Anonymous
03/21/2014 14:01
Subject: Clearspring HGC
13:18 - During DD's year (she's in 5th now) 5 got accepted, 4 chose to go.
Anonymous
03/21/2014 13:25
Subject: Re:Clearspring HGC
Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for responding!
I haven't told DS yet, as I think he will be scared at the thought of having to change schools. He is very outgoing though, so I am sure that won't be a problem once he's there. I am really hoping the open house gets him excited. Was your experience that most kids came in with groups of kids that they already knew from their home schools?
Our home school starts at 8:40 and from this year's bus schedule, it looks like it might only be 20 minutes earlier than when he is used to. But when I talked to people at our school, they kept emphasizing that it was a longer day due to the bus ride. DS is used to being at aftercare until 6 though, so I don't think that will be too difficult for him. Any clue what other families have worked out for aftercare?
Are you saying the majority of the homework load is long term projects? How much math or other nightly homework do they get that isn't project related? Are the projects something they are supposed to spend a couple hours each weekend working on or more? DS hasn't had to do many long term projects that weren't done mainly in class yet, so I don't have much to compare it to. Also, I had heard that they do a lot to help kids with organization. I am really hoping that is the case! DS is going to need help staying organized. Remembering to bring home the work and what the tasks are will be his biggest problem. But that is great news that the teachers send frequent emails!
Do not worry at all. The kids are awesome, friendly and very engaged. Most of them are outgoing and very social. They will split up the kids from the same neighborhood or same school in different classrooms, so most kids will not know each other. But, really a great group of teachers and they will ease the transition of your child.
There is some daily homework, but not a lot. The projects are broken down and explained. So, the first assignment of the project would be - research and cite sources, the second assignment would be to make an outline of the presentation, the third assignment would be to work on the PPT in class the fourth would be to add relevant images, the fifth would be to present in front of the class with notecards ...so on and so forth. They teach all that. I think that is the biggest benefit of the HGC program. They teach them organization and time and project management - at school. You as a parent can discuss and suggest and maybe proof read if you want...but essentially they end up working on their own. Yes, once in a while, you may need to step in, but it is not all the time. You will be amazed at how self sufficient they become after the first quarter.
Anonymous
03/21/2014 13:18
Subject: Re:Clearspring HGC
13:14 - How many kids got into Clearspring with your DD from her home school?
Anonymous
03/21/2014 13:14
Subject: Clearspring HGC
DD kept her home school friends who also went to Clearspring (they coincidentally or not were mainly the friends she had at the homeschool). She also made a number of other close new friends.
The majority of homework is project related. The teachers are great about helping to set up a schedule and breaking a project down into smaller bits.
The majority of homework is project related. The teachers are great about helping to set up a schedule and breaking a project down into smaller bits.
Anonymous
03/21/2014 12:54
Subject: Re:Clearspring HGC
Thank you so much for responding!
I haven't told DS yet, as I think he will be scared at the thought of having to change schools. He is very outgoing though, so I am sure that won't be a problem once he's there. I am really hoping the open house gets him excited. Was your experience that most kids came in with groups of kids that they already knew from their home schools?
Our home school starts at 8:40 and from this year's bus schedule, it looks like it might only be 20 minutes earlier than when he is used to. But when I talked to people at our school, they kept emphasizing that it was a longer day due to the bus ride. DS is used to being at aftercare until 6 though, so I don't think that will be too difficult for him. Any clue what other families have worked out for aftercare?
Are you saying the majority of the homework load is long term projects? How much math or other nightly homework do they get that isn't project related? Are the projects something they are supposed to spend a couple hours each weekend working on or more? DS hasn't had to do many long term projects that weren't done mainly in class yet, so I don't have much to compare it to. Also, I had heard that they do a lot to help kids with organization. I am really hoping that is the case! DS is going to need help staying organized. Remembering to bring home the work and what the tasks are will be his biggest problem. But that is great news that the teachers send frequent emails!
I haven't told DS yet, as I think he will be scared at the thought of having to change schools. He is very outgoing though, so I am sure that won't be a problem once he's there. I am really hoping the open house gets him excited. Was your experience that most kids came in with groups of kids that they already knew from their home schools?
Our home school starts at 8:40 and from this year's bus schedule, it looks like it might only be 20 minutes earlier than when he is used to. But when I talked to people at our school, they kept emphasizing that it was a longer day due to the bus ride. DS is used to being at aftercare until 6 though, so I don't think that will be too difficult for him. Any clue what other families have worked out for aftercare?
Are you saying the majority of the homework load is long term projects? How much math or other nightly homework do they get that isn't project related? Are the projects something they are supposed to spend a couple hours each weekend working on or more? DS hasn't had to do many long term projects that weren't done mainly in class yet, so I don't have much to compare it to. Also, I had heard that they do a lot to help kids with organization. I am really hoping that is the case! DS is going to need help staying organized. Remembering to bring home the work and what the tasks are will be his biggest problem. But that is great news that the teachers send frequent emails!
Anonymous
03/21/2014 12:48
Subject: Clearspring HGC
Insider tip -
They don't tell you this, but start collecting clear plastic 1 liter soda bottles with their caps intact. In fact, raid your neighbors recycling bins. Rinse with water, but do not use soap. You will be a hero in the eyes of the 4th grade HGC teachers when the new session starts.
They don't tell you this, but start collecting clear plastic 1 liter soda bottles with their caps intact. In fact, raid your neighbors recycling bins. Rinse with water, but do not use soap. You will be a hero in the eyes of the 4th grade HGC teachers when the new session starts.
Anonymous
03/21/2014 12:47
Subject: Clearspring HGC
Agree with the pp.
Welcome to the CLES community.
It is quite a well run center. Very experienced teachers. DC in Clearspring ES. 4th grade. LOVE the program and love how well the kids get along with each other.
Work load is not crazy. It is absolutely doable. The teachers send a daily email to the parents about the homework, and big projects are broken down into small bits. They really teach time management and project management skills.
They do a fair amount of typing, My son mostly use Word and Powerpoint for his projects.
Kids learn to do some work in advance (like Wordly Wise), some do easier homework on the bus-ride home.
My son does other activities outside of school. That means that 2 days and 1 weekend, he has no time to do homework. He is still able to finish his homework, because wok is handed out in advance. He has on occasion goofed up and had to do a late night or two and we had to step in to type for him. But in the end - lesson learned and he has become more aware of what is on his plate.
You will love the experience.
Welcome to the CLES community.
It is quite a well run center. Very experienced teachers. DC in Clearspring ES. 4th grade. LOVE the program and love how well the kids get along with each other.
Work load is not crazy. It is absolutely doable. The teachers send a daily email to the parents about the homework, and big projects are broken down into small bits. They really teach time management and project management skills.
They do a fair amount of typing, My son mostly use Word and Powerpoint for his projects.
Kids learn to do some work in advance (like Wordly Wise), some do easier homework on the bus-ride home.
My son does other activities outside of school. That means that 2 days and 1 weekend, he has no time to do homework. He is still able to finish his homework, because wok is handed out in advance. He has on occasion goofed up and had to do a late night or two and we had to step in to type for him. But in the end - lesson learned and he has become more aware of what is on his plate.
You will love the experience.
Anonymous
03/21/2014 12:16
Subject: Clearspring HGC
Current Clearspring 5th grade parent. First - I love the program. The teachers at Clearspring, both grades, are great!
The program was great for DD - she has many more friends and finally enjoys school.
Homework could vary - being project based, it is what you put into it. DD put a lot into it. With a rubric scoring method, that might not have been necessary. While all the kids are above grade level, there's a range of motivation and ability in the HGC. I don't think many actually struggled, though.
The projects and field trips were great.
The bus didn't drastically extend the day - although we're only three elementary schools away. Clearspring is an earlier start than our home school. So, DD gets on the bus at 8:15 (about 45 minutes before she would have otherwise. Good practice for middle school) She gets off the bus at 3:20, and her home school dismisses at 3:30. When I pick her up, she's home before she would have before. Definitely doable.
Any specific questions? Our experiences were very positive and I'd do it again. Care to divulge your home school?
The program was great for DD - she has many more friends and finally enjoys school.
Homework could vary - being project based, it is what you put into it. DD put a lot into it. With a rubric scoring method, that might not have been necessary. While all the kids are above grade level, there's a range of motivation and ability in the HGC. I don't think many actually struggled, though.
The projects and field trips were great.
The bus didn't drastically extend the day - although we're only three elementary schools away. Clearspring is an earlier start than our home school. So, DD gets on the bus at 8:15 (about 45 minutes before she would have otherwise. Good practice for middle school) She gets off the bus at 3:20, and her home school dismisses at 3:30. When I pick her up, she's home before she would have before. Definitely doable.
Any specific questions? Our experiences were very positive and I'd do it again. Care to divulge your home school?
Anonymous
03/21/2014 11:57
Subject: Clearspring HGC
If anyone currently has a child at Clearspring HGC, could you please share your experiences? How much homework do they usually have? Have you or your child noticed any classmates that are struggling? From looking at the back to school night slides from this current year, it sounds like they do a lot of interesting projects and field trips. If your child takes the bus, has it drastically extended their school day?
The open house isn't until April 1st, so I was just hoping to get as much information ahead of time as I could.
Thank you!
The open house isn't until April 1st, so I was just hoping to get as much information ahead of time as I could.
Thank you!