Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 21:47     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
That’s not quite true. I have experience with it two elems, and both mix kids from all classes for specials starting in 4th due to instrument choice. And starting in middle school, half of your classes are not core (2 electives, pe, advisory), so it’s much more mixed than elementary school.

I will add that I have a 9th grader, and I don’t think she remembers nor cares who was in her elementary AAP class and who wasn’t.

Anonymous wrote:Kids are friends since Kindergarten but starting in 3rd Grade, 3rd until 9th, they will never again be in the same classroom. One is "seen" as smarter than another. It's horrible. Horrible for relationships. The labeling is particularly horrible, within a family, between siblings.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 19:42     Subject: Re:What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for a mediocre ES and even more mediocre MS. There was no advanced math until 5th grade at the base school. Our oldest child went to the AAP center school for ES and MS. Our younger two did not. The difference in pacing and material covered was significant at both the ES and MS levels. This is definitely school dependent but if you're zoned for a school where a lot of kids are well below grade level there's a big difference. Anyone who argues otherwise doesn't have firsthand experience.
They are still gonna have to go to a HS with those same mediocre people. Again, you are delaying their misery! What a shame, having them get ahead of peers, just to be on the same level on them in HS.


Not if they get into TJ or you go private

Regardless, every single FCPS HS does a lot more tracking of students than elementary and middle school. No one is taking Honors Algebra II as a freshman if they haven't done really well in previous classes.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 19:28     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.


If you think there aren’t any kids throwing chairs in an AAP class, I have some swampland to sell you in Arizona at a great price.


At our school, there is a huge behavioral difference between the AAP and Gened classes.

All the bad boys are in the same class. They absolutely are the chair throwers.

You’re pretty gross. Labeling children as “bad boys” and “chair throwers?” Require more of yourself and have some decency.

Parents of kids with poor behavior and violent tendencies are gross.


The parents in the special needs forum would love to have a word with you.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 19:17     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.


How would you even know this?


Simple. Last year there were 2 gen ed classes and 2 aap classes in my child's grade. 12.xx% of the grade failed the SOL per recently released statistics. Made the assumption few to none of aap failed. 12% of 50% is 24%, or 1/4.


LOL, this is a poor assumption to make. You would be surprised at how many children in AAP are getting outside tutoring in math because they fail or are close to failing their SOLs once they start doing a grade up. Almost all of them in our school (yes, moms talk).
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 19:03     Subject: Re:What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:We are zoned for a mediocre ES and even more mediocre MS. There was no advanced math until 5th grade at the base school. Our oldest child went to the AAP center school for ES and MS. Our younger two did not. The difference in pacing and material covered was significant at both the ES and MS levels. This is definitely school dependent but if you're zoned for a school where a lot of kids are well below grade level there's a big difference. Anyone who argues otherwise doesn't have firsthand experience.
They are still gonna have to go to a HS with those same mediocre people. Again, you are delaying their misery! What a shame, having them get ahead of peers, just to be on the same level on them in HS.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 18:58     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:My child was incredibly bored in school - now they're only half bored. That's a boon. It's also been a huge improvement socially to be with more kids with similar interests. I'm not worried about accolades or a college path, I just want a happier kid at school.


Struggling to follow what this is all about. In high school, your child won't be able to choose their classes much anymore. At some point, they will be forced to be with kids who might not have the same interests as them. Unless your child gets into TJ, and your child is incredibly fond of the STEM path and not because of the school name, you are just simply delaying their misery.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 18:53     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
It does split kids up, you are absolutely right
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 17:34     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:Kids are friends since Kindergarten but starting in 3rd Grade, 3rd until 9th, they will never again be in the same classroom. One is "seen" as smarter than another. It's horrible. Horrible for relationships. The labeling is particularly horrible, within a family, between siblings.


Yes, this is especially bad for kids whose base school is a center school.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 15:59     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Kids are friends since Kindergarten but starting in 3rd Grade, 3rd until 9th, they will never again be in the same classroom. One is "seen" as smarter than another. It's horrible. Horrible for relationships. The labeling is particularly horrible, within a family, between siblings.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 15:54     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.


If you think there aren’t any kids throwing chairs in an AAP class, I have some swampland to sell you in Arizona at a great price.


At our school, there is a huge behavioral difference between the AAP and Gened classes.

All the bad boys are in the same class. They absolutely are the chair throwers.

You’re pretty gross. Labeling children as “bad boys” and “chair throwers?” Require more of yourself and have some decency.

Parents of kids with poor behavior and violent tendencies are gross.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 15:39     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.


If you think there aren’t any kids throwing chairs in an AAP class, I have some swampland to sell you in Arizona at a great price.


At our school, there is a huge behavioral difference between the AAP and Gened classes.

All the bad boys are in the same class. They absolutely are the chair throwers.

You’re pretty gross. Labeling children as “bad boys” and “chair throwers?” Require more of yourself and have some decency.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 15:13     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.


If you think there aren’t any kids throwing chairs in an AAP class, I have some swampland to sell you in Arizona at a great price.


At our school, there is a huge behavioral difference between the AAP and Gened classes.

All the bad boys are in the same class. They absolutely are the chair throwers.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 13:46     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. We are at a fairly well regarded center elementary school. Even then, I estimate about 1/4 of gen ed cant read or do math (by that I mean failed the SOL and you have to miss a lot to fail...). My kid would be completely ignored in those classrooms. There's no honors in elementary. I agree there is less need for the program in middle school due since honors classes are available then.


How would you even know this?


Simple. Last year there were 2 gen ed classes and 2 aap classes in my child's grade. 12.xx% of the grade failed the SOL per recently released statistics. Made the assumption few to none of aap failed. 12% of 50% is 24%, or 1/4.


Oh, there are absolutely kids in aap who don't pass their sols


Sure, but it's like a few kids, not a significant percentage.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 13:33     Subject: Re:What’s the big fuss about AAP?
We are zoned for a mediocre ES and even more mediocre MS. There was no advanced math until 5th grade at the base school. Our oldest child went to the AAP center school for ES and MS. Our younger two did not. The difference in pacing and material covered was significant at both the ES and MS levels. This is definitely school dependent but if you're zoned for a school where a lot of kids are well below grade level there's a big difference. Anyone who argues otherwise doesn't have firsthand experience.
Anonymous
Post 08/30/2025 11:56     Subject: What’s the big fuss about AAP?
Anonymous wrote:Its about making sure your child isnt in class with chair throwers.


If you think there aren’t any kids throwing chairs in an AAP class, I have some swampland to sell you in Arizona at a great price.