Highly Gifted designation & living abroad in 3rd grade

[Anonymous]

Hello,

This is still a couples years off, but I am planning on spending a year abroad when DS will be in 3rd grade. He seems like a bright kid and I don't want to take the opportunity of being considered for HGC away from him. Does anyone have experience with a similar situation? He will be attending a local school abroad and I will be making sure that he is on top of the MCPS curriculum. I am not sure what the HGC test is like, but is there a way to take the test say in the US embassy abroad? We could probably come back for a week, but he would not be enrolled in a MCPS. Although this is all hypothetical at this point, it takes a while to plan a year abroad, so I am just trying to gather information.

TYIA

[Anonymous]

Call MCPS main office to find out!

[Anonymous]

If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

This. What country?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

This. What country?

Germany. But I am not sure this is true. I think German curriculum starts pretty slowly and then picks up in middle/high school. If nothing else, I would have to work on English grammar and vocabulary. I cannot see it being a big deal one way or another. After all, it's 3rd grade!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call MCPS main office to find out!

Thank you. I guess this is the way to go. I just did not want to be labeled as one of those "presumptuous" moms that thinks her DC is gifted when he can start putting syllables together at age 3. I don't know if DS is gifted, I just don't want to take an opportunity away from him if he is.

[Anonymous]

There are very few gifted spots in MCPS given the number of kids who can qualify.

[Anonymous]

Having had kids in the HGC and MS magnet, I would not worry so much about HGC. The math acceleration is the same inside and outside the HGC pretty much. The reading/writing side you could supplement yourself. I thought the MS magnet experience was more formative - significantly larger peer group (100 v. 50). have had kids at both EMS and TPMS each of which is a great program in its area. MS magnet really prepares them for HS in a much better way than non-magnet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call MCPS main office to find out!

Thank you. I guess this is the way to go. I just did not want to be labeled as one of those "presumptuous" moms that thinks her DC is gifted when he can start putting syllables together at age 3. I don't know if DS is gifted, I just don't want to take an opportunity away from him if he is.

This makes sense. Plenty of parents have their kids take the test because they're bright and don't know if they are gifted or not. It's worth a shot if you can try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

This. What country?

Germany. But I am not sure this is true. I think German curriculum starts pretty slowly and then picks up in middle/high school. If nothing else, I would have to work on English grammar and vocabulary. I cannot see it being a big deal one way or another. After all, it's 3rd grade!

It's not true, and there is no gifted track at all.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I have 3 kids and can't begin to count the # of parents who have told me over the years they thought their kids would enter HGC. The vast majority didn't get in. Of those that did, I know a few parents who decided to stay with the homeschool and their kids went on to the MS magnets without issue. I don't think those kids have fared any worse than those who did HGC. One of the HGC is in our home school and it doesn't appear the math curriculum varies much. I heard writing instruction is a strong suit but one of our regular 5th grade teachers is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I have 3 kids and can't begin to count the # of parents who have told me over the years they thought their kids would enter HGC. The vast majority didn't get in. Of those that did, I know a few parents who decided to stay with the homeschool and their kids went on to the MS magnets without issue. I don't think those kids have fared any worse than those who did HGC. One of the HGC is in our home school and it doesn't appear the math curriculum varies much. I heard writing instruction is a strong suit but one of our regular 5th grade teachers is

Was trying to add that one of our regular 5th grade teachers is the strongest writing teacher I have encountered through 3 children and 4 schools. One of the HGC teachers is the worst teacher we have experienced in all our years (she moved from the regular program). I guess my point is that you have no idea whether your child will even be a candidate but even if your child is, you can get an excellent education in the regular classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

This. What country?

Germany. But I am not sure this is true. I think German curriculum starts pretty slowly and then picks up in middle/high school. If nothing else, I would have to work on English grammar and vocabulary. I cannot see it being a big deal one way or another. After all, it's 3rd grade!

It's not true, and there is no gifted track at all.

There are different skill tracks in ALL European schools in most subjects. They don't call it "gifted" because they have a different mentality and don't need to pander to American attitudes towards academic talent and how to define it.

[Anonymous]

I thought you had to have an address in Moco to apply though you could be attending private school. Might be able to test after u get here but it is harder to get a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are abroad in Europe, its likely your curriculum will be more advanced that that used by MCPS. Even in "American" schools overseas.

This. What country?

Germany. But I am not sure this is true. I think German curriculum starts pretty slowly and then picks up in middle/high school. If nothing else, I would have to work on English grammar and vocabulary. I cannot see it being a big deal one way or another. After all, it's 3rd grade!

It's not true, and there is no gifted track at all.

There are different skill tracks in ALL European schools in most subjects. They don't call it "gifted" because they have a different mentality and don't need to pander to American attitudes towards academic talent and how to define it.

Most high level students are doing algebra is 6tb grade in Europe. Honestly, living in Germany for a year and having your child have the experience of German school is much more valuable on the long run than the gifted test. I lived abroad as a kid and many of my friends never received the gifted designation because we were abroad 2nd and 3rd grade. However, every one still went to MIT and Vandy and have MD/PhDs and what not. The experience itself was transformational. But yes, call the district.