Feynman School, which is launching this year in Darnestown, is also still accepting admissions for preschool, pre-K and kindergarten. www.feynmanschool.org.

Warmest regards,
Deborah Mersino

Anonymous wrote:Yeah but I think the big difference is that Hunter in NY is a free public school. Of course that is why so many parents apply. Not so many are going to line up to pay $20K.

For those who may be interested, Feynman School's Preschool & Pre-K fee is $12, 995; Kindergarten fee is $14,195.

Warmest regards,

Deborah Mersino
Ingeniosus
www.ingeniosus.net

In addition to tonight's (May 20th) Open House from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Darnestown campus, Feynman School will hold additional Open Houses on Wednesday, May 26th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, June 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interested parents of 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds can email info@feynmanschool for more information, call 301.873.3409 or visit www.feynmanschool.org.

Feynman School is located at 15601 Germantown Road in Darnestown, MD 20874.

Warmest regards,

Deborah Mersino
Ingeniosus
www.ingeniosus.net

Anonymous wrote:I find it amazing that all of you naysayers have so much time and attention on your hands that you garner such satisfaction in degrading a school that hasn't even opened its doors. If you have a child who taught themselves to read at 2 or 3 or has other areas of high-potential, it's understandable you would want to know that he or she will continue to derive joy and wonder from an environment well-suited to him/her.

Regarding the marketing, you can say what you will and criticize the approach, but Feynman School and its founders are simply working hard to serve a need - plain and simple. Sure, some will disagree with the early identification, but many private schools serving this population launched this way.

Here's hoping that you can simply allow parents of potential students to investigate, without blasting the good-will efforts of all of those involved out of the gate.

By the way, I thought I was logged on when I just posted. This reply (above) is mine. I've been transparent all along and want to keep it that way. To those who are grossly opposed to either the approach, label and/or other aspects, you of course are entitled to your opinion. If you have worked with this population and knew all that's gone into curriculum development and the like, though, you would see and understand why Feynman School is so arduously committed to its mission and to meeting the needs of these students.

Warmest regards,
Deborah Mersino

Great suggestion regarding Hoagies. I thought some of you might also be interested in knowing about Feynman School, a new private gifted school opening in 2010 in Darnestown. Here's a recent news announcement. Although it's offering classes for preschool through kindergarten in its inaugural year, Feynman School plans to expand in the years ahead. Twice-exceptional students need educators who understand the nuances and can accommodate their needs.

Here you go:

Feynman School Finds a Campus | Montgomery County’s new school for gifted children moving into classrooms at Seneca Academy

DARNESTOWN, MD., May 13, 2010 — Feynman School, Montgomery County’s new school for gifted children, will open its doors this fall in classrooms at Seneca Academy, 15601 Germantown Road.

Now enrolling preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes, Feynman will occupy three classrooms in Seneca’s northwest wing. The agreement allows Feynman access to Seneca’s library, grounds, play equipment, atrium and gazebo. Feynman will take occupancy July 1 while continuing a capital campaign to build its own campus.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have this space,” said Feynman School Co-founder and Director Susan Gold. “It’s a pristine setting with bright classrooms and beautiful grounds where our children can explore the natural world. We couldn’t ask for a better place to launch our school.”

Named for Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, the gifted school blends science, math, language arts, and visual and performing arts. In an innovative Spanish program developed by Georgetown University professors Alison Mackey and Cristina Sanz, children gain bilingualism, biliteracy and cross-cultural awareness.

“Over the past nine months, we researched, reviewed and interviewed almost a dozen private schools for our son, from Montessori to academy to general gifted,” said new Feynman parent Penelope Flagg of Alexandria, Va. “Only Feynman School seemed to balance intellectual and emotional growth. This school introduces a new educational paradigm to parents who won’t settle for less than the best.”

Originally, Feynman School had planned to offer only preschool and pre-kindergarten this fall. Now, in response to strong interest from parents, the school is opening a kindergarten class. Each class is limited to 14 children. Every year, the school will add a level, culminating with eighth grade.

Open houses will take place at the Darnestown campus on Sunday, May 16, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, May 20, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Interested parents of 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds should call 301-873-3409 or send an email to info@feynmanschool.org.

About Feynman School for gifted children

Feynman School is an independent, nonprofit school committed to helping gifted children grow into tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. Coeducational and nonsectarian, Feynman School seeks to identify, admit and enroll the most promising young learners regardless of ethnicity, race or socioeconomic background. Financial assistance is available. Feynman School also offers before- and after-care options. More information, including a school calendar and fees, is available at www.feynmanschool.org.

Warmest regards,

Deborah Mersino
Principal
Ingeniosus
www.ingeniosus.net

adding to above..."It's in the school's best interest - and in the best interest of all families - for Feynman School to admit those students who meet the criteria."

Anonymous wrote:And yet it isn't the Osterhoff school. And the Feynman kids didn't replicate their father's success, suggesting he was better at being a genius (and a physicist) than at producing the innovators and leaders of tomorrow (or designing schools for the gifted).

There's also the question of how and how reliably giftedness is assessed at this age. So what are the standards? The 14 smartest kids whose families apply?

(And see what I mean about spam? Hard to believe that 11:28 doesn't work for the school).

I'm not sure why you're so adamantly opposed, but you're welcome to have your opinion. I consult with gifted educators throughout the world and believe strongly in the Golds ability to succeed in providing an ideal environment for Feynman students.

There are many early indicators of giftedness in young children. Simply look at www.nagc.org and/or www.hoagiesgifted.org to read more. You're right in that formal IQ testing cannot be administered before primary grades (too unreliable); however, Feynman School has developed a specific admissions process based on best practices that allows for proper assessment (as do many private gifted schools offering preschool, pre-K and kindergarten across the country). It's in the school's best interest to admit those students who meet the criteria.

High-potential students thrive best when placed in an environment where professional educators not only understand gifted children (including asynchronous development, overexcitabilities and various learning styles and differentiated curriculum), but are committed to helping them thrive.

I don't know who 11:28 is, but I do know that Feynman School have garnered a lot of support from the gifted education community, parents and educators. I believe the positive postings simply reflect the fact that many individuals see the need for a school like this and are thrilled that its coming. Having said that, I wish you well.

Warmest regards,

Deborah Mersino

Pardon my typo above...should have read, "which celebrated questioning, discovery and an appreciation for learning about how things work in our world."

Warmest regards,
Deborah Mersino

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feynman reminds me of Nysmith -- more marketing than education.

Interesting. On what basis would you say that Feynman is more marketing than education?

Well, we could start with the fact that Feynman isn't involved and there's no indication that the education being provided mirrors how he was educated or how he taught....

I'm Deborah Mersino and I've been working with Co-founders Rob and Susan Gold of Feynman School for the past year and a half as they bring their vision for a gifted school in Montgomery County to life by building curriculum, garnering esteemed Advisory Board members, finding a campus and sharing information about their school with others. Sadly, Dr. Feynman passed away in 1988; however, the Golds actually sought and received the official blessing of Dr. Feynman's children to name their school (the first/only in the country), because they believed in the Golds' distinct vision for creating a school devoted to high-potential students that would have a science focus and celebrate curiosity. If you've ever had the distinct pleasure of listening to the Feynman lectures, you can easily see why this Nobel-Laureate was ideal inspiration for this school. The Golds feel privileged to be carrying forward a legacy of his impassioned teaching, which celebrating questioning, discovery and an innate appreciation for learning about how things work in our world.

For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to view Dr. Feynman's lectures, here's a clip, which should give you a glimpse into how Feynman School plans to nurture the curiosity of its gifted learners. Some of you may have seen this already (I've posted it on DC Urban Moms and Dads before); however, I thought I'd post it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3pYRn5j7oI. Learning can and should be fascinating.

Warmest regards,
Deborah Mersino

I see that the Web site link was not live in the last post. The Feynman School Web site can be found at www.feynmanschool.org.

Feynman School Finds a Campus | Montgomery County's new school for gifted children moving into classrooms at Seneca Academy

DARNESTOWN, MD., May 13, 2010 — Feynman School, Montgomery County’s new school for gifted children, will open its doors this fall in classrooms at Seneca Academy, 15601 Germantown Road.

Now enrolling preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes, Feynman will occupy three classrooms in Seneca’s northwest wing. The agreement allows Feynman access to Seneca’s library, grounds, play equipment, atrium and gazebo. Feynman will take occupancy July 1 while continuing a capital campaign to build its own campus.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have this space,” said Feynman School Co-founder and Director Susan Gold. “It’s a pristine setting with bright classrooms and beautiful grounds where our children can explore the natural world. We couldn’t ask for a better place to launch our school.”

Named for Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, the gifted school blends science, math, language arts, and visual and performing arts. In an innovative Spanish program developed by Georgetown University professors Alison Mackey and Cristina Sanz, children gain bilingualism, biliteracy and cross-cultural awareness.

“Over the past nine months, we researched, reviewed and interviewed almost a dozen private schools for our son, from Montessori to academy to general gifted,” said new Feynman parent Penelope Flagg of Alexandria, Va. “Only Feynman School seemed to balance intellectual and emotional growth. This school introduces a new educational paradigm to parents who won’t settle for less than the best.”

Originally, Feynman School had planned to offer only preschool and pre-kindergarten this fall. Now, in response to strong interest from parents, the school is opening a kindergarten class. Each class is limited to 14 children. Every year, the school will add a level, culminating with eighth grade.

Open houses will take place at the Darnestown campus on Sunday, May 16, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, May 20, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Interested parents of 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds should call 301-873-3409 or send an email to info@feynmanschool.org.
About Feynman School for gifted children

Feynman School is an independent, nonprofit school committed to helping gifted children grow into tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. Coeducational and nonsectarian, Feynman School seeks to identify, admit and enroll the most promising young learners regardless of ethnicity, race or socioeconomic background. Financial assistance is available. More information, including a school calendar and fees, is available at www.feynmanschool.org.