Highly Gifted Centers

[Anonymous]

My flyer says the students participate in an HGC classroom while the parents meet in the media center.

Are there any current or previous HGC parents out there whose child likely made the HGC program by the skin of her teeth (i.e. scored below the median in most of the testing compared to others accepted) and had either a good or difficult experience? I am a little concerned about my student being the worst student when she is used to being the top student. Thanks for your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I'm so glad for this thread! I saw everyone was getting their letters, and wondered why we hadn't. Finally my husband pointed it out it might have gone to our old address. Sure enough, I called, and they still had our old address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My flyer says the students participate in an HGC classroom while the parents meet in the media center.

Are there any current or previous HGC parents out there whose child likely made the HGC program by the skin of her teeth (i.e. scored below the median in most of the testing compared to others accepted) and had either a good or difficult experience? I am a little concerned about my student being the worst student when she is used to being the top student. Thanks for your thoughts.

How far below the median? Was it for verbal, math or not-verbal? Wondering that about my DD who was one point below the median in verbal.

[Anonymous]

Do you know how many kids are in each waitpool? What is the likelihood for the kid in a waitpool to get in?

I know that only one or two withdraw after the school starts, but maybe there are more kids who are accepted but decide not to go. If there are 10 kids in one waitpool, the committee predicts less than 10 kids will withdraw before the school starts. It seems inefficient to choose one kid from a large waitpool. Does this make sense? What do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My flyer says the students participate in an HGC classroom while the parents meet in the media center.

Are there any current or previous HGC parents out there whose child likely made the HGC program by the skin of her teeth (i.e. scored below the median in most of the testing compared to others accepted) and had either a good or difficult experience? I am a little concerned about my student being the worst student when she is used to being the top student. Thanks for your thoughts.

How far below the median? Was it for verbal, math or not-verbal? Wondering that about my DD who was one point below the median in verbal.

One point below the median? Better get her a hair net.

[Anonymous]

16:17 poster here. My child did well in the verbal portion. The question wasn't intended to compare scores. It was to assess whether the children who are not the super smartest across the board are always playing catch-up, which would be difficult for my child who isn't yet used to failure (though maybe this is a good grade to practice dealing with it). I am hoping that the environment is nurturing and simply supports a child's natural desire to do her best.

[Anonymous]

The verbal test focuses the student's vocabulary. In the center, students have tons of opportunities to build their vocabularies. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:17 poster here. My child did well in the verbal portion. The question wasn't intended to compare scores. It was to assess whether the children who are not the super smartest across the board are always playing catch-up, which would be difficult for my child who isn't yet used to failure (though maybe this is a good grade to practice dealing with it). I am hoping that the environment is nurturing and simply supports a child's natural desire to do her best.

Well, by definition half the class will score below the median on an one of the tests, so don't think that there won't be other kids there with the same scores. My daughter scored below the median on the quantitative portion. She was coming from a private that really didn't stress math and certainly didn't accelerate. The first month was pretty rough, but since then she's been near the top of her math class and getting all A's. In her case it wasn't that she wasn't capable, but that she had never been pushed to develop her skills in math. Perhaps your child is the same way? They go by more than scores; teacher recommendations count as well. Our HGC stresses that it's the effort you put in that will lead to success. IMO any kid they accept is smart enough to get through the program if they're willing to work hard. I also think it's good for smart kids to realize that there are smarter kids out there and that hard work is crucial to doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:17 poster here. My child did well in the verbal portion. The question wasn't intended to compare scores. It was to assess whether the children who are not the super smartest across the board are always playing catch-up, which would be difficult for my child who isn't yet used to failure (though maybe this is a good grade to practice dealing with it). I am hoping that the environment is nurturing and simply supports a child's natural desire to do her best.

Well, by definition half the class will score below the median on an one of the tests, so don't think that there won't be other kids there with the same scores. My daughter scored below the median on the quantitative portion. She was coming from a private that really didn't stress math and certainly didn't accelerate. The first month was pretty rough, but since then she's been near the top of her math class and getting all A's. In her case it wasn't that she wasn't capable, but that she had never been pushed to develop her skills in math. Perhaps your child is the same way? They go by more than scores; teacher recommendations count as well. Our HGC stresses that it's the effort you put in that will lead to success. IMO any kid they accept is smart enough to get through the program if they're willing to work hard. I also think it's good for smart kids to realize that there are smarter kids out there and that hard work is crucial to doing well.

well said.
Our son just got in, and I'm worried about the working-hard part. He did super well on the verbal section, but below the median on the other two. He does not push himself. School has been boring so long for him that he has adjusted. I know he would have thrived on a gifted program in first grade. But now I'm worried about his ability to work in the face of real challenge! (things have come so easy he's quick to get really frustrated if something is hard.) I am hoping that the HGC makes school work more engaging and stimulating so that his interest naturally motivates his drive to push himself. (btw, do they really give letter grades in the HGC, or by As did you just mean she's getting good grades?)

[Anonymous]

I also worry about my DC who has been bored for so long. He hasn't had to work hard for at least 2 years. Glad to hear others have the same concerns - sounds like all kids will be in the same boat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:17 poster here. My child did well in the verbal portion. The question wasn't intended to compare scores. It was to assess whether the children who are not the super smartest across the board are always playing catch-up, which would be difficult for my child who isn't yet used to failure (though maybe this is a good grade to practice dealing with it). I am hoping that the environment is nurturing and simply supports a child's natural desire to do her best.

Well, by definition half the class will score below the median on an one of the tests, so don't think that there won't be other kids there with the same scores. My daughter scored below the median on the quantitative portion. She was coming from a private that really didn't stress math and certainly didn't accelerate. The first month was pretty rough, but since then she's been near the top of her math class and getting all A's. In her case it wasn't that she wasn't capable, but that she had never been pushed to develop her skills in math. Perhaps your child is the same way? They go by more than scores; teacher recommendations count as well. Our HGC stresses that it's the effort you put in that will lead to success. IMO any kid they accept is smart enough to get through the program if they're willing to work hard. I also think it's good for smart kids to realize that there are smarter kids out there and that hard work is crucial to doing well.

well said.
Our son just got in, and I'm worried about the working-hard part. He did super well on the verbal section, but below the median on the other two. He does not push himself. School has been boring so long for him that he has adjusted. I know he would have thrived on a gifted program in first grade. But now I'm worried about his ability to work in the face of real challenge! (things have come so easy he's quick to get really frustrated if something is hard.) I am hoping that the HGC makes school work more engaging and stimulating so that his interest naturally motivates his drive to push himself. (btw, do they really give letter grades in the HGC, or by As did you just mean she's getting good grades?)

4th grade is still early enough to learn to work hard. They'll step up to the task I'm sure. And yes, my daughters HGC still gives letter grades in a lot of things (categories like math, reading etc.) The rest are O/I/S etc. Not sure if that's going to be the case next year though.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone. I do feel much better knowing my son won't be the only kid perhaps struggling with the learning process. I also glad to hear they praise and focus on effort. I wouldn't worry too much about the scores. They just need to know that they will be able to handle the pace/work.

[Anonymous]

16:17 poster again. Thank you for the last few posts. I do think many of us will be in the same boat. I now think the children's interests and inquisitiveness will help motivate each other.

Maybe grades begin in 4th for all students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also worry about my DC who has been bored for so long. He hasn't had to work hard for at least 2 years. Glad to hear others have the same concerns - sounds like all kids will be in the same boat.

That was the biggest adjustment for my DS last year...he could do all the work, but he wasn't used to such high expectations and amounts of homework. Remember that the HGCs know that it'a an adjustment for all the students, and they've defined the first 9 wks. as an adjustment period. (it was extremely hard, though, when my DS had to stay inside in Sept. + October when all of his friends were playing outside, friends from his former school would come by and want to play, he'd have to decline because of homework - but as I mentioned in an earlier post, once they learn to manage their time and assignments, they adjust and homework generally doesn't take as long as it does the first couple weeks or months.)

[Anonymous]

I assume that most accepted kids who scored below the median on one area scored above it on the others. I would e surprised if many accepted kids scored below in all thre areas.