Anonymous
09/25/2025 12:09
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Not that straightforward because certain courses require certain requirements. For example, a random teacher can’t just teach algebra and geometry (which is why algebra in 6th grade is crazy). You need a math endorsement from VDOE. Some local schools may not have the staff with those requirements.
I believe every MS has math teachers for Algebra 1 and most have a teacher for Geometry but those classes are not AAP classes.
But there are schools that do not have enough AAP students to offer AAP classes so the AAP kids are in honors classes. Center schools can offer AAP classes because they have more students and can offer multiple AAP classes in LA, Social Studies, and Science to meet the scheduling needs of the AAP kids at the school.
Some people will tell you that the honors courses are teaching the same material as the AAP courses, some people will tell you that the AAP courses go a bit more in depth. At a Center school, AAP kids will only be in classes with other AAP kids. Parents send their kids to the Center because they think the peer group is stronger and they don't like the open enrollment in Honors classes.
Every MS should hve enough kids who were selected for AAP that they have enough kids to fill out multiple sections of the 3 core AAP classes. There really isn't a need for MS Centers.
Plus, once you get to HS, it truly is Honors for all! Or at least, honors for all who want it...
A large percentage of the kids in AAP will take AP classes as soon as they can, although not all. A large percentage of the MS kids in hoors will take AP classes as soon as they can. HS is a different system.
My kid is at Carson, he is in AAP classes. All of his core classes are with kids in AAP. A few friends have made some snide comments about not mixing with the commoners but, for the most part, it is not a big deal. There are enough AAP kids at the school that there are AAP classes in all of the teams, most of them have at least 2 classes for each of the core subjects. I am fine with the AAP students returning to Franklin, there would be fewer AAP classes but still plenty to have a strong program.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 12:08
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Not that straightforward because certain courses require certain requirements. For example, a random teacher can’t just teach algebra and geometry (which is why algebra in 6th grade is crazy). You need a math endorsement from VDOE. Some local schools may not have the staff with those requirements.
I believe every MS has math teachers for Algebra 1 and most have a teacher for Geometry but those classes are not AAP classes.
But there are schools that do not have enough AAP students to offer AAP classes so the AAP kids are in honors classes. Center schools can offer AAP classes because they have more students and can offer multiple AAP classes in LA, Social Studies, and Science to meet the scheduling needs of the AAP kids at the school.
Some people will tell you that the honors courses are teaching the same material as the AAP courses, some people will tell you that the AAP courses go a bit more in depth. At a Center school, AAP kids will only be in classes with other AAP kids. Parents send their kids to the Center because they think the peer group is stronger and they don't like the open enrollment in Honors classes.
Every MS should hve enough kids who were selected for AAP that they have enough kids to fill out multiple sections of the 3 core AAP classes. There really isn't a need for MS Centers.
Why are people so bothered by MS center schools? What’s it to you if AAP kids choose to go to a center school over the local? It has no effect on your kid.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 11:59
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Not that straightforward because certain courses require certain requirements. For example, a random teacher can’t just teach algebra and geometry (which is why algebra in 6th grade is crazy). You need a math endorsement from VDOE. Some local schools may not have the staff with those requirements.
I believe every MS has math teachers for Algebra 1 and most have a teacher for Geometry but those classes are not AAP classes.
But there are schools that do not have enough AAP students to offer AAP classes so the AAP kids are in honors classes. Center schools can offer AAP classes because they have more students and can offer multiple AAP classes in LA, Social Studies, and Science to meet the scheduling needs of the AAP kids at the school.
Some people will tell you that the honors courses are teaching the same material as the AAP courses, some people will tell you that the AAP courses go a bit more in depth. At a Center school, AAP kids will only be in classes with other AAP kids. Parents send their kids to the Center because they think the peer group is stronger and they don't like the open enrollment in Honors classes.
Every MS should hve enough kids who were selected for AAP that they have enough kids to fill out multiple sections of the 3 core AAP classes. There really isn't a need for MS Centers.
Plus, once you get to HS, it truly is Honors for all! Or at least, honors for all who want it...
Anonymous
09/25/2025 11:55
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Not that straightforward because certain courses require certain requirements. For example, a random teacher can’t just teach algebra and geometry (which is why algebra in 6th grade is crazy). You need a math endorsement from VDOE. Some local schools may not have the staff with those requirements.
I believe every MS has math teachers for Algebra 1 and most have a teacher for Geometry but those classes are not AAP classes.
But there are schools that do not have enough AAP students to offer AAP classes so the AAP kids are in honors classes. Center schools can offer AAP classes because they have more students and can offer multiple AAP classes in LA, Social Studies, and Science to meet the scheduling needs of the AAP kids at the school.
Some people will tell you that the honors courses are teaching the same material as the AAP courses, some people will tell you that the AAP courses go a bit more in depth. At a Center school, AAP kids will only be in classes with other AAP kids. Parents send their kids to the Center because they think the peer group is stronger and they don't like the open enrollment in Honors classes.
Every MS should hve enough kids who were selected for AAP that they have enough kids to fill out multiple sections of the 3 core AAP classes. There really isn't a need for MS Centers.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 10:05
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Good.
However, another reason to delay the boundary rezoing process.
This is going to throw a huge wrench in their plans for Thoreau if they send all the AAP kids from Jackson back. Carson and Franklin at least have the potential KAA adjustment delay to tweak.
Then it’s a good thing boundaries get reviewed every 5 years.
Even without KAA, Franklin could easily justify AAP. Look at how many go to Carson from Franklin.
Franklin doesnt need to justify AAP, for they have had an established AAP program for 10-15 years. Families have just had the choice between Franklin and Carson. Its time to end that choice.
The same thing happens with Irving and Lake Braddock.
At Irving, wouldn't this send more kids to WSHS? Because right now, kids in the pyramid who don't have Level 4 services at their school go to Sangster and then at middle school level, choose to stay at LBSS so they don't lose their friends. Feels like this would increase the number of kids at Irving and WSHS.
Aren't there some kids who are sent to Frost for AAP who are zoned for LBSS also?
Anonymous
09/25/2025 10:01
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Good.
However, another reason to delay the boundary rezoing process.
This is going to throw a huge wrench in their plans for Thoreau if they send all the AAP kids from Jackson back. Carson and Franklin at least have the potential KAA adjustment delay to tweak.
Then it’s a good thing boundaries get reviewed every 5 years.
Even without KAA, Franklin could easily justify AAP. Look at how many go to Carson from Franklin.
Franklin doesnt need to justify AAP, for they have had an established AAP program for 10-15 years. Families have just had the choice between Franklin and Carson. Its time to end that choice.
The same thing happens with Irving and Lake Braddock.
At Irving, wouldn't this send more kids to WSHS? Because right now, kids in the pyramid who don't have Level 4 services at their school go to Sangster and then at middle school level, choose to stay at LBSS so they don't lose their friends. Feels like this would increase the number of kids at Irving and WSHS.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 09:55
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Not that straightforward because certain courses require certain requirements. For example, a random teacher can’t just teach algebra and geometry (which is why algebra in 6th grade is crazy). You need a math endorsement from VDOE. Some local schools may not have the staff with those requirements.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 09:47
Subject: Re:AAP Center Expansion?
Seems to me that if every middle school can send kids to TJ, then every middle school should be able to offer AAP.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 09:32
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between a middle school that is a "center" and one that somehow isn't a center yet still offers AAP?
Sorry, my local middle school offers zero AAP, so our choice was a center or no AAP, so I am unclear of the difference
Labeling.
The programs are exactly the same.
Incorrect. If a local MS doesn’t have a large enough cluster of kids requiring AAP, then they do not have to offer the class. A center school has to offer the AAP class.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 09:15
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between a middle school that is a "center" and one that somehow isn't a center yet still offers AAP?
Sorry, my local middle school offers zero AAP, so our choice was a center or no AAP, so I am unclear of the difference
Labeling.
The programs are exactly the same.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 09:14
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Good.
However, another reason to delay the boundary rezoing process.
This is going to throw a huge wrench in their plans for Thoreau if they send all the AAP kids from Jackson back. Carson and Franklin at least have the potential KAA adjustment delay to tweak.
Then it’s a good thing boundaries get reviewed every 5 years.
Even without KAA, Franklin could easily justify AAP. Look at how many go to Carson from Franklin.
Franklin doesnt need to justify AAP, for they have had an established AAP program for 10-15 years. Families have just had the choice between Franklin and Carson. Its time to end that choice.
The same thing happens with Irving and Lake Braddock.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 08:30
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Good.
However, another reason to delay the boundary rezoing process.
This is going to throw a huge wrench in their plans for Thoreau if they send all the AAP kids from Jackson back. Carson and Franklin at least have the potential KAA adjustment delay to tweak.
I wouldn’t envision that. A LOT of kids who go to center for elementary AAP go to Thoreau for middle school. Mostly because the only kids zoned for Madison who go to Jackson are AAP - so going to Thoreau keeps them in the same pyramid.
Last year, 96 kids from Thoreau transferred to Jackson and 39 to Kilmer (the AAP center for a small portion of Thoreau.) Thoreau currently has 1248 students with a 1379 program capacity. The plan was to move 191 students from Kilmer to Thoreau, putting it at 104% capacity. If they sent the AAP kids back it would be well over 110% capacity.
I support AAP in all MS, but they need to pump the brakes on the boundary adjustments to accommodate the change in programming or else they’re going to immediately be moving a bunch of kids BACK to their originally assigned school.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 08:20
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between a middle school that is a "center" and one that somehow isn't a center yet still offers AAP?
Sorry, my local middle school offers zero AAP, so our choice was a center or no AAP, so I am unclear of the difference
Centers offer AAP classes. Non-Centers may offer AAP classes but don’t have to. Many non-centers end up with a smaller number of AAP students and so don’t offer AAP classes.
There is no guarantee that the non center school will offer AAP classes, that’s why people generally pick the center school to guarantee level IV services. Some non center schools may accommodate an advanced math class for instance via virtual which isn’t ideal.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:34
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:Honors for all!
Longfellow went to honors for all years ago.
Anonymous
09/25/2025 07:32
Subject: AAP Center Expansion?
Anonymous wrote:I wonder if they will grandfather the kids in who went to a center for 7th but should be in their new base program for 8th.
I'm skeptical this will happen as it would necessitate staffing increases and the AART specialists were cut this year entirely or to half-time.
AART specialists don’t work with AAP. They help bring AAP strategies to gen ed classes.