What are the gifted and talented program options for K and 1st grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flexible about location, since we're willing to be in MD, DC, or VA. Looking for the best G&T program (yes, I do have gin and tonics on the brain today) possibilities at the K and 1st grade level. I know about programs in MoCo and Fairfax for older grades, but we're curious about options at the entry-level stages of elementary.

Thanks for any information.

Arlington does pull-outs and will formally identify in 1st (maybe K--my kids got pull-out for reading and math in K but no formal plan). Agree with other posters that you might not want to focus too much on the availability of a formal program at those grades--there is a lot of variation among K and 1 students (some kids enter reading and doing math above grade and some are just starting) so schools have ways to differentiate. We never asked for anything, just assumed they would notice that our kids were above grade level, and both were identified and pulled out very early in the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kids aren't that gifted and talented, OP. I mean, I know you think they are -- and you will be surrounded by people who think the same -- but they're just not. If you have some sort of phenom on your hands, you wouldn't be looking at public, anyway.

You should market this to FFX schools--think of the money they could save on testing and assessments and appeals! You can just evaluate everyone's kids immediately, via internet. Fabulous.

[Anonymous]

"Your kids aren't that gifted and talented, OP. I mean, I know you think they are -- and you will be surrounded by people who think the same -- but they're just not. If you have some sort of phenom on your hands, you wouldn't be looking at public, anyway."

+1000. Unless you're kids are at the 99.5%+ percentile for intelligence - like reading at a H.S. or college level - I don't see any need for G&T in the younger grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Your kids aren't that gifted and talented, OP. I mean, I know you think they are -- and you will be surrounded by people who think the same -- but they're just not. If you have some sort of phenom on your hands, you wouldn't be looking at public, anyway."

+1000. Unless you're kids are at the 99.5%+ percentile for intelligence - like reading at a H.S. or college level - I don't see any need for G&T in the younger grades.

Yes. If your child would benefit from being placed in a higher reading group or math group that is one thing. But if you think your 5 yo is being identified as GT and needs a program for it, then you should go private. At this age all enrichment could be done at home.

[Anonymous]

NP here.

OP, in short, private is the way to go.
MOCO has GT for 1st and 2nd at Tacoma Park elementary. I believe the last time i saw the stats there were hundreds applications out of which about 100 kids qualified. There are only 15 spots so the county used lottery to pick 15 kids.

We have a sharp 5yo DD, who reads at 6th grade level. She is excellent at math (multiplication, division, addition of thousands with carryovers etc. ) We put her into private where they can deal with her levels of intensity and motivation/drive. In addition, we put her into kumon (because she really really wanted to go). In addition to kumon she also makes us work with her at home (ie Singapore math workbooks). she also does IXL periodically. She is now asking us to put her into mathnasium (we said enough/no). If you have a brilliant/motivated kid who is ready to work there are many many options, public GT is not the only way to go. Look for schools where parents/teachers say that "this school will make star out of any kid". schools like that typically personalize learning experience which greatly benefits above average kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Your kids aren't that gifted and talented, OP. I mean, I know you think they are -- and you will be surrounded by people who think the same -- but they're just not. If you have some sort of phenom on your hands, you wouldn't be looking at public, anyway."

+1000. Unless you're kids are at the 99.5%+ percentile for intelligence - like reading at a H.S. or college level - I don't see any need for G&T in the younger grades.

Yes. If your child would benefit from being placed in a higher reading group or math group that is one thing. But if you think your 5 yo is being identified as GT and needs a program for it, then you should go private. At this age all enrichment could be done at home.

It seems to be a myth that private elementary is good for the truly gifted (at least in the popular DC privates) -- see private forum before you consider that move.

[Anonymous]

Put them in an immersion language school. They'll be challenged and learn another language.