MoCo - Emotional Support for Gifted Students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

You sound like you really want to help her and my main advice would be to stop thinking her issues are due to her giftedness. Sounds like magnet schools are probably a bad fit even if she could get in. Those kids usually get good grades and work really hard. Can you afford private? There are some good schools for bright kids but who are not reaching their potential. You may want to visit McLean, Green Acres although that one only goes up through 8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP, but I would venture to say s/he meant that a 140 IQ is not highly gifted and thus on the bubble for admission.

140 is highly gifted, but there are a lot of highly gifted students in MoCo. With a 140 IQ, the child is far from a shoe in for magnet.

You gotta be kidding me. My three kids went thru the magnets and i dont' think their IQ is any higher than room temperature. Certainly no where close to 140!

PP here. I am NOT kidding you. My IQ was tested at 151. I made the magnet middle school. I did not make the magnet high school (attended the school anyway). I was far from the smartest person in the magnet program.

[Anonymous]

IQ and success in school (and/or life) are not always correlated. Social skills are equally or more important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not the PP, but I would venture to say s/he meant that a 140 IQ is not highly gifted and thus on the bubble for admission.

140 is highly gifted, but there are a lot of highly gifted students in MoCo. With a 140 IQ, the child is far from a shoe in for magnet.

You gotta be kidding me. My three kids went thru the magnets and i dont' think their IQ is any higher than room temperature. Certainly no where close to 140!

PP here. I am NOT kidding you. My IQ was tested at 151. I made the magnet middle school. I did not make the magnet high school (attended the school anyway). I was far from the smartest person in the magnet program.

Then either MCPS magnet admission process is faulted or IQ test itself is faulted. I really cannot believe (not being a humblebrag here) my three kids have IQ that high. They got into middle and HS magnets and did fairly well (not #1 in class but probably top 10-20% of magnet class). I do agree that there are a LOT of smart kids in magnets as you would expect but IQ of 140 still seems high to me. But I have no proof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

OP, my DS is in a gifted program in mcps. From your description above, I don't think your DD is all that different to most "gifted" kids. "Gifted" doesn't mean the child wants to work hard in every subject matter. Quite the contrary. I find most gifted students don't want to work on anything that bores them, my DS included. Actually, I think this is just *most* people, regardless of "giftedness".

I think most W cluster schools and magnet schools are pressure cookers. Maybe try JW IB program, though that is not a test in program. You have to live in the cluster. You can look at mcps website for more information on the MYP IB program. The MYP goes through 10th grade, and it requires a lot more in depth writing. To continue the program after 10th grade in (RM), you have test in. That's where it becomes a much bigger pressure cooker. By then, your DD can decide whether to try to test in. I believe RM holds some spots for in bound students.

No..RM neighborhood kids who finish the MYP program in 10th grade do not have to test in to the IB program. They can join by filling out a form..it is a pressure cooker though. RM also gives a preference to neighborhood kids for 9th grade..about 25 spots a year. Basically if you live in the RM cluster it is much less competitive.

I had a mom of an RM in-cluster student tell me that her DC tested in to IB. Conflicting info. Best to call the IB program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

OP, my DS is in a gifted program in mcps. From your description above, I don't think your DD is all that different to most "gifted" kids. "Gifted" doesn't mean the child wants to work hard in every subject matter. Quite the contrary. I find most gifted students don't want to work on anything that bores them, my DS included. Actually, I think this is just *most* people, regardless of "giftedness".

I think most W cluster schools and magnet schools are pressure cookers. Maybe try JW IB program, though that is not a test in program. You have to live in the cluster. You can look at mcps website for more information on the MYP IB program. The MYP goes through 10th grade, and it requires a lot more in depth writing. To continue the program after 10th grade in (RM), you have test in. That's where it becomes a much bigger pressure cooker. By then, your DD can decide whether to try to test in. I believe RM holds some spots for in bound students.

No..RM neighborhood kids who finish the MYP program in 10th grade do not have to test in to the IB program. They can join by filling out a form..it is a pressure cooker though. RM also gives a preference to neighborhood kids for 9th grade..about 25 spots a year. Basically if you live in the RM cluster it is much less competitive.

I had a mom of an RM in-cluster student tell me that her DC tested in to IB. Conflicting info. Best to call the IB program.

Agree. I should OP should call the school and find out for sure but I believe, for in-cluster kids, you can do either - test in to IB program like everyone else (Dec of 8th grade) or get in via MYP after 10th grade w/o taking the test. Not many kids join at 10th grade though. It's like trying to get on a moving train at full speed. It is a really tough program.

[Anonymous]

^ I "think" OP should... Sorry

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

OP, my DS is in a gifted program in mcps. From your description above, I don't think your DD is all that different to most "gifted" kids. "Gifted" doesn't mean the child wants to work hard in every subject matter. Quite the contrary. I find most gifted students don't want to work on anything that bores them, my DS included. Actually, I think this is just *most* people, regardless of "giftedness".

I think most W cluster schools and magnet schools are pressure cookers. Maybe try JW IB program, though that is not a test in program. You have to live in the cluster. You can look at mcps website for more information on the MYP IB program. The MYP goes through 10th grade, and it requires a lot more in depth writing. To continue the program after 10th grade in (RM), you have test in. That's where it becomes a much bigger pressure cooker. By then, your DD can decide whether to try to test in. I believe RM holds some spots for in bound students.

No..RM neighborhood kids who finish the MYP program in 10th grade do not have to test in to the IB program. They can join by filling out a form..it is a pressure cooker though. RM also gives a preference to neighborhood kids for 9th grade..about 25 spots a year. Basically if you live in the RM cluster it is much less competitive.

I had a mom of an RM in-cluster student tell me that her DC tested in to IB. Conflicting info. Best to call the IB program.

Agree. I should OP should call the school and find out for sure but I believe, for in-cluster kids, you can do either - test in to IB program like everyone else (Dec of 8th grade) or get in via MYP after 10th grade w/o taking the test. Not many kids join at 10th grade though. It's like trying to get on a moving train at full speed. It is a really tough program.

As previously stated RM kids can test in for 9th grade (with a preference for neighborhood kids) or join the program in 10th grade with no test. The new principal is very big on kids joining after 10th grade and the numbers have increased significantly in the last few years since he started. Still less than half the program but it used to be like 20.

[Anonymous]

should be after 10th grade not in 10th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

OP, my DS is in a gifted program in mcps. From your description above, I don't think your DD is all that different to most "gifted" kids. "Gifted" doesn't mean the child wants to work hard in every subject matter. Quite the contrary. I find most gifted students don't want to work on anything that bores them, my DS included. Actually, I think this is just *most* people, regardless of "giftedness".

I think most W cluster schools and magnet schools are pressure cookers. Maybe try JW IB program, though that is not a test in program. You have to live in the cluster. You can look at mcps website for more information on the MYP IB program. The MYP goes through 10th grade, and it requires a lot more in depth writing. To continue the program after 10th grade in (RM), you have test in. That's where it becomes a much bigger pressure cooker. By then, your DD can decide whether to try to test in. I believe RM holds some spots for in bound students.

No..RM neighborhood kids who finish the MYP program in 10th grade do not have to test in to the IB program. They can join by filling out a form..it is a pressure cooker though. RM also gives a preference to neighborhood kids for 9th grade..about 25 spots a year. Basically if you live in the RM cluster it is much less competitive.

I had a mom of an RM in-cluster student tell me that her DC tested in to IB. Conflicting info. Best to call the IB program.

Agree. I should OP should call the school and find out for sure but I believe, for in-cluster kids, you can do either - test in to IB program like everyone else (Dec of 8th grade) or get in via MYP after 10th grade w/o taking the test. Not many kids join at 10th grade though. It's like trying to get on a moving train at full speed. It is a really tough program.

As previously stated RM kids can test in for 9th grade (with a preference for neighborhood kids) or join the program in 10th grade with no test. The new principal is very big on kids joining after 10th grade and the numbers have increased significantly in the last few years since he started. Still less than half the program but it used to be like 20.

Okay, not interested in arguing. DC just graduated and, as far as I know, it's just handful of kids who joined 10th grade but, whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful responses. To be clear, DD is not LD, or autistic, or anxious. She is just not an easy going gifted kid - there are some who are people pleasers and are happy doing whatever extra credit work is given and getting good grades. DD is happy doing deep thinking in whatever areas interest her at the moment. She'll do school work, but often it is reluctantly if it doesn't have meaning to her. But when something does has meaning, she dives deep into it. So we're looking for a program that will let her dive deep and engage in critical thinking, but not something that feels like a pressure cooker, filled only with kids who are focused on grades rather than learning.

OP, my DS is in a gifted program in mcps. From your description above, I don't think your DD is all that different to most "gifted" kids. "Gifted" doesn't mean the child wants to work hard in every subject matter. Quite the contrary. I find most gifted students don't want to work on anything that bores them, my DS included. Actually, I think this is just *most* people, regardless of "giftedness".

I think most W cluster schools and magnet schools are pressure cookers. Maybe try JW IB program, though that is not a test in program. You have to live in the cluster. You can look at mcps website for more information on the MYP IB program. The MYP goes through 10th grade, and it requires a lot more in depth writing. To continue the program after 10th grade in (RM), you have test in. That's where it becomes a much bigger pressure cooker. By then, your DD can decide whether to try to test in. I believe RM holds some spots for in bound students.

No..RM neighborhood kids who finish the MYP program in 10th grade do not have to test in to the IB program. They can join by filling out a form..it is a pressure cooker though. RM also gives a preference to neighborhood kids for 9th grade..about 25 spots a year. Basically if you live in the RM cluster it is much less competitive.

I had a mom of an RM in-cluster student tell me that her DC tested in to IB. Conflicting info. Best to call the IB program.

Agree. I should OP should call the school and find out for sure but I believe, for in-cluster kids, you can do either - test in to IB program like everyone else (Dec of 8th grade) or get in via MYP after 10th grade w/o taking the test. Not many kids join at 10th grade though. It's like trying to get on a moving train at full speed. It is a really tough program.

As previously stated RM kids can test in for 9th grade (with a preference for neighborhood kids) or join the program in 10th grade with no test. The new principal is very big on kids joining after 10th grade and the numbers have increased significantly in the last few years since he started. Still less than half the program but it used to be like 20.

Not so. The MYP kids joining IB are basically "fillers" for IB kids who drop out first two years for various reasons. If you look at the number of kids graduate, it's pretty damn close to the number of incoming class 4 years prior. The program brings in about 100-110 and graduates about the same number.

[Anonymous]

RM neighborhood parent. We were also told that there is no limit on numbers for 11 grade applicants. Only for 9th grade.

[Anonymous]

IB kids usually have 3-4 APs by the end of 10th, and take 5-6 APs plus 2-3 IB exams in Junior year (plus more in Senior year). It's extremely hard to keep up. Even more difficult if you don't have the same foundation first two years as other kids.

[Anonymous]

Most schools IB programs don't start till 11th grade. BCC, Rockville.

[Anonymous]

I should say IB never starts before 11th grade. RM just has a selective magnet prep/MYP for the two years before.