Anonymous wrote:At Feynman School the average WPPSI is approximately 140

Source for this claim?

Anonymous wrote:BTW, even 99.9 aren't really that high around here. Even if you do so well I'm surprised that there isn't a way to do even better (150+)

What is your evidence? Based on my conversations with an experienced local tester, 99.9s aren't common, even around here.

At Feynman School the average WPPSI is approximately 140, and two kindergarten students have tested into Davidson with scores significantly above 150. These students really enjoy coming to school every day as they are challenged to do their best. The school caters to young gifted students and you may want to look into it.

I would also look into programs at the CTY at Johns Hopkins, and, if you'd like to spend a week in Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary has great summer programs for young G&T kids.

Best of luck OP!

9:24, I know the qualification requirements, but you sound as if you work for them! Do you?

Privates below the top tier understand that not all 99th pctile kids will get into a top tier private, because the top schools want a broad mix of kids, not just the brainy ones, and they only have so many slots. Other privates also understand that not all 99th pctile kids want to go to a top tier private, for various personal reasons. You should be fine, especially if you make your good reason known to them -- "we like your community better than at a super-competitive school" or something like that.

Anonymous wrote:140 doesn't seem so high. I'm surprised that there weren't more kids at that level given how well everyone says their kids do. Davidson requires 150, which is a big difference.

Davidson requires 150+ on the WPSSI-III (verbal, performance or full scale) or 145+ on the WISC-IV (verbal, perceptual, general ability index, or full scale). They also have additional application possibilities: achievement tests as well as portfolios of work.

I think ds got waitlisted at 2 schools because of not a good academic fit. He scored at the top of 3 subtests--hit the ceiling. He is at Amherst school and they differentiate starting in K. He is now in 2nd. Still the smartest. Not a bad thing.

140 doesn't seem so high. I'm surprised that there weren't more kids at that level given how well everyone says their kids do. Davidson requires 150, which is a big difference.

Anonymous wrote:We have a bright, verbal kid with a sunny disposition who did really well on the WPSSI-III.

When looking at schools we have emphasized community over academics. Now I'm worried that these schools won't see us as a good fit based on the test scores.

I'm also worried I'm doing DC a disservice by not considering stronger academic program. I don't want DC to be the smartest kid in the class or the fastest learner.

(I'm totally overthinking this...)

My DC was at about 140 and there was always one or two kids on her level in each class each year. They go to great pains to "balance the class". I think Sidwell differentiates in reading and math earlier( 3rd or 4th grade) whereas most other DC privates ( usually happens in 6th or 7th grade) , but am not sure. Thee is a rub for gifted children, there are so few of them that unless you send them to a magnet MS or HS ( TPMS , Blair HS or TJ ) they will always be the brightest and you will have to wonder if they have had as many opportunities offered them as they could have used. Look into CTY at Hopkins and Davidson Institute for providing learning opportunities if your child has IQ 140 or above, has several subset scores of 18 or higher or any one subset score of 19 on the WISC IV. Best of Luck.

BTW, even 99.9 aren't really that high around here. Even if you do so well I'm surprised that there isn't a way to do even better (150+)

You shouldn't worry about what the schools will think, regardless of whether he got a 99.99999 or whatever. It may help to emphasize in your interview that your family/kid are down to earth, and you are looking for a down to earth school and a good community.

Unless your child hit the ceiling on the WPPSI and the psychologist told you personally that s/he is sorry, but there isn't a reliable instrument to measure little Frank's IQ at this age.... you're probably OK* Lots of 99s + scores in the standard 10 schools discussed on here.


* these children are 1 in 500,000 or 1,000,000 and they aren't served well anywhere in K-5, IMO.

Unless he was 99.9s, agree with PP. I think we all underestimate the % of regular 99x3s here in DC. Many, many kids do very well on the WPPSI.

Your child won't be the smartest in his class. And, yes you are overthinking this.

We have a bright, verbal kid with a sunny disposition who did really well on the WPSSI-III.

When looking at schools we have emphasized community over academics. Now I'm worried that these schools won't see us as a good fit based on the test scores.

I'm also worried I'm doing DC a disservice by not considering stronger academic program. I don't want DC to be the smartest kid in the class or the fastest learner.

(I'm totally overthinking this...)