Are HGC centers worth it?

[Anonymous]

HCG = human chorionic gonadotropin.
HGC = Highly Gifted Center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you who say the HGC was a 'life changer' for your child, what did you choose for MS & HS? And, if you chose the magnets, were you even remotely close to them? Or did you just 'bite the bullet' on a long commute both directions daily for 7 years for your child because it was a better academic match. If you returned to your district schools, were your child's needs still met there?

just so you know....the Middle School and High School magnets are not automatic for HCG students or anyone, for that matter. It's a separate application process during 5th grade for Middle, and very competitive. A significant number of HCG students DON'T get in the MS magnet, and then return to the home middle school or evaluate other options. And high school magnets are again a separate process, so if your kid is in 3rd grade, you can't assume he/she will be in Magnets through high school.

Thanks for this clarification...and, yes, I realize the future applications are not guaranteed ..or even probable for HGC kids. The percentages get harder and harder at each step, the measurement criteria are different and children develop and change over time - both academically and socially.

That said, for families where HGC truly was a 'life changer' for a child, I suspect those kids might be more likely to be in the categories of (1) really having a need for more than a regular honors/AP pathway (2) thriving at the HGC relative to their HGC peers and, therefore, (3) more likely to be accepted to MS magnet. This may not be the case for all 'life changer' kids at HGCs - but my question was wide open for any 'life changer' familiy to say 'No, we did not choose MS or HS magnet because our child was not accepted"

Thanks to all for your replies

[Anonymous]

Most parents whose kids go to HGC, will not say that their child is highly gifted. It's because they know that it is hard work that got them there. 95% of HGC kids fall in that category. There may be some genuine outliers but for most it is hard work and work ethic

This truly shows how little this poster understands about the gifted mindset. My daughter is gifted in math, WITHOUT any extra instruction, she test and performs 2 grade levels above. She constantly asks questions and I never have to explain anything twice to her. I also work with children in my profession and can see how she is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Most parents whose kids go to HGC, will not say that their child is highly gifted. It's because they know that it is hard work that got them there. 95% of HGC kids fall in that category. There may be some genuine outliers but for most it is hard work and work ethic

This truly shows how little this poster understands about the gifted mindset. My daughter is gifted in math, WITHOUT any extra instruction, she test and performs 2 grade levels above. She constantly asks questions and I never have to explain anything twice to her. I also work with children in my profession and can see how she is different.

Bet you are white! My kid this, my kid that - hallmark of a white parent!

[Anonymous]

1/3 of my sons elementary school class was 2 years ahead in math (pre 2.0 and not at a HGC)..so I can't say I would call that gifted. The 1 child who was 3 years ahead..he stood out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Most parents whose kids go to HGC, will not say that their child is highly gifted. It's because they know that it is hard work that got them there. 95% of HGC kids fall in that category. There may be some genuine outliers but for most it is hard work and work ethic

This truly shows how little this poster understands about the gifted mindset. My daughter is gifted in math, WITHOUT any extra instruction, she test and performs 2 grade levels above. She constantly asks questions and I never have to explain anything twice to her. I also work with children in my profession and can see how she is different.

Parent of a 5th grader in an HGC. I agree with this. Giftedness is a different wiring of the brain. You can also be just plain smart, and work hard. All can be found at the HGC's Personally, I think giftedness needs a new name, to truly convey what it is. For us, the center was a godsend. Our daughter is with her peers, for once in her life is not an outsider, has friends, and is enthused about school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most parents whose kids go to HGC, will not say that their child is highly gifted. It's because they know that it is hard work that got them there. 95% of HGC kids fall in that category. There may be some genuine outliers but for most it is hard work and work ethic

This truly shows how little this poster understands about the gifted mindset. My daughter is gifted in math, WITHOUT any extra instruction, she test and performs 2 grade levels above. She constantly asks questions and I never have to explain anything twice to her. I also work with children in my profession and can see how she is different.

Parent of a 5th grader in an HGC. I agree with this. Giftedness is a different wiring of the brain. You can also be just plain smart, and work hard. All can be found at the HGC's Personally, I think giftedness needs a new name, to truly convey what it is. For us, the center was a godsend. Our daughter is with her peers, for once in her life is not an outsider, has friends, and is enthused about school.

Gifted is very over-used and abused word among HGC and Magnet parents.

Maybe because I am Asian and every single of my friend's kids have gone through HGC and Magnet program - that I recognize it for an enriched curriculum for bright kids - if I tell my friends that my kids are "gifted" they will laugh at me. I have currently kids in both the HGC and Magnet programs. They have always scored very well in IQ tests and other tests etc, they are thriving in the school. I will say that they are bright kids - I will not say that they are "Gifted". Other parents should not be intimidated into thinking that these kids are some "freaks of nature" who have an innately superior brain. My kids were and are exposed to books and enrichment opportunities all the time at home and outside of home - and being bright they were able to assimilate this knowledge.

If these kids are such geniuses then each of them should make it to the middle school magnet program...but they don't. Why? Because there are other bright kids in MCPS who go to regular school.

So, dear OP...please apply. There is no harm in trying. HGC are worth it for some parents and kids. Most students who get into this program seem to enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you have made up your mind, your gut says don't do it and you are probably correct.
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important. Especially for a girl. The disruption could cause more harm than good. Don't get caught up inthe race to nowhere.
One of my friend's DC was in HGC and can not solve math problems any better than my DC. Their SATs were the same (my DC a bit better), and I bet college acceptance will be similar. My DC did not get into HGC, but we truly did not even try. The only difference between teh two is that my friends DC has a smugness about him that has lasted since they got into that program. It is sad, and many parents talk about how arrogant she and her child are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important. Especially for a girl.

Why?

[Anonymous]

Arrogance should not be associated with the HGC. That's just child-specific. I know plenty of middle schoolers who were served well by the program and who are not arrogant.

I've got a 4th grader who started in a center program this year. It is truly the first year in his entire MCPS education that he's happy and likes school.

This is why some children need the HGC. I'm just sad that it only lasts for 2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you have made up your mind, your gut says don't do it and you are probably correct.
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important. Especially for a girl. The disruption could cause more harm than good. Don't get caught up inthe race to nowhere.
One of my friend's DC was in HGC and can not solve math problems any better than my DC. Their SATs were the same (my DC a bit better), and I bet college acceptance will be similar. My DC did not get into HGC, but we truly did not even try. The only difference between teh two is that my friends DC has a smugness about him that has lasted since they got into that program. It is sad, and many parents talk about how arrogant she and her child are.

This is really a bizzar statement... On what basis? So, you are saying if a girl goes to a HGC, her social life will be damaged compared with other girls at home school? Disruption? Huh??? I am curious why you think like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, it sounds like you have made up your mind, your gut says don't do it and you are probably correct.
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important. Especially for a girl. The disruption could cause more harm than good. Don't get caught up inthe race to nowhere.
One of my friend's DC was in HGC and can not solve math problems any better than my DC. Their SATs were the same (my DC a bit better), and I bet college acceptance will be similar. My DC did not get into HGC, but we truly did not even try. The only difference between teh two is that my friends DC has a smugness about him that has lasted since they got into that program. It is sad, and many parents talk about how arrogant she and her child are.

Doll, you're the one who sounds caught up in the race to nowhere! Your post actively compares your child to a friend's child (bad enough!). Then you note their SAT scores, sure to tell us that your kid did better (gold star for you!) and then you go on the "bet" that their college acceptances will be similar. In addition, you say that your kid didn't get in to HGC but that you "truly did not even try." Hmmm, there really weren't standards for really trying - either your kid took the test or didn't. There wasn't some extra level of trying. It sounds like your kid didn't get in and you are defensive about that and have decided to slam the program and, worse, your friend's kid. YOU, my dear, are the freak here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important.

I agree that the social aspect of life is particularly important (though I don't think it's more important for girls). In our case, DD could really thrive socially at the HGC because she was surrounded by other very smart girls who were interested in the same sorts of questions that she was. So many girls end up playing dumb for the sake of popularity (especially a little later in school). It was fabulous for her to have strong social experiences in 4th and 5th grade. (And I'll note that the school played a role here, too--her HGC valued both academic achievement and social development.)

As for social disruption--yes, if a child moves to a new school, it is harder to see old friends from the previous school. However, it is possible to keep those connections that are important, through extracurriculars and playdates. Leaving one school does not have to mean complete social disruption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important.

I agree that the social aspect of life is particularly important (though I don't think it's more important for girls). In our case, DD could really thrive socially at the HGC because she was surrounded by other very smart girls who were interested in the same sorts of questions that she was. So many girls end up playing dumb for the sake of popularity (especially a little later in school). It was fabulous for her to have strong social experiences in 4th and 5th grade. (And I'll note that the school played a role here, too--her HGC valued both academic achievement and social development.)

As for social disruption--yes, if a child moves to a new school, it is harder to see old friends from the previous school. However, it is possible to keep those connections that are important, through extracurriculars and playdates. Leaving one school does not have to mean complete social disruption.

Boys can get away with a lot more sh-t than girls, let's be real here. At the end of the day, the obnoxious, arrogant, weirdo man still gets a wife, a job, and even friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
At the end of the day, the SOCIAL aspect of a child's development is MOST important.

I agree that the social aspect of life is particularly important (though I don't think it's more important for girls). In our case, DD could really thrive socially at the HGC because she was surrounded by other very smart girls who were interested in the same sorts of questions that she was. So many girls end up playing dumb for the sake of popularity (especially a little later in school). It was fabulous for her to have strong social experiences in 4th and 5th grade. (And I'll note that the school played a role here, too--her HGC valued both academic achievement and social development.)

As for social disruption--yes, if a child moves to a new school, it is harder to see old friends from the previous school. However, it is possible to keep those connections that are important, through extracurriculars and playdates. Leaving one school does not have to mean complete social disruption.

Boys can get away with a lot more sh-t than girls, let's be real here. At the end of the day, the obnoxious, arrogant, weirdo man still gets a wife, a job, and even friends.

Yearh, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.