Anyone know anything about Loudoun Co. Public Schools' GT programs (or lack thereof???)

[Anonymous]

We are contemplating a move out to Loudoun Co. and I am curious if anyone has any experience with the SEARCH/FUTURA elementary GT programs in place out there. I am worried I may be making a huge mistake by abandoning FFX County and its GT center-based programs...the SEARCH/FUTURA program is pullout-based and only one day per week , and it begins on FOURTH grade, not third. I feel that I will have to supplement extensively or even send my DC to Nysmith. Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.

[Anonymous]

I would look at Nysmith or Edlin.

[Anonymous]

Maybe doing KUMON and some language classes in addition to afterschool activities sponsored by the PTA? Don't know a lot about Loudoun County, sorry

[Anonymous]

Maybe doing KUMON and some language classes in addition to afterschool activities sponsored by the PTA? Don't know a lot about Loudoun County, sorry

I'm not familiar with the Loudoun GT program, but as a general matter, I personally would try to avoid putting my child in an environment where I had to do extensive supplementing at Kumon, SCORE, language classes, etc. These kids spend their entire day at school already. Your child should be in a school that is meeting his/her needs, not wasting the school day on work that is not advanced enough and then spending the afterschool hours sitting in academic or tutoring programs and then doing homework for his/her "regular" school. Kids need to be outside running around, playing sports, having "down time," reading, playing with friends, etc. My fear would be spending too many hours of the day on academics and schoolwork and not enough on play. I'd want to make sure that we have time for out-of-school activities that are non-academic - dance class, swim lessons, soccer, etc.

We looked at Edlin and were impressed with it. Our kids got in, but ultimately we chose the GT/AAP Center in FCPS and could not be happier with it. I hear great things about Nysmith as well but distance-wise, we decided it was not workable for us so we did not apply there.

[Anonymous]

I'm not in Loudoun Co so you may want to double check this information. But, from what I understand, they do not have anything equivalent to a GT Center or Local Level IV class in Fairfax Co. What they do have is once a week pull out for a short time for certain kids (which sounds equivalent to Level III service in Fairfax Co). If it's anything similar to a Level III service in Fairfax Co, then I think it's pretty useless because the Level III service provided in Fairfax doesn't amount to much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We looked at Edlin and were impressed with it. Our kids got in, but ultimately we chose the GT/AAP Center in FCPS and could not be happier with it. I hear great things about Nysmith as well but distance-wise, we decided it was not workable for us so we did not apply there.

It's good to hear of another "we got into Edlin but opted for FCPS' GT Center" family. We did the same thing and cannot be happier.

[Anonymous]

It's good to hear of another "we got into Edlin but opted for FCPS' GT Center" family. We did the same thing and cannot be happier.

That was me you were responding to. My husband has more of a "private school" bent and really wanted to send them to Edlin. He loved the fact that they taught Latin as part of the curriculum. But I told him that for the cost of putting 3 kids through Edlin, I'm pretty sure I could hire the world's best Latin tutor while I send them to the GT Center for free!

But I totally agree with you - we have been thrilled with the Center and our kids are thriving there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I told him that for the cost of putting 3 kids through Edlin, I'm pretty sure I could hire the world's best Latin tutor while I send them to the GT Center for free!

In our case it was only times 2 kids, but very similar reasons.

[Anonymous]

Hello, OP here. Guess no one really knows ANYTHING re: Loudoun Co. so I will have to find out for myself, as I should!

[Anonymous]

Then come back, and tell us.

[Anonymous]

not sure about the specific programs you are referring to but i do know Dominion high shcool in Sterling/potomac Falls has a magnet program that is heading toward being the equivalent of the Thomas Jeffereson science and technology program in Alexandira...

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in the selection process now, we should hear the decision within a few weeks. The program is one day a week at a local elementary school (for most kids it won't be their regular elementary school). The program stresses systems thinking (rather than coursework at the next level) and higher level projects. I have heard mixed reactions. Some kids enjoy the day away from their school, others have trouble adjusting. One specific complaint is that participants miss a day in their regular class and have to make up the work, in addition to the gifted program work. My sense is that it is not as rigorous or challenging as the Fairfax County GT program because of the limited time frame.

[Anonymous]

Hello, OP here...thank you to PP for posting your experience thus far. I am shocked that Loudoun does not model its GT program after FFX Co.

[Anonymous]

Not surprising. They have had a huge school-age population increase and are struggling to pay for the basics, esp with the decrease in Loudoun County property values. GT is viewed as a "nice extra".

[Anonymous]

just to defend the loudoun schools in general - they are very good schools. Fairfax county isn't what every school should model after and from what i understand fairfax is completely overcrowded, hence the trailers at half the schools! Loudoun county IS however the richest county in the nation and has lots of money for the schools. Politics is the only thing holding back the schools -- not money.