GT Magnets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FWIW, I write as a parent who turned down admission to a GT center for my DC.

Yes, I'd like to know the reason too.
I' was debating with letting or not letting my child go to the GT. We received the letter last Saturday that she got in with way above the average get-in scores.
We talked yesterday night. She told me she wants to be "average", and doesn't want to re-learn the "stuffs" that she had learned.

I think we'll accept the admission.

[Anonymous]

also debating...our son got it, too, for 4th grade (Mont. Co) but says he wants to stay at our home school. Academically he's ready for the challenge, I don't think he's been challenged enough in his reading class, and think he is capable of doing much more than they're asking of him now.

However, I have been pleased with the level of math instruction at our current school. He's been adequately challlenged and has been taught above grade level material for the past 3 years.

The open house is coming up...it's hard to make a decision prior to that. I'm really 50/50 - because I don't want changing schools to become an issue. He's really worried about not knowing anyone there (there may be a few kids that go from the current school, but, most likely, not too many). I know kids adjust, but, at the same time, our home school is convenient and his younger sibling will still be at our home school.

[Anonymous]

Go. Go. Go. I can't say this enough. You would be nuts to turn this opportunity down -- the education they receive is SO far above regular MCPS.

It's infuriating that all MCPS kids don't get this kind of instruction, but don't miss the opportunity for your child. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:also debating...our son got it, too, for 4th grade (Mont. Co) but says he wants to stay at our home school. Academically he's ready for the challenge, I don't think he's been challenged enough in his reading class, and think he is capable of doing much more than they're asking of him now.

However, I have been pleased with the level of math instruction at our current school. He's been adequately challlenged and has been taught above grade level material for the past 3 years.

The open house is coming up...it's hard to make a decision prior to that. I'm really 50/50 - because I don't want changing schools to become an issue. He's really worried about not knowing anyone there (there may be a few kids that go from the current school, but, most likely, not too many). I know kids adjust, but, at the same time, our home school is convenient and his younger sibling will still be at our home school.

We have decided to stay at our Home school. The principal is great and so are all the teachers. They know my child so well and attentive to her needs - she is doing 6th grade math now and they have been giving her work which matches her interest in the classroom, so she is never bored. I am also concerned about the long commute and having to wake her up an hour earlier than needed.

[Anonymous]

I am wondering which school is offering 6th grade math to a 3rd grader. Our school limits to one grade ahead...used to be 2 but they cut it back this year. If I were able to get that kind of acceleration, I would not move either.

[Anonymous]

Its 5th grade with 6th grade extensions. Next year they will bump it up one level.

[Anonymous]

I hope the program continues as is at your school so your child does not have to repeat the year as my son is doing right now. That was our main reason for applying to a GT magnet. He got all outstandings in Math 4 in 2nd grade and is still in Math 4 this year (in a room where most children have not had it before) Fabulous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go. Go. Go. I can't say this enough. You would be nuts to turn this opportunity down -- the education they receive is SO far above regular MCPS.

It's infuriating that all MCPS kids don't get this kind of instruction, but don't miss the opportunity for your child. Seriously.

I agree. I think it's a crime to turn it down. If your child is admitted, then GO.

You can always return to the home school - but if you turn this down, you cannot reconsider that decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:also debating...our son got it, too, for 4th grade (Mont. Co) but says he wants to stay at our home school. Academically he's ready for the challenge, I don't think he's been challenged enough in his reading class, and think he is capable of doing much more than they're asking of him now.

However, I have been pleased with the level of math instruction at our current school. He's been adequately challlenged and has been taught above grade level material for the past 3 years.

The open house is coming up...it's hard to make a decision prior to that. I'm really 50/50 - because I don't want changing schools to become an issue. He's really worried about not knowing anyone there (there may be a few kids that go from the current school, but, most likely, not too many). I know kids adjust, but, at the same time, our home school is convenient and his younger sibling will still be at our home school.

We have decided to stay at our Home school. The principal is great and so are all the teachers. They know my child so well and attentive to her needs - she is doing 6th grade math now and they have been giving her work which matches her interest in the classroom, so she is never bored. I am also concerned about the long commute and having to wake her up an hour earlier than needed.

Just curious - why did you apply? If your reason for not changing schools is based on him not knowing anyone there; the home school being convenient; the wake-up time; and the younger sibling at the home school, all of which you knew in advance, then what has changed? Why did you apply?

I'm genuinely interested to understand this.

FWIW, you could apply for a transfer for the younger sibling to attend the school where the HGC is located, if you wanted to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope the program continues as is at your school so your child does not have to repeat the year as my son is doing right now. That was our main reason for applying to a GT magnet. He got all outstandings in Math 4 in 2nd grade and is still in Math 4 this year (in a room where most children have not had it before) Fabulous!

They should not do that. There are 4 levels of Math and I think three levels for English. At Math 4, he is not at the highest level. Did you check with your school?

[Anonymous]

I had many LONG conversations with my school. The highest level offered to third graders is math4 (w/ext). They did away with math7 for 5th graders this year too. Apparently the higher level MCPS math teachers feel that the kids are being over acclerated and are unprepared for higher math. Unfortunately there have ignored the kids that were ready..making a GT center more worth our while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had many LONG conversations with my school. The highest level offered to third graders is math4 (w/ext). They did away with math7 for 5th graders this year too. Apparently the higher level MCPS math teachers feel that the kids are being over acclerated and are unprepared for higher math. Unfortunately there have ignored the kids that were ready..making a GT center more worth our while.

is this for both "green zone" and "red zone" - i.e. all the potomac and bethesda-area feeders as well? so mcps had just taken the 2-grade accelaration pathway off the table for everyone - or is it school-dependent?

[Anonymous]

Not 11:14 but I have read this will become the norm with the new curiculumn that is being implemented starting in grades K & 1 next year? The concept is that enrichment will come from more depth not a faster pace so no will be several years ahead anymore. IMO a good thing if implemented well. I am surprised that a school would make a policy that caused students to repeat a math year as described above.

[Anonymous]

This was a western MCPS school...not a W cluster though...

[Anonymous]

MCPS called to say that we should have gotten a wait list letter and it's on its way. But it hasn't yet arrived. Can anyone who's on the wait list tell me what the letter says? Does it tell you where on the wait list your child is?