Are HGC centers worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people think HGC is worth if for a "math" kid that is in the top reading group but does not particularly enjoy writing?

Why wouldn't it be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do people think HGC is worth if for a "math" kid that is in the top reading group but does not particularly enjoy writing?

The teacher my daughter had at the HGC said that most of the kids coming in did not like to write. My daughter certainly didn't. She learned to like it by the end of 4th, and her writing skills improved dramatically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No..we were told about 1/2 the kids from HGC end up at the magnets. I assume that is pretty close to the number who applied.

Actually, in DC's HGC class a few years ago there were many kids who applied and didn't get in.

I don't have exact numbers but out of 50 kids in the program, I know 7 - 10 who didn't get in, and another 20 or so who didn't apply at all. Now, some of the ones who didn't get in may be because they only applied to Takoma Park. These would be kids who wanted to do math but weren't interesting in all the writing, etc. involved in the Humanities program. Some kids got both, and some only got one or the other.

[Anonymous]

At our visit day, we were told by the principal that the enrichment part of the curriculum is very writing heavy. We were told if your child was very math focused, you needed to be aware of what you were getting into. The math curriculum is the same other schools. In the past there was extra acceleration but that ended with this past school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No..we were told about 1/2 the kids from HGC end up at the magnets. I assume that is pretty close to the number who applied.

Anecdotally that sounds about right to me. Most apply and about half (or fewer) are admitted.

[Anonymous]

No..I did not mean most apply. About 1/2 apply and most of the applications are accepted. Though that probably depends on where you are. We are distant from any of the centers and that deters many families. None of DD close friends applied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No..I did not mean most apply. About 1/2 apply and most of the applications are accepted. Though that probably depends on where you are. We are distant from any of the centers and that deters many families. None of DD close friends applied.

Not my experience/observation.

[Anonymous]

I think there is never any harm in applying to MS magnets (both programs) for a HGC student - just to see if you can make it. Once you get in you can always decide not to go...

Maybe some people pretend that they did not apply when they fail to get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:]

I'm the PP who asked the question. Is middle school HCG the same as middle school magnet programs? I admit, we have time, but I do need to start doing more research on this for my DD.

That's what I call the MS magnet. Maybe it is improper terminology. Roberto Clemente, Takoma Park and Eastern are the 3 magnets I am talking about. Parkland is also a magnet specializing in Aeronautics and is a cool program - that's by lottery.

You are the only one in the world who calls the MCPS MS magnets the "middle school HGC."

I thought I should use the correct terminology, but then I realized it will be such fun to irritate your wrinkled white face if I continue to use the incorrect term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do people think HGC is worth if for a "math" kid that is in the top reading group but does not particularly enjoy writing?

Why wouldn't it be?

I really think that it will be helpful because it will round off your kid. It will be helpful when your kid will go to higher grades where good writing is a necessity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there is never any harm in applying to MS magnets (both programs) for a HGC student - just to see if you can make it. Once you get in you can always decide not to go...

Maybe some people pretend that they did not apply when they fail to get in.

Applying to the Middle school magnets is not trivial..test..writing samples..recommendations. Since we knew it was not something we were interested in, it seemed ridiculous to ask my child to go through all that.

[Anonymous]

After the HGC center for elementary, we won't apply our DC to the magnet but will apply to private schools. I think a center student would be well received by the private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is never any harm in applying to MS magnets (both programs) for a HGC student - just to see if you can make it. Once you get in you can always decide not to go...

Maybe some people pretend that they did not apply when they fail to get in.

Applying to the Middle school magnets is not trivial..test..writing samples..recommendations. Since we knew it was not something we were interested in, it seemed ridiculous to ask my child to go through all that.

Maybe.

I would make them apply just so that they know where they stand. AND - if they do not get in, I would try to find where the deficiencies were so that they can be corrected in subsequent years. They will have to be applying in college anyways - I think it is great practice as well as a litmus test of your child's strengths and weaknesses. An HGC education should have prepared your child to take such challenges in stride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is never any harm in applying to MS magnets (both programs) for a HGC student - just to see if you can make it. Once you get in you can always decide not to go...

Maybe some people pretend that they did not apply when they fail to get in.

Applying to the Middle school magnets is not trivial..test..writing samples..recommendations. Since we knew it was not something we were interested in, it seemed ridiculous to ask my child to go through all that.

Maybe.

I would make them apply just so that they know where they stand. AND - if they do not get in, I would try to find where the deficiencies were so that they can be corrected in subsequent years. They will have to be applying in college anyways - I think it is great practice as well as a litmus test of your child's strengths and weaknesses. An HGC education should have prepared your child to take such challenges in stride.

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there is never any harm in applying to MS magnets (both programs) for a HGC student - just to see if you can make it. Once you get in you can always decide not to go...

Maybe some people pretend that they did not apply when they fail to get in.

Applying to the Middle school magnets is not trivial..test..writing samples..recommendations. Since we knew it was not something we were interested in, it seemed ridiculous to ask my child to go through all that.

Maybe.

I would make them apply just so that they know where they stand. AND - if they do not get in, I would try to find where the deficiencies were so that they can be corrected in subsequent years. They will have to be applying in college anyways - I think it is great practice as well as a litmus test of your child's strengths and weaknesses. An HGC education should have prepared your child to take such challenges in stride.

Agreed.

I hope this doesn't come out harsh, but this demonstrates a lack of understanding of what an HCG is (or should be, at least). This isn't a dry run for collegel applications, it's an attempt to provide an appropriate education to kids with different needs. Parents know it when their kids need the HCG. It's a lifeline for many kids.