Which DMV school system offers the most for gifted kids?
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Anonymous
| interesting thread. my husband and I both were in gifted programs as children and had IQs tested at around 145 (for me) and 150 (for him). we are wondering what to do with our kids... currently in DCPS schools where they are actually thriving -- they are very self-motivated -- but there are no gifted programs. how important is it for them to be in an actual gifted program? |
Anonymous
|
Tippy top genuinely off the charts gifted - MoCo. But for most kids looking for advanced paced in MoCo in ES they are screwed as it is a very small program.
FCPS is best if your kid is “gifted” in the sense that they are quick at picking things up and able to work above grade level since FCPS’s program is pretty big. |
Anonymous
+1. I have a tippy top 1% kid who is thriving in the gifted programs in MCPS but for my other 3 who are smart but not crazy smart I would rather we be in FCPS. |
Anonymous
| In MoCo, living in the Piney Branch ES zone gives you the greatest chances at getting into the CES and MS magnet. PBES has a local CES for grades 4 and 5, which is also a plus because you don't have to ride a bus to a regional center. And since TPMS is the zoned middle school there too, there are some local seats for the magnet program. There aren't local seats for the Blair HS magnet. |
Anonymous
115+ is a pretty normal IQ. In MoCo, my child's IQ is mid-120's and we get nothing. |
Anonymous
The lower limit for giftedness is usually around 135. |
Anonymous
FCPS provides full time gifted services to 20-25% of the kids, and part time services to another 10% or more. Their programs are for the above average kids and not the gifted kids. |
Anonymous
The FCPS programs are for the gifted kids and the above average kids. The more the merrier. |
Anonymous
|
“ The FCPS programs are for the gifted kids and the above average kids. The more the merrier.”
Maybe that varies by center? DD did a FCPS Level 4 center and she is the advanced not “off the charts ” kind of kid; got top grades without seeming to sweat it that much. I cannot imagine truly gifted kids find it really challenging. I like that it serves a wider swath than MCPS but I think FCPS does not really have something for the off the charts kids. |
Anonymous
From the posts in the APP board, many don't even sound above average. Its interesting an APP kid would be struggling in 7th in Algebra when non-magnet kids in MCPS take Algebra in 6/7. |
Anonymous
My highly gifted child spent all day in AAP twiddling his thumbs and waiting for the other kids to catch up. He was bored and absurdly unchallenged. Thankfully, we have left FCPS, and my child is finally having his academic needs met. FCPS does not have a gifted program, and only serves above average kids with parents who think their child is gifted. |
Anonymous
| Something no one has mentioned yet is that it really depends on how old your kids are when you move. My understanding is that FCPS is better at moving kids into AAP at different ages. MCPS has three entry points - testing in mid-3rd grade for CES entry in 4th, testing in early 5th grade for magnet MS entry in 6th, and testing in early 8th grade for magnet HS entry in 9th. If your kid misses the testing window for their grade, they are out of luck until the next entry point. |
Anonymous
From reading these forums, it does seem to vary by center. PP's experience is not universal. |
Anonymous
| Bilingual dcps programs have been good for our two gifted kids. |
Anonymous
| In Virginia, probably Fairfax. The advantage is that it starts fairly early -- in third grade -- and will lump the above average (120+)/gifted kids together, instead of pull-outs or the weird split program Loudoun has, or basically offering nothing, as I've heard of Arlington. |