Shrevewood is our base school, and if our son is admitted to AAP we will be sending him to the Lemon Road center. Years (okay, decades) ago, Lemon Road was my base school and I went to the center at Haycock. Haycock's center at the time was only modestly larger than Lemon Road's is today. It was one of the most valuable experiences of my life (yes, an ES experience stands at the top of my most valuable life experiences, it was that good), and a major part of its value was having a larger mass of AAP students in a school-within-a-school. I don't think that Shrevewood's 12 or so LLIV students per grade provides enough of an opportunity to interact with other students and a variety of teachers. LLIV makes sense for schools that have enough level 4 students to create what amounts to a local center (e.g., Chesterbrook). But I'm a strong proponent of supporting the centers. I don't like how smaller LLIV programs at Shrevewood and Westgate are peeling off students from the center at Lemon Road. I strongly encourage parents with children that are eligible for the center to send their kids there.

Candidly, I think one of the reasons that individual school administrations want LLIV programs is to keep the test scores up. FCPS's center-based AAP system boosts the SOL scores of the schools with centers at the expense of schools that don't have centers. A school without a center or LLIV program loses between 15-20% of its best students to a center starting in third grade--which is when SOLs start. This obviously dampens test scores at the non-center school. And it artificially inflates scores at the school with the center. For example, Lemon Road was a "7" on GreatSchools before the center opened. In the first year with a center, it shot up to "10." The principal at Lemon Road no doubt noted this, which might be why he has suddenly been promoting the center (even though rumor had it that he was skeptical about the center at first).

I don't say this to criticize the school administrators. They are under massive pressure to keep test scores up. In a perfect world, they would be rewarded for how much they help students who can't pass the tests. But they aren't. They're evaluated based on raw numbers. So naturally there's competition for the best students.

Anonymous wrote:I have to say I find it particularly amusing that you are taking such shots at my questions on how the teachers teach at a school and yet all these Haycock parents spent months complaining how they couldn't leave Haycock for Lemon Road because AAP at Lemon Road might not be quite as good as AAP at Haycock. They even moved houses to stay in boundary. Where were you to tell all those parents to just sit back and let things come what may? Why are you even answering? It's obvious you aren't a Lemon Road parent.

DP here. Some people don't like AAP or AAP parents, and there were dozens of comments back at the time that the people getting moved from Haycock to Lemon Road should just chill. I know I'm not answering your specific questions about Lemon Road, but it really would be nicer if you'd leave Haycock out of this unless you have a specific question about Haycock.

I have to say I find it particularly amusing that you are taking such shots at my questions on how the teachers teach at a school and yet all these Haycock parents spent months complaining how they couldn't leave Haycock for Lemon Road because AAP at Lemon Road might not be quite as good as AAP at Haycock. They even moved houses to stay in boundary. Where were you to tell all those parents to just sit back and let things come what may? Why are you even answering? It's obvious you aren't a Lemon Road parent.

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Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

Most of the kids in the class can't handle the work on their own. I've witnessed it myself. Giving children just a topic with no guidance on what to research or help during a project is just not productive for 3rd graders. Reading books without doing anything active while they are being read and then expecting them to write something creative about them afterwards is not productive. As an example, my child was asked to research a country and produce a paper or poster on the country without any other information. No worksheets to fill out to help guide the children. Huge 100-300 page books given to them to research. Our school actually gives this type of thing to all their kids, AAP and non-AAP. I'm not sure what it is - flipped classroom? Whatever it is, we don't like it and are looking to move. Lemon Road works with our commutes.

My child would have no issue with any of these assignments. They are supposed to be creative and child-driven.

At third grade, I want my child to be able to be creative within some parameters. Not attend a Sudbury school without resources.

So you're a teacher then? Sounds like homeschooling might just be the ticket for your kids. You do realize that they go to a public school, don't you? That the teachers don't design lesson plans so that they meet with your approval.

The interesting thing I've found during my kids time in FCPS is that the kids of parents who worry about these types of things tend not to be very good students. Could there be a correlation between parents who worry about every jot and tittle of their kids learning experience and kids that are nothing special academically?

Do you have anything to say about Lemon Road or do you just want to continue to take jabs at me? You've added nothing of interest to what this school is like either at the GE level or the AAP level.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

Most of the kids in the class can't handle the work on their own. I've witnessed it myself. Giving children just a topic with no guidance on what to research or help during a project is just not productive for 3rd graders. Reading books without doing anything active while they are being read and then expecting them to write something creative about them afterwards is not productive. As an example, my child was asked to research a country and produce a paper or poster on the country without any other information. No worksheets to fill out to help guide the children. Huge 100-300 page books given to them to research. Our school actually gives this type of thing to all their kids, AAP and non-AAP. I'm not sure what it is - flipped classroom? Whatever it is, we don't like it and are looking to move. Lemon Road works with our commutes.

My child would have no issue with any of these assignments. They are supposed to be creative and child-driven.

At third grade, I want my child to be able to be creative within some parameters. Not attend a Sudbury school without resources.

So you're a teacher then? Sounds like homeschooling might just be the ticket for your kids. You do realize that they go to a public school, don't you? That the teachers don't design lesson plans so that they meet with your approval.

The interesting thing I've found during my kids time in FCPS is that the kids of parents who worry about these types of things tend not to be very good students. Could there be a correlation between parents who worry about every jot and tittle of their kids learning experience and kids that are nothing special academically?

The only people I know who don't worry about these types of things are people who are rich and can supplement or switch their child at a moment's notice or people who don't care about education. Maybe you're just surrounded by rich people.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

Most of the kids in the class can't handle the work on their own. I've witnessed it myself. Giving children just a topic with no guidance on what to research or help during a project is just not productive for 3rd graders. Reading books without doing anything active while they are being read and then expecting them to write something creative about them afterwards is not productive. As an example, my child was asked to research a country and produce a paper or poster on the country without any other information. No worksheets to fill out to help guide the children. Huge 100-300 page books given to them to research. Our school actually gives this type of thing to all their kids, AAP and non-AAP. I'm not sure what it is - flipped classroom? Whatever it is, we don't like it and are looking to move. Lemon Road works with our commutes.

My child would have no issue with any of these assignments. They are supposed to be creative and child-driven.

At third grade, I want my child to be able to be creative within some parameters. Not attend a Sudbury school without resources.

So you're a teacher then? Sounds like homeschooling might just be the ticket for your kids. You do realize that they go to a public school, don't you? That the teachers don't design lesson plans so that they meet with your approval.

The interesting thing I've found during my kids time in FCPS is that the kids of parents who worry about these types of things tend not to be very good students. Could there be a correlation between parents who worry about every jot and tittle of their kids learning experience and kids that are nothing special academically?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

I don't have any interest in having a debate about whether my child is in the wrong class or not. We will decide that for ourselves. So far the teacher thinks everything is peachy, but we disagree because we see the kids floundering. I also have no interest in having a debate about our child's current school. We would like to try out Lemon Road and I would like to find out more about these teachers who others have said are amazing. What makes them amazing and how do they structure their classrooms? How is the curriculum structured? All schools are different.

The Lemon Road principal seems to be trying too hard, calling AAP "a unique program for unique students" and claiming the eligible kids from Shrevewood and Westgate need to be at Lemon Road. Maybe you love hearing that stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=97&v=UYWmc6ZgM0k

Gag.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

Most of the kids in the class can't handle the work on their own. I've witnessed it myself. Giving children just a topic with no guidance on what to research or help during a project is just not productive for 3rd graders. Reading books without doing anything active while they are being read and then expecting them to write something creative about them afterwards is not productive. As an example, my child was asked to research a country and produce a paper or poster on the country without any other information. No worksheets to fill out to help guide the children. Huge 100-300 page books given to them to research. Our school actually gives this type of thing to all their kids, AAP and non-AAP. I'm not sure what it is - flipped classroom? Whatever it is, we don't like it and are looking to move. Lemon Road works with our commutes.

My child would have no issue with any of these assignments. They are supposed to be creative and child-driven.

At third grade, I want my child to be able to be creative within some parameters. Not attend a Sudbury school without resources.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

Oh my goodness, you are way to involved. I have no idea what kind of projects my kids did in AAP because even at grade 3, they did them.

You are welcome to be uninvolved and I'm welcome to be involved. There is no right or wrong way to be. There are plenty of parents who choose private school or Mclean or Haycock in order to not have to worry about these things. My child is in an FCPS school where the teachers are checked out. I want to find a new school. And no, not every FCPS school is so great.

EXACTLY! I am in the same positions as PP and am greatly disappointed with the variability of FCPS schools. Unless you live in Mclean or parts of Vienna (which we unfortunately do not) most FCPS elementary schools are glorified daycare centers. At DCs school teacher's barely have
any subject matter expertise which explains the weak, open ended projects that are typically assigned and there is little to no guidance from the teacher(s). Thank goodness for involved parents because no one is really teaching these kids anything substantive!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

"We"? If your child can't handle the work on her own, she is placed in the wrong class.

Most of the kids in the class can't handle the work on their own. I've witnessed it myself. Giving children just a topic with no guidance on what to research or help during a project is just not productive for 3rd graders. Reading books without doing anything active while they are being read and then expecting them to write something creative about them afterwards is not productive. As an example, my child was asked to research a country and produce a paper or poster on the country without any other information. No worksheets to fill out to help guide the children. Huge 100-300 page books given to them to research. Our school actually gives this type of thing to all their kids, AAP and non-AAP. I'm not sure what it is - flipped classroom? Whatever it is, we don't like it and are looking to move. Lemon Road works with our commutes.

My child would have no issue with any of these assignments. They are supposed to be creative and child-driven.

So you are unhappy with your center? Do you mind posting which one it is?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the projects that are given out? Are they well structured? We've noticed some AAP centers are extremely open ended with their projects. As an example, they give an assignment in very vague terms and then expect the kids to be very creative with their presentation. Our child enjoys being challenged but at 3rd grade still needs a bit of structure. Instead of being told to write a paper about a subject and just being given some books, we'd like our child to be given similar examples or a form to fill out as an outline before writing a paper on the subject.

Can anyone answer this question? We are tired of the open ended assignments with no structure. I guess we're looking for an advanced academic program, not a gifted free for all one. How does Lemon Road measure up?

Oh my goodness, you are way to involved. I have no idea what kind of projects my kids did in AAP because even at grade 3, they did them.

You are welcome to be uninvolved and I'm welcome to be involved. There is no right or wrong way to be. There are plenty of parents who choose private school or Mclean or Haycock in order to not have to worry about these things. My child is in an FCPS school where the teachers are checked out. I want to find a new school. And no, not every FCPS school is so great.