Reply to New to DC, looking for a school for my "gifted" son (Kindergarten)

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Seriously? OP was asking about schools, not a critique on whether or not her son is gifted (or worse, full resumes on other kids with similar skills who would not be considered "gifted" in the elite DC environment).

OP my "gifted" son did well in early grade Montessori. He is self-directed, a bit socially anxious and immature, will tune out if he's bored. Likes structure but not being controlled. The structured, independent nature of Momtessori worked well for him- he's going into second where the school will begin the transition to a traditional classroom.

Consider Montessori- I believe there is a good one in Old Town Alexandria. [/quote]

Yes. She did not ask that.

BUT if OP goes to any school in this area and slaps down an IEP demanding gifted services for a kindergartner or early admission if she lives in MD, for scores which are not unusual in this area, at best she is going to get her head patted as they roll their eyes at her.  She doesn't understand the system here and she doesn't understand the cohort of students and what their level is.

She has a very limited housing budget. One would hate for her to stretch herself very thinly on an uninformed assumption of the services she thinks her child will receive.

Unless the child is some profoundly gifted savant with social issues, her kids IEP is meaningless and he will not receive any more differentiation than many other kids in his class.

All of the posts are very helpful to OP and very informative. Her perception of what is available to her in terms of housing and her son in terms of gifted services is very much off base.  Even if some are a bit curt they are all very accurate and helpful.[/quote]

[quote]"...slap[ping] down an IEP demanding gifted services for a kindergartner or early admission if she lives in MD, for scores which are not unusual in this area, at best she is going to get her head patted as they roll their eyes at her."[/quote]
Seriously?  You don't have a clue. Yes, I am ignorant of the local systems and conditions; that's why I asked for help. I thank everyone who has made practical suggestions, especially about focusing our search for housing in areas of Virginia that may be affordable, suggestions for schools, and that with a September birthday he will go to kindergarten this year in Virginia and DC. [b]I am very grateful for that information![/b] But I also see that some people seem to want to put me in my place for reaching out. My kid's doctor suggested that he be assessed in the local public school system. We agreed to it. He got an IEP because that's the way it works in the state where he was tested. I now understand that they are not done in the DC area. End of story. We will find a place somewhere in Virginia or DC that we can afford and that has a well-rated school. I will show the teacher or whoever his assessment. If they want to keep an eye on him, fine. The end. [/quote]

NP here.  Sorry OP that folks appeared to come down on you heavily.  Since you're not familiar with the area, you wouldn't realize that certain things,  IEPs and AAP and giftedness, in particular push buttons around here.   One of my friends works in Special Ed for FCPS.  According to her, before the gifted program (which starts in third grade in VA) lowered its entry standards to simply advanced, a number of people sought IEPs for their kids in order to get them extra attention, time to take tests, etc.   There was the perception that the special ed designation was being abused.  I'm sure your child has documented needs, but historically that has not always been the case and in an area as crazy competitive as this one, people get bent out of shape if they feel a child gets an undeserved edge.  Crazy, I know.  But that's this area, and you and your innocent question simply got caught in the crossfire.  Good luck![/quote]

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