Anonymous wrote:OP, I would say something. You want to be the one who forms the narrative of what the differences between AAP and Gen Ed classes are. I did with my oldest and didn't hear discussions about Gen Ed versus AAP while he was in elementary. I didn't with my second one and I started hearing about the "base" kids not being as smart and that's why they weren't in AAP. Kids talk to each other and it's important that you make it clear that many kids who aren't in AAP end up at the top of their class in high school and that many outperform former AAP students. I explained that some kids don't test well and others blossom academically a little later, so being in AAP just mean right now that's a good fit for her and not a reflection on overall intelligence of students who aren't in AAP. I also told her to not say "base kids" and "AAP kids." They are all just "X school kids" in different classes like in K-2.
+100. Kids will know and will talk about it. Even if you try to shelter your child, by the first week of 3rd grade, that child will know that he or she is in AAP and will also have some idea that not AAP = not smart. It's much better for you as a parent to frame the entire discussion.