private schools advice needed!

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by super64

Now we're talkin' !
1.The International School is by lottery and we are still out of district /out of state boohoo
2. The Seattle Public School's APP is a great program and I need to call them. Anyone know about the middle schools involved with the APP. I know Garfield is the high school
3. I did not know the FASPS was opening a middle school this year - great news and thanks for the lead

I appreciate your support and feedback! As I see it, we all have an issue/situation that is fairly unique and we are just trying to connect. Thanks.

Anyone have children in the APP in Seattle Public Schools?
We'll be moving our kids (7th and 10th) around October so I need to do as much research as possible as I do not want to have to move them again!

My son is just starting APP this year (in the first grade) so I cannot give you first hand information about the program. I can tell you that when I went to Lowell's open house last year, the APP program director discussed his own son's history in it. He just graduated from high school and spent his entire education in the program: Lowell-Washington Middle- and Garfield. He and something like 22 of his first grade classmates were National Merit Scholars before it was all over.

I've spoken with several parents that have their kids in the program for a few years and have not met one person that had anything negative to say. And believe me, these are some discerning parents.

Because the kids are only working two grade levels above (they tell you at open house that if you are expecting your first grader to be doing fifth grade math, this is NOT the program for you) they get to spend a lot more time exploring the depths of a certain subject area. It's a great program in the sense that your kid is no longer the "smartest" or most "bookish" kid in the class so as to not feel like a geeky outsider Plus, it is much better to have a kid challenged now, rather than have him skate through and suddenly hit a wall when he gets to college. I think it keeps their egos in check too.

The best part: the price tag, $0

[tobester]

From experience, it is very difficult to get into the APP program if you haven't been in the district for a while. Lots of begging and proactive interaction is needed.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by tobester

From experience, it is very difficult to get into the APP program if you haven't been in the district for a while. Lots of begging and proactive interaction is needed.

You simply need to meet the testing requirements - top 2% on the WISC IV or Stanford Binet V and top 5% for a predesignated reading and math achievement test - at least that's how it is at the elementary level. The Revised Code of Washington requires that each school district provide special education programming for "gifted" learners. Seattle's compliance with that law is APP.

[tobester]

I was speaking primarily about the 10th grader. At that level, you are told the programs are overcapacity and there is no room.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by tobester

I was speaking primarily about the 10th grader. At that level, you are told the programs are overcapacity and there is no room.

You are right about the 10th grader in that one cannot enter the APP program in high school but the the 7th grader is still eligible. That said, the student can still go to Garfield through school choice, although he may or may not get in, and take AP (Advanced Placement) classes.

[super64]

Ironically, the 10th grader has years of testing and coursework documentation so he should not have too much difficulty although it would still take some work . It's the 7th grader - he's our "sleeper". I've had to navigate through a number of school districts in previous moves and was a hs teacher, so I am aware of the time involved in securing the appropriate placement. That being said, does anyone know the best person to contact in SPS's APP program to find information and get the wheels in motion? Is the 10th grade program over-enrolled? What do they do with the students in the district who qualify but do not get in? and, who gets turned away? that would be a tough policy to defend as an administrator

Thank you again - this is really helping me.

[Ira500]

Robert Vaughan is the manager of advanced leaning for SPS, which includes APP and Spectrum. His phone # is 206-252-0131, and email is rvaughan@seattleschools.org

Perhaps he can help.

[Naturamom]

Wow - these have been great questions and answers! We are also moving to Seattle and have a 7 year-old who is working at the 3rd grade level....thanks so much for the APP information.