best primary/middle school for highly intelligent kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I really can never understand why there are so many people on DCUM who have nothing but nasty comments. You all do realize that there are people in the world (and in DC) who are exceptionally intelligent, right? And you also realize that their parents have to try to help them grow up well just like any other parent, in ways that are sensitive to their particular abilities and needs. So, even if I turn out to be wrong about my own child's abilities, the discussion I tried to start would be pertinent to and useful for some parents in DC. So it makes no difference whether I'm right about my own kind for purposes of this discussion. To call me arrogant, though, is really rich. Those comments are laced with condescension, whereas I was quite clearly asking for guidance on how to raise a kid who's *not* arrogant but rather comfortable in her own skin and good at getting along with others, while still being intellectually stimulated. If you post a question or comment like mine on DCUM, you get shredded for being an arrogant jerk; if you posted such a question or comment as well as a request to please not descend to a bunch of lame and nasty comments about whether I'm an arrogant jerk, as I tried to request here, you end up getting shredded for being an arrogant jerk who dared to make such a request.

Anyway, I really appreciate the posters who gave thoughtful answers to my question.

FWIW, I wish my parents had never told me my IQ scores. I would have been a happier, better adjusted child and adolescent had my parents focused on developing my EQ rather than pushing me due to my IQ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I really can never understand why there are so many people on DCUM who have nothing but nasty comments. You all do realize that there are people in the world (and in DC) who are exceptionally intelligent, right? And you also realize that their parents have to try to help them grow up well just like any other parent, in ways that are sensitive to their particular abilities and needs. So, even if I turn out to be wrong about my own child's abilities, the discussion I tried to start would be pertinent to and useful for some parents in DC. So it makes no difference whether I'm right about my own kind for purposes of this discussion. To call me arrogant, though, is really rich. Those comments are laced with condescension, whereas I was quite clearly asking for guidance on how to raise a kid who's *not* arrogant but rather comfortable in her own skin and good at getting along with others, while still being intellectually stimulated. If you post a question or comment like mine on DCUM, you get shredded for being an arrogant jerk; if you posted such a question or comment as well as a request to please not descend to a bunch of lame and nasty comments about whether I'm an arrogant jerk, as I tried to request here, you end up getting shredded for being an arrogant jerk who dared to make such a request.

Anyway, I really appreciate the posters who gave thoughtful answers to my question.

FWIW, I wish my parents had never told me my IQ scores. I would have been a happier, better adjusted child and adolescent had my parents focused on developing my EQ rather than pushing me due to my IQ.

My mom never told us, so all we knew was that it was high enough for GATE -- that 's what we called it way back when, and when folks say G&T now, I get thirsty. I won't tell my kids theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I really can never understand why there are so many people on DCUM who have nothing but nasty comments. You all do realize that there are people in the world (and in DC) who are exceptionally intelligent, right? And you also realize that their parents have to try to help them grow up well just like any other parent, in ways that are sensitive to their particular abilities and needs. So, even if I turn out to be wrong about my own child's abilities, the discussion I tried to start would be pertinent to and useful for some parents in DC. So it makes no difference whether I'm right about my own kind for purposes of this discussion. To call me arrogant, though, is really rich. Those comments are laced with condescension, whereas I was quite clearly asking for guidance on how to raise a kid who's *not* arrogant but rather comfortable in her own skin and good at getting along with others, while still being intellectually stimulated. If you post a question or comment like mine on DCUM, you get shredded for being an arrogant jerk; if you posted such a question or comment as well as a request to please not descend to a bunch of lame and nasty comments about whether I'm an arrogant jerk, as I tried to request here, you end up getting shredded for being an arrogant jerk who dared to make such a request.

Anyway, I really appreciate the posters who gave thoughtful answers to my question.

FWIW, I wish my parents had never told me my IQ scores. I would have been a happier, better adjusted child and adolescent had my parents focused on developing my EQ rather than pushing me due to my IQ.

My mom never told us, so all we knew was that it was high enough for GATE -- that 's what we called it way back when, and when folks say G&T now, I get thirsty. I won't tell my kids theirs.

I won't tell my kids theirs until they're 18. Seems to me they have a right to know at some point. But not until they're adults, more or less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A public school in an area with a high concentration of parents who are academics. Hard to say where that would be in MD. I guess somewhere near JHU.

Ha! My kids go to school with a large number of parents who are academics at JHU and those kids are smart. They make my average smart kid for DC (98/99th percentile but not profoundly gifted) seem like he is in the middle of the pack. They go to a private Baltimore area school -- I think that JHU gives some tuition help to employees.

[Anonymous]

OP sounds like my third wife.

[Anonymous]

With such führer manners, don't be surprised if no one answers your questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love who posters request information by barking out orders. Do the work for me! And justify your response!

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A public school in an area with a high concentration of parents who are academics. Hard to say where that would be in MD. I guess somewhere near JHU.

Ha! My kids go to school with a large number of parents who are academics at JHU and those kids are smart. They make my average smart kid for DC (98/99th percentile but not profoundly gifted) seem like he is in the middle of the pack. They go to a private Baltimore area school -- I think that JHU gives some tuition help to employees.

Which one? I'm from Baltimore, and I'm starting to figure out what the different niches for the different private schools are.

Sadly, JHU does not get any tuition help to employees at the pre-college level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the best primary and middle schools in DC and MD for an exceptionally intelligent kid, if the goals are to ensure that she is challenged intellectually throughout her time there (by both teachers and students) but still gets the social development needed to be well-adjusted. I don't want her to see herself as better or worse than the other kids, but also don't want her to be bored.

When answering, please indicate whether you're basing your answer on reputation, personal experience, or something else.

p.s. If you feel the need to attack a parent for thinking their kid is highly intelligent, gifted, a genius, or whatever, please start your own thread to vent and leave this one alone. If you want to stay here, just accept my premise and answer the question.

ours has 161 IQ and we picked nysmith - get's a lot of snark on dcum (as does anything related to gifted kids) - it's a pretty good school and good curriculum - kids are very happy - ignore the tour from Ken Nysmith - but the school is quite good if you can afford private tuition - if you have a public school budget the more competitive pyramids in Fairfax (Longfellow, Rachel carson, kilmer, and rocky road middle schools) will get you there especially after grade 3 when the advanced academic program starts.

More generally, like you would for any rational planning, do get you child's IQ tested (about $400-500) - if they are between 120-145 or so the usual gifted programs will be fine (that score range is about the top 10-15% of the kids in FPCS by the way and about top 5%-7% nationally and is the cut off for the advanced program offered throughout Fairfax, so they will have plenty of friends with this same level in intellectual ability as measured by IQ); if they are 145-160 etc... then you may want to do additional things over the summer - in any case, the main thing with gifted kids is to keep them challenged so that they don't give up on school and they feel "normal" by being around enough smart kids who can keep their own egos in check.

Our DS high IQ and goes to Nysmith, which has proven to be strong in math and science. Lots of snark comments here on DCUM about Nysmith, but I don't care. DS happy, well rounded, sweet and smart. Not enough good things to say, other than our commute sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the best primary and middle schools in DC and MD for an exceptionally intelligent kid, if the goals are to ensure that she is challenged intellectually throughout her time there (by both teachers and students) but still gets the social development needed to be well-adjusted. I don't want her to see herself as better or worse than the other kids, but also don't want her to be bored.

When answering, please indicate whether you're basing your answer on reputation, personal experience, or something else.

p.s. If you feel the need to attack a parent for thinking their kid is highly intelligent, gifted, a genius, or whatever, please start your own thread to vent and leave this one alone. If you want to stay here, just accept my premise and answer the question.

ours has 161 IQ and we picked nysmith - get's a lot of snark on dcum (as does anything related to gifted kids) - it's a pretty good school and good curriculum - kids are very happy - ignore the tour from Ken Nysmith - but the school is quite good if you can afford private tuition - if you have a public school budget the more competitive pyramids in Fairfax (Longfellow, Rachel carson, kilmer, and rocky road middle schools) will get you there especially after grade 3 when the advanced academic program starts.

More generally, like you would for any rational planning, do get you child's IQ tested (about $400-500) - if they are between 120-145 or so the usual gifted programs will be fine (that score range is about the top 10-15% of the kids in FPCS by the way and about top 5%-7% nationally and is the cut off for the advanced program offered throughout Fairfax, so they will have plenty of friends with this same level in intellectual ability as measured by IQ); if they are 145-160 etc... then you may want to do additional things over the summer - in any case, the main thing with gifted kids is to keep them challenged so that they don't give up on school and they feel "normal" by being around enough smart kids who can keep their own egos in check.

Our DS high IQ and goes to Nysmith, which has proven to be strong in math and science. Lots of snark comments here on DCUM about Nysmith, but I don't care. DS happy, well rounded, sweet and smart. Not enough good things to say, other than our commute sucks.

PP again. And he/she is right, ignore Ken tour. He's a dork:-OOO

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

I'm not clear: Have you had your daughter tested? Either way, matching a child to a school is a multivariate endeavor. Does for instance location matter? Many schools in the area deal with highly intelligent students. Have you started visiting schools? I think that's the best way to get a sense of them. Also, you cannot get attached to one outcome because many schools are highly selective. If you can afford it, an educational consultant might be worth the investment. Good luck finding a school.

[Anonymous]

Uhmm. No thanks. I'd rather not spend my time answering your obnoxious question. Next?

[Anonymous]

Is your child Lorde (the singer) type gifted/genius. if so, you don't need school. Just pluck a bunch of books in front of her and she'll figure life out.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in a GT program in Montgomery County. It has worked well for her to find her "people" with similar interests.

My other daughter is less academically gifted and more artistically gifted....and she will begin K in a private school where she will receive a stronger arts program.

It so much depends on the individual child. I have not at all found that teachers favor bright boys over bright girls in the public schools, as a previous poster mentioned.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I really can never understand why there are so many people on DCUM who have nothing but nasty comments. You all do realize that there are people in the world (and in DC) who are exceptionally intelligent, right? And you also realize that their parents have to try to help them grow up well just like any other parent, in ways that are sensitive to their particular abilities and needs. So, even if I turn out to be wrong about my own child's abilities, the discussion I tried to start would be pertinent to and useful for some parents in DC. So it makes no difference whether I'm right about my own kind for purposes of this discussion. To call me arrogant, though, is really rich. Those comments are laced with condescension, whereas I was quite clearly asking for guidance on how to raise a kid who's *not* arrogant but rather comfortable in her own skin and good at getting along with others, while still being intellectually stimulated. If you post a question or comment like mine on DCUM, you get shredded for being an arrogant jerk; if you posted such a question or comment as well as a request to please not descend to a bunch of lame and nasty comments about whether I'm an arrogant jerk, as I tried to request here, you end up getting shredded for being an arrogant jerk who dared to make such a request.

Anyway, I really appreciate the posters who gave thoughtful answers to my question.

FWIW, I wish my parents had never told me my IQ scores. I would have been a happier, better adjusted child and adolescent had my parents focused on developing my EQ rather than pushing me due to my IQ.

My mom never told us, so all we knew was that it was high enough for GATE -- that 's what we called it way back when, and when folks say G&T now, I get thirsty. I won't tell my kids theirs.

I won't tell my kids theirs until they're 18. Seems to me they have a right to know at some point. But not until they're adults, more or less.

why 18? why not just never bring it up, they probably won't ask...