Typical day at HGC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My experience is only with public school. I do not think that the HGC is like having a private school within a public school. I think it's like having a particular program within a public school -- which is what, in fact, it is.

OP, if you want to know what a typical day is like, then I suggest that you go to the open house and listen and talk to real live people involved with the program.

I think the first statement is accurate (although I wonder why I don't count as a real live person ). If you go private for small classes, or lots of "specials"/recess, then HGC isn't any different from any other public classroom (in fact, while sometimes you can luck out into a smaller class by virtue of the numbers in a given grade, an HGC class will always be close to or at the allowable capacity, since there are lots of kids trying to get in). On the other hand, if you are looking for a challenging, interesting curriculum, that is something the HGC can provide.

I agree - I did not really understand that whole "private school" comment. Class sizes are around 26, and there are no extra resources. What you do get is a fabulous curriculum, a great peer group and talented teachers. The work is interesting and challenging, the kids get great writing and critical thinking skills. But you are in a regular public school. We think this is a plus- best of both worlds really.

Do you think that the teaching, critical teaching skills taught are equal or better than that in a private school? This really cuts to the heart of the matter for me.

Better IMO.

[Anonymous]

"Do you think that the teaching, critical teaching skills taught are equal or better than that in a private school? This really cuts to the heart of the matter for me. "

This is an unanswerable question, unless you assume that the typical private school is better than the typical public school. Which I don't.

[Anonymous]

what a weird thread, with broad questions and circuitous answers.
I am wondering if the centers serve to inspire and excite the students, and whether they do project-based learning, and whether teachers are able to take student questions and develop them into learning experiences/projects. But I'll try to get my answer at the open house!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Do you think that the teaching, critical teaching skills taught are equal or better than that in a private school? This really cuts to the heart of the matter for me. "

This is an unanswerable question, unless you assume that the typical private school is better than the typical public school. Which I don't.

I agree with you - unless you are talking about the likes of NCS, Sidwell, Holton Arms etc. I have family and friends in these schools but dc has always been at public school (currently at a HGC). there have been prior posts from people with direct experience at these better private schools and at HGCs and i got the impression that they preferred the academic experience at the HGCs. The curriculum is fantastic and I would imagine that the ability level of the students is higher at the HGCs. It is also likely to be more diverse. There is such a range of private schools in the area and people send their children to these schools for lots of different reasons (religion, class size). If you are making a decision on the basis of the academic experience, I think the HGCs and other magnet programs in MCPS would give even the big three a run for their money!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what a weird thread, with broad questions and circuitous answers.
I am wondering if the centers serve to inspire and excite the students, and whether they do project-based learning, and whether teachers are able to take student questions and develop them into learning experiences/projects. But I'll try to get my answer at the open house!

You asked three questions and from our experience, I think the centers do a great job at the first two. I don't really understand your third query. In fifth grade they do a big research project (dc wrote over 2,500 words) and they can pick any topic they are passionate about. They don't really do a lot of experiential learning if that is what you are getting at in your third query.

[Anonymous]

I guess each has it's pros and cons. Maybe a better thing for me to think about is will my child continue on in a magnet and if not is there any benefit to being at the HGC for 4th/5th.

[Anonymous]

My child is a 5th grader at a HGC..I don;t think the actual day is structured so differently than a typical MCPS class. Typical amount of math, English, specials etc. The difference is the content of thos subjects. They are on a higher lvel with challenging projects. The amount of work they are assigned is much higher. Better teachers? Our center seems to have a mix. Our center seems to have a mix. DC unfortunately has a fairly week teacher this year. We are still very happy with the choice to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess each has it's pros and cons. Maybe a better thing for me to think about is will my child continue on in a magnet and if not is there any benefit to being at the HGC for 4th/5th.

I am not sure if that is the best way to think about it. they have a fantastic learning experience for two years, their horizons are broadened, they learn great writing, critical thinking and study skills. They won't lose any of that even if they go back to their home middle school. around half of the kids apply to the middle school magnets and maybe half of those get in, and not all who are admitted end up attending. dc got into both takoma and eastern and will not attend either. we are very grateful for dc's two years at the HGC- it has been amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess each has it's pros and cons. Maybe a better thing for me to think about is will my child continue on in a magnet and if not is there any benefit to being at the HGC for 4th/5th.

I am not sure if that is the best way to think about it. they have a fantastic learning experience for two years, their horizons are broadened, they learn great writing, critical thinking and study skills. They won't lose any of that even if they go back to their home middle school. around half of the kids apply to the middle school magnets and maybe half of those get in, and not all who are admitted end up attending. dc got into both takoma and eastern and will not attend either. we are very grateful for dc's two years at the HGC- it has been amazing.

I'm sorry I wasn't clearer. She'd be going back to her old private. Maybe it would be too disruptive. They do a fairly good job of teaching them critical thinking skills/writing skills. I was excited about her having peers, but I don't think I want her to be under alot of pressure in a magnet further on down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi!
I'd like to know what a typical day/week is for a child in a HGC program in terms of classes. I've seen some input on the amount of homework. We are currently at a small private and want to weigh the pros/cons. So please share your insights with us. Thanks!!! P.S. We are thrilled that DC got accepted, but need to see if it is the right fit.

I just came across my DS 5th grader's center schedule that we got at the beginning of the year (I forgot we had it..am starting to clear things out for the eventual middle school paper deluge!)

every day they have writing (20 min); math (1 hr, 10 min); recess/lunch (55 min. total); Read aloud (20 min); language arts (20 min). Then they have specials - music, art, PE once a week (or lang. arts, media center, computer lab); social studies or science.

I just showed the schedule to my DS and he said it doesn't completely reflect the way it actually is every day, but more or less.

We've been very pleased with the program.

And getting into an HCG does not mean they will get into a middle school magnet program....that's a completely separate application process and test, in a way more competitive than the HCG.

Not all the 5th graders from the HGCs get into the magnet program...and, obviously, many applicants from nonHGC programs do.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for sharing. Could you give some indication of the hours for the specials? Thanks!
"specials - music, art, PE once a week (or lang. arts, media center, computer lab); social studies or science"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess each has it's pros and cons. Maybe a better thing for me to think about is will my child continue on in a magnet and if not is there any benefit to being at the HGC for 4th/5th.

I am not sure if that is the best way to think about it. they have a fantastic learning experience for two years, their horizons are broadened, they learn great writing, critical thinking and study skills. They won't lose any of that even if they go back to their home middle school. around half of the kids apply to the middle school magnets and maybe half of those get in, and not all who are admitted end up attending. dc got into both takoma and eastern and will not attend either. we are very grateful for dc's two years at the HGC- it has been amazing.

I'm sorry I wasn't clearer. She'd be going back to her old private. Maybe it would be too disruptive. They do a fairly good job of teaching them critical thinking skills/writing skills. I was excited about her having peers, but I don't think I want her to be under alot of pressure in a magnet further on down the road.

I'm the PP. I think I understand your concern better now. If you are happy with your school and intend to return in middle school, perhaps it is best to keep her there instead of pulling her out for just two years.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a good idea to pull a child out for 2 years if you are happy with the current school and plan to go back there. It doesn't sound like money is an issue so I don't see the need to switch.