Anonymous wrote:Is this a problem for the parents or the children?

Anonymous wrote:I'm sad to read that others haven't had a good experience at Louise Archer. My children attend LAES (one in the center and one in gen ed) and we've had a great experience at the school. We've had great teachers every year and have had really positive interactions with the principal. The PTA is active and sponsors some wonderful programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Louise Archer is located in an area where a concentration of toxic, self-important assholes live, so doing business, driving, shopping, and interacting on any level is affected. Don't take that school as being a typical center school.

I have sent my kids to five different FCPS elementary schools over the years, two of which had AAP centers that some of my kids were in. I have family and good friends with kids in other center schools.

Most of our experiences are good, and whether there's a center or not does not create problems or a toxic atmosphere in most cases. A center can bring up the quality of the PTA involvement and number of clubs and activities at the school. Night and day compared to some of the Title I schools we also know, where parent involvement was low and there were almost no clubs or activities because everyone was either working three jobs or didn't think school was important. So look at the neighborhood itself. Find someplace relatively moderate and you'll be fine.

I respectfully disagree. Our center school is located in a "moderate" area, but unfortunately the fact that it's a center means that toxic, self-important asshole parents are the norm at the school since their kids are (for the most part) the ones in AAP. In our experience with two different center schools, the majority AAP dynamic is toxic no matter how you slice it. If there is a large group of kids who are pretty much told by parents and teachers that they are somehow "special," or superior, then these kids will believe it and act accordingly - insufferable.

Anonymous wrote:Louise Archer is located in an area where a concentration of toxic, self-important assholes live, so doing business, driving, shopping, and interacting on any level is affected. Don't take that school as being a typical center school.

I have sent my kids to five different FCPS elementary schools over the years, two of which had AAP centers that some of my kids were in. I have family and good friends with kids in other center schools.

Most of our experiences are good, and whether there's a center or not does not create problems or a toxic atmosphere in most cases. A center can bring up the quality of the PTA involvement and number of clubs and activities at the school. Night and day compared to some of the Title I schools we also know, where parent involvement was low and there were almost no clubs or activities because everyone was either working three jobs or didn't think school was important. So look at the neighborhood itself. Find someplace relatively moderate and you'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if your kids go to a non center neighborhood school, it is hard to understand how ugly the center school vibe can get.

This is precisely it. So many people have zero idea what centers are really like, especially for the kids in Gen Ed. I honestly can't believe FCPS still allows the center dynamic at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not our school but I've met over 10 parents who rave about Spring Hill. Not in our budget unfortunately.

I'm sure it's a fine school (we lived in the Hamlet, where everyone is nice); however, my son attended K there several years ago, and we did not love his teachers. My son was well-behaved and quiet, but did not fit whatever mold kindergarten was looking for - and they let us know it. My son is an outstanding rising 7th grader now, but I still can't get over how his K teachers treated him! I know, I know...

Anonymous wrote:I think if your kids go to a non center neighborhood school, it is hard to understand how ugly the center school vibe can get.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not talking about just loving one particular teacher or class, but really feeling like you won the lottery because the whole package has been such a great experience.

If so, which school and what do you love about it? It would also be helpful if folks could specify whether their experience is with General Ed or AAP.

Generally like Willow Springs elementary. Active parent population. High academics. Wonderful new principal (thank god).

But, the "AAP v. 'gen. ed.'" is really, really, REALLY gross at Willow Springs. They are separate (field trips separate; different requirements for back to school packs as just a couple examples). There is a feeling of one is better, one gets preferential traeatment. And the kids know it. It's pretty bad. We are a level IV center school.