School recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whenever these conversations occur, I can never understand how someone knows her child is working"several grades ahead."

I should start a new thread.

If her kid is in MoCo, every year they test the kids and report to the parents how the kid is performing, gradewise, against MoCo benchmarks.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP about Norwood's three levels. If he's that far ahead, he's going to be at the top of the top level, and that still won't be challenging. You need to find one of the private elementaries that individualizes learning plans by keeping the kids working in small groups of 2-3 with teachers regularly coming around; give skill-appropriate books and problems, etc. From looking at schools last year, I recall Maret and Beauvoir were definitely doing this. St. Pat's might have been as well.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Tx for suggestions and thoughts everyone. So many of these schools seem to be religious, which would be a problem for us. We're Jewish and I wouldn't feel comfortable sending him to a religious school of another faith.

Seems like I should add Landon, Maret and Mclean to the list of schools to look at.

[Anonymous]

Isn't there a GT program for your DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean in Potomac, MD?

You should look at Lowell too (relatively closeby).

I was thinking McLean, but with a clear eye to what you are getting. My DS goes there and is truly ahead in reading. He was a completely fluent reader when he started in kindergarten. I also know of a child who is gifted and advanced in math who is doing well there. Part of the individualization that they offer is support for kids who are ahead in one area. My DS absolutely needs the small classes and structure and it has been a great fit for him, even though he is advanced in some areas. BUT . . . in general, it is not as rigorous as other privates in the area. You really have to visit and get a sense yourself for whether it is a good fit. They would be able to handle your DS' issues with distraction beautifully, probably better than any other school in the area. The question for you would be the academics. You can ask their admissions department questions like this and they may be very helpful.

Not OP but thanks for this assessment - we've been considering McLean for our daughter who would definitely benefit from their approach, but we've had a hard time pinning down exactly the type of student that goes there ... this descrption is helpful and helps reconfirm that we should follow up on the application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one, not pediatrician or teachers, think he has ADHD. We are testing to see if we can figure out root cause of issues.

Have him tested by reputable childhood psychiatrist. Sounds like ADHD or executive functioning and this is the perfect age to get a leg-up on the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whenever these conversations occur, I can never understand how someone knows her child is working"several grades ahead."

I should start a new thread.

Assessments.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about the Highly Gifted program?

[Anonymous]

Yes, we are applying to HGC. But there are limited spots, so want options. Also, am concerned that middle school magnets segment education to math and science or humanities and arts. He's strong in both. I'm not fond of system that pigeonholes that early.