Reply to SFS, StA, GDS, Maret, & Potomac--best choice for underachieving, high-IQ kid?

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Reply to "SFS, StA, GDS, Maret, & Potomac--best choice for underachieving, high-IQ kid?"

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[quote=Anonymous]We have applied to SFS, StA, GDS, Maret, & Potomac for 6th grade and are waiting on admissions decisions (on paper he has as good a shot as any of getting in)--I'm posting now because I hope by then to have enough thoughtful replies to guide our decision. Despite his grades so far being pretty good, my son has historically underperformed in most subjects relative to his abilities, especially those subjects, in which he's not that interested. This has been due largely to severe anxiety, especially anxiety at performing on demand. He's doing much better now. That being said, his abilities in terms of doing copious amounts of schoolwork are not fully proven yet. FWIW, he excels by years in creative writing, but he's appeared "lazy" (i.e. more accurately, overwhelmed at the demand) when writing essays, doing math, etc. Mercifully, he does not compare himself to other kids. I'd be happy enough with mostly Bs, if he's happy socially, enjoying learning, and putting in a modicum of effort. My sense is that since he's bright and curious, and with maturation (i.e. finally "getting" why he needs to put effort into things), and with his anxiety treated, he will "catch fire" and want to do well. To help him succeed, I expect we will have a tutor that will sit with him for an hour or more after school to help him finish his homework.

Basically, I'm looking for a school that is inspiring and intellectually stimulating, but where he can thrive, even if he's not particularly hard-driving. [b]I know generally about the schools' reputations for academic rigor and the pressure-cooker atmosphere at the top end, but I'd like to know from parents who have kids at these schools, if it's possible to thrive and be happy at one of these schools while being more middling in drive and output.[/b] Thanks!

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