New to DC, looking for a school for my "gifted" son (Kindergarten)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So he will be turning 5 in September? Isn't the cutoff Sept 30 (in VA at least). He would be enrolling in K this year normally, right? Rent something in a neighborhood with a strong elementary school and he will have a cohort of like-minded learners. You won't get an IEP in DC, VA or MD just for giftedness. If his social skills are delayed enough, he might qualify for social supports.

What's your rental budget and how big of a place do you need? That's really your starting point.

Yes, he turns 5 in mid-Sept., so we should be ok in Virginia. Maybe not in Maryland since we are not there yet to have taken the testing on time. (In the state where we thought we would be, the cut-off was August.) Apparently the IEP is portable, but the recommendations are quite vague (e.g., "would benefit from enrichment, accelerated activities, advanced materials" etc.), so no worries there. He may need social support but it isn't discussed in the plan, so I assume we would just wait to see how it goes.

Our rental budget will be stretched at $1600/ mo. until my husband finds a position, and we would like to have a 2 bedroom. I guess that is wishful thinking in the DC area!

IEPs are not portable. The child will need to be evaluated by the then current school. Fairfax won't do an IEP for enrichment purposes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:@13:09: Is it safe to assume that "Tiger Moms" are the educational equivalent to "Hockey Dads"? So many interesting new terms. Red shirt = holding a kid back a year? What is "flyover country"? I thought that referred to the midwest...

He has not been diagnosed with Asperger or anything else (though people thought he might have had it earlier on), but he does have some quirks that sometimes make socializing with young kids challenging. (I am sure he is not genius level, just extremely curious, great memory, etc. but is terrified of little kids and gets "worn out" from socializing quickly.) I am sure we will figure things out. Thanks!

"Hockey Dads" is not a common term here (never heard), so you are learning and teaching!

The term Tiger Mom came from one of Amy Chua's books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So he will be turning 5 in September? Isn't the cutoff Sept 30 (in VA at least). He would be enrolling in K this year normally, right? Rent something in a neighborhood with a strong elementary school and he will have a cohort of like-minded learners. You won't get an IEP in DC, VA or MD just for giftedness. If his social skills are delayed enough, he might qualify for social supports.

What's your rental budget and how big of a place do you need? That's really your starting point.

Yes, he turns 5 in mid-Sept., so we should be ok in Virginia. Maybe not in Maryland since we are not there yet to have taken the testing on time. (In the state where we thought we would be, the cut-off was August.) Apparently the IEP is portable, but the recommendations are quite vague (e.g., "would benefit from enrichment, accelerated activities, advanced materials" etc.), so no worries there. He may need social support but it isn't discussed in the plan, so I assume we would just wait to see how it goes.

Our rental budget will be stretched at $1600/ mo. until my husband finds a position, and we would like to have a 2 bedroom. I guess that is wishful thinking in the DC area!

IEPs are not portable. The child will need to be evaluated by the then current school. Fairfax won't do an IEP for enrichment purposes.

With due respect, I don't think that is accurate. This is what we were told when we said we would not be attending the school he was assigned to. (See answer to Question A-5) http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,dynamic,QaCorner,3, and http://osse.dc.gov/publication/proposed-individualized-education-program-iep-implementation-transfer-students-policy

From what I have read on this board (thanks to all who responded with great information!) it doesn't sound like we will need to worry about it, and it might not be relevant because of the way "disability" was defined, but it does sound like the IEP would portable until other arrangements are made.

[Anonymous]

The don't do IEPs for gifted ed here.

It would be too many kids who qualify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:@13:09: Is it safe to assume that "Tiger Moms" are the educational equivalent to "Hockey Dads"? So many interesting new terms. Red shirt = holding a kid back a year? What is "flyover country"? I thought that referred to the midwest...

He has not been diagnosed with Asperger or anything else (though people thought he might have had it earlier on), but he does have some quirks that sometimes make socializing with young kids challenging. (I am sure he is not genius level, just extremely curious, great memory, etc. but is terrified of little kids and gets "worn out" from socializing quickly.) I am sure we will figure things out. Thanks!

"Hockey Dads" is not a common term here (never heard), so you are learning and teaching!

The term Tiger Mom came from one of Amy Chua's books.

"Hockey Dad" (or Mom) can be a derogatory term used to describe parents who push their kid extremely hard to be a hockey star and are generally unpleasant to all involved in the sport (other parents, referees, other players). It is so common that in some parts of Canada all parents have to take an online course "Respect in Hockey".

[Anonymous]

Is the IEP for giftedness or something else? FCPS doesn't do IEPs for giftedness.

[Anonymous]

It does not sound like he has any social/emotional delay that would qualify him for an IEP in VA.

They will not qualify him for an IEP just for enrichment/giftedness. And I wouldn't stress about it, because if you move into a good elementary school zone, your son will have lots of similar peers and teachers are expected to differentiate.

Your real problem is your budget. $1600 is not going to get you a 2 bedroom anything in a good school district commutable to the Smithsonian. Maybe not even a one bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So he will be turning 5 in September? Isn't the cutoff Sept 30 (in VA at least). He would be enrolling in K this year normally, right? Rent something in a neighborhood with a strong elementary school and he will have a cohort of like-minded learners. You won't get an IEP in DC, VA or MD just for giftedness. If his social skills are delayed enough, he might qualify for social supports.

What's your rental budget and how big of a place do you need? That's really your starting point.

Yes, he turns 5 in mid-Sept., so we should be ok in Virginia. Maybe not in Maryland since we are not there yet to have taken the testing on time. (In the state where we thought we would be, the cut-off was August.) Apparently the IEP is portable, but the recommendations are quite vague (e.g., "would benefit from enrichment, accelerated activities, advanced materials" etc.), so no worries there. He may need social support but it isn't discussed in the plan, so I assume we would just wait to see how it goes.

Our rental budget will be stretched at $1600/ mo. until my husband finds a position, and we would like to have a 2 bedroom. I guess that is wishful thinking in the DC area!

IEPs are not portable. The child will need to be evaluated by the then current school. Fairfax won't do an IEP for enrichment purposes.

With due respect, I don't think that is accurate. This is what we were told when we said we would not be attending the school he was assigned to. (See answer to Question A-5) http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,dynamic,QaCorner,3, and http://osse.dc.gov/publication/proposed-individualized-education-program-iep-implementation-transfer-students-policy

From what I have read on this board (thanks to all who responded with great information!) it doesn't sound like we will need to worry about it, and it might not be relevant because of the way "disability" was defined, but it does sound like the IEP would portable until other arrangements are made.

DC, MD and VA public schools do not consider giftedness alone a disability meriting an IEP.

[Anonymous]

Oof, missed that your budget is $1600. Is that leaving money in your budget for private preschool/pre-K? Meaning, if you went public you could pay more for housing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving to the DC area in August and I am looking for info on where we might move to based on what might be a good school for my son. He is four (Sept birthday) but has an "individual education plan" from another state that recommends that he start school this year. (His pediatrician recommended that he get tested and he scored very highly. He is very big for his age, and can read, write, do math problems, etc., but he is not super-social, which I doubt will change radically with time.)

I don't expect we will stay in the area for more than 2-3 years. My husband and I are both laid-back, and we value living in a leafy environment (could be urban but we like to be able to walk around in an area with green space). We will be renting and don't have a huge budget. I will be working downtown (Smithsonian).

If anyone has any ideas or tips, I would be grateful.

What kind of test and what were his scores? We can tell you how normal he will be around here. School for a kid with a 170 IQ is very different than for a 140 IQ, kwim?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is moving to the DC area in August and I am looking for info on where we might move to based on what might be a good school for my son. He is four (Sept birthday) but has an "individual education plan" from another state that recommends that he start school this year. (His pediatrician recommended that he get tested and he scored very highly. He is very big for his age, and can read, write, do math problems, etc., but he is not super-social, which I doubt will change radically with time.)

I don't expect we will stay in the area for more than 2-3 years. My husband and I are both laid-back, and we value living in a leafy environment (could be urban but we like to be able to walk around in an area with green space). We will be renting and don't have a huge budget. I will be working downtown (Smithsonian).

If anyone has any ideas or tips, I would be grateful.

I think it is really interesting that the pediatrician recommended testing for him. I have to guess it is because you have an IEP as an option where you live related to enrichment. In the NVA area, no doctor would make that recommendation b/c we don't have IEPs for that purpose. We also don't have IEPs only because someone is not super social. There has to be a reason beyond that or every shy kid would qualify. In no way am I trying to dissuade you to get what services you think your child needs. I think you should also know that there are very few services available in at least Fairfax County for even a profoundly gifted child who would be 6 or 7. Your child is 4 now and you said you'd not stay in the area more than 2-3 years. There is a small amount [b]of enrichment offered in some schools for K and 1st, which is when your child would be in this area. That's the max you'd get.

[Anonymous]

The Silver Line is opening in a week. With your budget you could get a 2 br in Reston. Colvin Woods, for example, walking distance to Wiehle metro. Very leafy area with tons of trails. The schools are all fine, and tend to have smaller class sizes than the closer in communities.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? OP was asking about schools, not a critique on whether or not her son is gifted (or worse, full resumes on other kids with similar skills who would not be considered "gifted" in the elite DC environment).

OP my "gifted" son did well in early grade Montessori. He is self-directed, a bit socially anxious and immature, will tune out if he's bored. Likes structure but not being controlled. The structured, independent nature of Momtessori worked well for him- he's going into second where the school will begin the transition to a traditional classroom.

Consider Montessori- I believe there is a good one in Old Town Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

I did a quick Craigslist search for apartments near the silver line. There are decent options out there near your price point: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/4565816592.html

Most NOVA schools will be very similar for K, you almost can't go wrong. At worst he'll learn social skills at school, and you can supplement academics at home. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Much closer in, good schools. Not far from metro.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1846-Cherri-Dr_Falls-Church_VA_22043_M62050-36230?row=5