Which DMV school system offers the most for gifted kids?

[Anonymous]

We live in the District and have two kids. We are thinking of moving to a bigger house. We work near Farragut North and would like to keep the commute to under 45 mins. Which DMV county offers the best support for gifted students? How do I become familiar with the differences between the MoCo, Arlington, Fairfax counties and the DC school systems?

[Anonymous]

MoCo is very limited with their programs. Many kids are gifted, few get into the programs.

[Anonymous]

Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

[Anonymous]

Probably Langley

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MoCo is very limited with their programs. Many kids are gifted, few get into the programs.

But if you get a spot, they are great programs. FCPS has a much larger program but it is more like an above average program.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think your kids are gifted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

Most private schools do not want or serve gifted students. Publics are better for that.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?

MCPS has CES for ES, it branches out to humanities vs STEM for MS and HS. None of the schools are magnet only, ie, it's a magnet program within a school.
- STEM HS: Blair, Poolesville HS, Takoma Park MS, Clemente MS
- Humanities HS: Regionat IB, county wide RMIB, Poolesville, Eastern MS, King MS

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/

I'm sure FCPS has a website that explains the magnet program, but from what I understand, there is only one STEM magnet for HS, and that is TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

Most private schools do not want or serve gifted students. Publics are better for that.

I agree with this. Public school in an excellent school district would be the best option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

Public schools in Virginia are required to have advanced curriculum

[Anonymous]

Langley, McLean, Madison or Woodson pyramids in FCPS.

Personally, I would recommend Churchill Road or Chesterbrook Elementary districts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

Public schools in Virginia are required to have advanced curriculum

No. Public schools in Virginia are required to have a gifted program.

The most well-known gifted program in the DMV is AAP in FCPS. DC is in 5th grade and we are happy with the program. It's a good mix of interesting extensions, engaging curriculum, and a good cohort with experienced teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Public schools are not required by law to provide gifted education. Some of them offer it to compete with privates but there are no guarantees and the courses taught are still using the same state standards.

LOL. You are so cute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MoCo is very limited with their programs. Many kids are gifted, few get into the programs.

But if you get a spot, they are great programs. FCPS has a much larger program but it is more like an above average program.

It depends on the kid/school. We turned down a spot as another school we got into had more advanced math options and better elective choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the District and have two kids. We are thinking of moving to a bigger house. We work near Farragut North and would like to keep the commute to under 45 mins. Which DMV county offers the best support for gifted students? How do I become familiar with the differences between the MoCo, Arlington, Fairfax counties and the DC school systems?

How gifted are the kids? FCPS AAP is great for kids with IQs around 115 or 120. MoCo is better for the more highly gifted kids, assuming yours can get in. If your kids are highly gifted, they won't be adequately supported in public schools anywhere in the DC area.