run well. And the principal really does not care.

Can I ask what the third grade teacher did that was so awful?

We are an AAP family that will be returning our kid back to Laurel Ridge from White Oaks. To say we unhappy with the experience would be a massive understatement.

Some fun things we went through. Apparently, a third grade teacher was so awful that many parents pulled their kids before Christmas. They ended up dissolving the class and combining the kids into two huge sections. The principal would say things like "third grade is a wash" and was extremely dismissive of parents concerns. There is a massive amount of homework/busy work. We compared notes with friends at Laurel Ridge and there was a big different in the amount but not substance. Yes, there was some acceleration, but I did not see the whole creative/critical thinking emphasis that Level IV was sold on.

I finally did a data dive and realized the kids at White Oaks are performing basically the same as the kids as at our home school. There's advanced math at our home school, too. After two years, we decided that White Oaks is just not worth it because the AAP program is not run well. And the principal really does not care.

With my DD, we decided to stay at our local level IV and I am very happy. One poster mentioned middle school choice which is so important. Level IV in middle school here is at Lake Braddock. If your DC decides to stay there for high school, you have to be responsible for the transportation for the next four years. I am currently doing that with my DS. Honestly, I wish he had decided to attend Robinson.

That’s a hard choice because Laurel Ridge is such a nice school with a great reputation. Another thing to consider is if you think you will continue the AAP program in middle school. I am not sure if this is entirely correct but I believe Lake Braddock has an AAP program for level IV 7th & 8th. But if your neighborhood is zoned for Robinson, your student has to go to Robinson for 9-12. However, I think most level IV kids at Robinson feeder elementary schools decide to just go to Robinson starting in 7th. They can take honors classes and then there aren’t so many transitions.

Is your DC easily adopt to a new environment? Does he has friends in LR also accept go to WO? Go to the open house and see how’s you guys like it.

Op,
DC had been there a few years. I think this year has been much better. Some may be that events can happen on site again as construction is done and also that the Admin is not as stretched with supervising the construction.
If you do not have LLIV as an option, I would give it a shot.

Anonymous wrote:What is your base school? As I know, Fairview and Bonnie Bre have LLIV and most of them prefer to stay in their base school. Terra Center is going to have LLIV soon (may be not coming year yet?). They only has 1 AAP 3rd grade this year as compare to they used to be having 3-4 AAP in each grade! their AAP really down sizing due to the feeder already have their own LLIV.

Our base school is Laurel Ridge, so White Oaks is our only opportunity for Level IV AAP.

What is your base school? As I know, Fairview and Bonnie Bre have LLIV and most of them prefer to stay in their base school. Terra Center is going to have LLIV soon (may be not coming year yet?). They only has 1 AAP 3rd grade this year as compare to they used to be having 3-4 AAP in each grade! their AAP really down sizing due to the feeder already have their own LLIV.

I know from a friend that it’s just not as nice, community oriented as some of the other schools. The teachers are more into behavior charts and consequences rather than positivity prjrct, etc. If you have local level IV and are happy with the community at your current elementary school, I would definitely recommend staying there.

Can anyone who has a current 3rd grader in AAP at White Oaks comment on the program this year? Have heard questionable/great/terrible things about years past. Have a 2nd grader who was admitted to AAP transfer to White Oaks for next year. Thank you!