I would like DS to turn down HGC. Husband thinks I'm crazy!

[Anonymous]

Heard math is same for home school and HGC. Rest of GT curriculum is still being figured out under 2.0. The open houses will clarify, but sounds like home versus HGC aren't as different academically any more?

[Anonymous]

Some parent whose kid is in the waitlist thinks that your idea is fabulous. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

It's definitely a tough decision. We turned it down so our child could stay in a language immersion program. From the foreign language standpoint alone -- it was the best decision. The best way to learn a foreign language is through full immersion and our child's fluency is very impressive at this point. However, we sometimes wonder if it was the best decision from an academic standpoint. Our child is not challenged at their school --- and has actually become a bit lazy with schoolwork. I remind myself though that this is only elementary school and that the socialization aspect is just as important as the schoolwork. Plus, in some respects kids feel good doing well so easily. If the language immersion program was not a factor however, and our child would be moving from the regular home school, we would have accepted the HGC invitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's definitely a tough decision. We turned it down so our child could stay in a language immersion program. From the foreign language standpoint alone -- it was the best decision. The best way to learn a foreign language is through full immersion and our child's fluency is very impressive at this point. However, we sometimes wonder if it was the best decision from an academic standpoint. Our child is not challenged at their school --- and has actually become a bit lazy with schoolwork. I remind myself though that this is only elementary school and that the socialization aspect is just as important as the schoolwork. Plus, in some respects kids feel good doing well so easily. If the language immersion program was not a factor however, and our child would be moving from the regular home school, we would have accepted the HGC invitation.

Our DD left immersion to attend the HGC. She participated in a language group during 4/5 grade outside of school, then took foreign language from grades 6-12 and spent a few summers in the country of the target language. She arrived at college (she is a freshman) 100% fluent and really, no worse off than if she had stayed in immersion.

IMO immersion is not a reason to turn down the center program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heard math is same for home school and HGC. Rest of GT curriculum is still being figured out under 2.0. The open houses will clarify, but sounds like home versus HGC aren't as different academically any more?

I don't think that is true.

Even if it is true "on paper," IME the Center teachers know what they need to do for these kids and they do it, regardless of curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heard math is same for home school and HGC. Rest of GT curriculum is still being figured out under 2.0. The open houses will clarify, but sounds like home versus HGC aren't as different academically any more?

This is completely not true. Despite the fact they have not completely worked out GT under 2.0, the work is much different. First, the kids get a lot more work, move at a faster pace. The curriculum is fully integrated. They read and write a ton. I could go into more detail, but I don't want anyone to think the work is the same b/c it's not.

[Anonymous]

So the HGC enrichment is teacher dependent?

[Anonymous]

The HGC curriculum is not the same as the regular curriculum. That aside, the classroom experience just isn't the same. As one of the HGC teachers put it at the open house we attended last year, the teachers are often facilitators to the students' discussions. When I sat in on a class I was amazed at how many questions the students asked because they were so engaged. The students were taught something but then they quickly moved to all of the exceptions to the rule. So a child who can participate in that kind of discussion is not having the same experience as a student in a regular classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The HGC curriculum is not the same as the regular curriculum. That aside, the classroom experience just isn't the same. As one of the HGC teachers put it at the open house we attended last year, the teachers are often facilitators to the students' discussions. When I sat in on a class I was amazed at how many questions the students asked because they were so engaged. The students were taught something but then they quickly moved to all of the exceptions to the rule. So a child who can participate in that kind of discussion is not having the same experience as a student in a regular classroom.

Are parents allowed to sit in on a class before the acceptance deadline?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The HGC curriculum is not the same as the regular curriculum. That aside, the classroom experience just isn't the same. As one of the HGC teachers put it at the open house we attended last year, the teachers are often facilitators to the students' discussions. When I sat in on a class I was amazed at how many questions the students asked because they were so engaged. The students were taught something but then they quickly moved to all of the exceptions to the rule. So a child who can participate in that kind of discussion is not having the same experience as a student in a regular classroom.

Are parents allowed to sit in on a class before the acceptance deadline?

Call your school.

I honestly do not understand why anyone would turn down an invitation to the Center program.

[Anonymous]

At the admitted students open house there was tour which included the classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The HGC curriculum is not the same as the regular curriculum. That aside, the classroom experience just isn't the same. As one of the HGC teachers put it at the open house we attended last year, the teachers are often facilitators to the students' discussions. When I sat in on a class I was amazed at how many questions the students asked because they were so engaged. The students were taught something but then they quickly moved to all of the exceptions to the rule. So a child who can participate in that kind of discussion is not having the same experience as a student in a regular classroom.

Are parents allowed to sit in on a class before the acceptance deadline?

Call your school.

I honestly do not understand why anyone would turn down an invitation to the Center program.

Because not all Center teachers are necessarily the same. In the forum, people have commented on good and not so great teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The HGC curriculum is not the same as the regular curriculum. That aside, the classroom experience just isn't the same. As one of the HGC teachers put it at the open house we attended last year, the teachers are often facilitators to the students' discussions. When I sat in on a class I was amazed at how many questions the students asked because they were so engaged. The students were taught something but then they quickly moved to all of the exceptions to the rule. So a child who can participate in that kind of discussion is not having the same experience as a student in a regular classroom.

Are parents allowed to sit in on a class before the acceptance deadline?

Call your school.

I honestly do not understand why anyone would turn down an invitation to the Center program.

Because that may be the best decision for that kid and that family. Do you really think everything is for everyone? There are a lot of good choices and equally good paths to personal success and fulfillment in life.

[Anonymous]

We have a 5th grader in an HCG program in MoCo, and it has been a mixed bag.

Downsides: We dislike the HGC school and its principal. One of the HGC teachers has been downright awful. It was a rough adjustment the first year. The transportation was very inconvenient, especially if you have multiple children. The curriculum was very similar at the HGC to the home school. Bottom line: If you have a really nice, community-oriented home school, you may miss it.

Upsides: For our DC, the peer group was a better fit at the HGC. Our DC is a quirky type.

[Anonymous]

We have a (non-quirky) child at the HGC and here are my thoughts. Yes, it is farther away so transportation is an issue - but it is no farther than if we'd gone with a private school, so not a big deal. Our home school was great in many ways, but our child was getting bored. DC needed to be around an entire classroom full of smart kids -- and not have the smart kids be "quiet" and "good" to offset the troublemakers. We thought DC needed to feel recognized for the hard work, good grades, etc. and having the recognition of being part of the HGC is something for her to be proud of. (Kids are constantly recognized for "travel" sports or great music, this is a similar academic opportunity.)
No one answer is right for every child/family. If you don't want the spot, don't take it. There will be a long line of others more than happy to take it.