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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Turning down HGC?
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Anonymous
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Was recently offered spot in HGC, but are considering turning it down. Were not impressed during visit and really love home school.
Have any of you turned down the HGC and later regretted the decision? |
Anonymous
| Turned it down with two kids, one now in high school and one in college. No regrets. |
Anonymous
| Just curious which center you were less than impressed with.. I think if you feel your childs needs are met where you are you should stay there. I am assuming the logistics are easier. They stay with their local friends.. |
Anonymous
| I can't imagine turning it down. Ours (Pine Crest) has been a lifesaver for DC -- so challenging and engaging, a great group of kids, fantastic teachers, supportive principal. |
Anonymous
Our child also went to Pine Crest, and it was a lifesaver, but our neighbor turned down Pine Crest for her DC#2 because of her DC#1's horrific experience with one of the Pine Crest fourth-grade teachers, and their experience with the principal (who is a dour, humorless, non-responsive PITA). That said, our child had a fabulous experience at Pine Crest. I wouldn't turn down a spot in the HGC. But my experience is limited to our children's previous school; maybe other schools offer challenges that ours didn't. |
Anonymous
| My dd is at the center at chevy chase. The experience has been fantastic and changed her for the better. Why not try out the school? If you don't like it, you can return to your home school at any time. |
Anonymous
We're considering this school (not the OP). Could you tell me how it changed your DC for the better? Just in academic ways or in nonacademic ways as well? TIA |
Anonymous
Hmmm. We loved our child's 4th grade teacher but thought the other teacher was a bit intense -- so I could see that. I haven't heard anyone describe her class as "horrific"! I have had the opposite experience with the principal, who supported us through some difficult issues not related to the program. I found her a bit severe at first but ultimately she was able to see the situation in light of kids' age and development and was very helpful. |
Anonymous
Horrific was her word, not mine. Our child had the non-intense teacher  so I have no opinion on the intense one.
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Anonymous
| In response to questions about CCES: definitely go! The teachers for both grades are phenomenal. The aspect that had the most impact for us was the peer group. My daughter never quite fit in at her previous school. She never had any problems with other kids, but was very indifferent to most of them and bored in class. The kids at the center have similar interests or are at least interested in other interesting things to the same level of intensity. The program really fosters creativity and promotes divergent thinking. We were warned about the large amounts of homework and we've found that she's had less homework over the past two years than before she went to the center. She's a smart kid and she received validation that it can actually be cool to be a "nerd". She's off to the TPMS magnet next year and has developed a stronger interest in math and computer science. Also, the school has some great after school programs: Video Production, Robotics, Poetry, Shakespeare Play, and many more. Remember, you can always leave the program at any time, so why not give it a shot? |
Anonymous
Thank you for the insights! This was a really helpful post. |
Anonymous
| I read an earlier post where a parent and child decided that the Cold Spring HGC was not the right place for their child. Has anyone else had this experience? |
Anonymous
| Pine Crest parents: Tx for the insight. I'm the OP and our initial impression of the principal was very similar to what was said here. We come from a school with a vibrant, fabulous principal, so it was a stark contrast. |
Anonymous
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I will say something about Pine Crest and the principal: she gives the HGC teachers wide lattitude and really, you will hardly ever need to interact with her. The HGC classes are a world unto themselves.
If you gave PC a miss because the principal isn't warm and fuzzy, I think you are making a big mistake. The kind of peer group, engaging curriculum and challenge is simply unmatched in MCPS. |
Anonymous
PC parent here and I completely agree. We've had a great experience there and have had no need to interact with the principal at all. |