Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I have two kids with IEPs and one overachiever. My son is really struggling in middle school. He has no interest in academics but is good at many things. I am not sure if he will pass the 7th grade. We are trying to figure out how to help him but he seems like he is giving up.

PP, hang in there. My DD has struggled in middle school too. We tried everything including extensive testing, a 504, ADHD meds, tutor, bribes, punishments, you name it. When things get tough, she just stops trying. We are finally starting to see more grit in 8th grade. It's tough to hear all the parents of her peers bragging non-stop. I'm just reminding myself that she can go to Montgomery College for 2 years and then transfer to UMD if she does well. Knowing that is an option takes some pressure off as we approach HS. I once read a post on this board where someone said "It's not where you start, it's where you end up." Very true!

I'm in this boat with you both - although DD is only in second grade. I worry a lot about how she will do as academics get tougher. She is talented in so many ways - but none of them are academics. I wish I could afford a different educational environment for her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think most Einstein parents should be speaking up.

What? So of the 5 high schools in the consortium the Einstein kids are the least superstarish? Not sure I follow your line of snark.

Seriously. I would think there are superstars and non-superstars in every school. Although I'm not sure OP has really defined what is meant by "superstar". I am assuming gifted? Advanced?

Anonymous wrote:DH and I were both tested really well from a super early age, 99th+ percentile college exams, 99th+ percentile LSATs. So far no indication that our kid will follow.

When I was pregnant I worried, worried, worried we somehow wouldn't have a great tester [b]like we were. Now I figure it'll work out one way or another.

This is what you worried about when you were pregnant?

Anonymous wrote:I would think most Einstein parents should be speaking up.

What? So of the 5 high schools in the consortium the Einstein kids are the least superstarish? Not sure I follow your line of snark.

Anonymous wrote: I have two kids with IEPs and one overachiever. My son is really struggling in middle school. He has no interest in academics but is good at many things. I am not sure if he will pass the 7th grade. We are trying to figure out how to help him but he seems like he is giving up.

PP, hang in there. My DD has struggled in middle school too. We tried everything including extensive testing, a 504, ADHD meds, tutor, bribes, punishments, you name it. When things get tough, she just stops trying. We are finally starting to see more grit in 8th grade. It's tough to hear all the parents of her peers bragging non-stop. I'm just reminding myself that she can go to Montgomery College for 2 years and then transfer to UMD if she does well. Knowing that is an option takes some pressure off as we approach HS. I once read a post on this board where someone said "It's not where you start, it's where you end up." Very true!

DH and I were both tested really well from a super early age, 99th+ percentile college exams, 99th+ percentile LSATs. So far no indication that our kid will follow.

When I was pregnant I worried, worried, worried we somehow wouldn't have a great tester like we were. Now I figure it'll work out one way or another.

I have two kids with IEPs and one overachiever. My son is really struggling in middle school. He has no interest in academics but is good at many things. I am not sure if he will pass the 7th grade. We are trying to figure out how to help him but he seems like he is giving up.

I would think most Einstein parents should be speaking up.

Anonymous wrote:My DCs are very talented, but are average academically and struggle when it comes to standardized tests. Both DH and I were late bloomers, meaning we had C/D averages in K-12, and then killed it in college, grad school, and now professionally. I gather they are on the same track.

Would love to hear experiences for those who have or had DCs in HS in the DCC that were not in any magnet programs.

Are you researching for an article? What's your objective here?

absolutely our dd is not a "superstar". she is in ES though and it sounds like you are looking for info about HS

Coming from a family of superstars, now all the kids have kids that are superstars it is really hard to have a child that does ok, but doesn't excel, in anything. He struggles with reading, writing, seems to understand math concepts and does well on homework but falls short on exams/quizzes. Has an interest in science and history, enjoys both on the home front but doesn't do well in the school environment. We have worked with him and try to to stress him with high expectations - on the other hand I'm not sure its about being a "late bloomer" he just either doesn't seem to care or just doesn't want to try. Hard to watch him fall behind his friends - even those that aren't gift/talented.

I have two non-superstars. DH & I aren't/weren't superstars either and we've done just fine in life.

What's a "superstar"? The majority of kids in MCPS aren't in any gifted/magnet programs. There are some that are super smart; some that are above average, some average, some below average. Majority are probably around average to above average (my guess). That's not "superstar" quality.

My DH was a late-ish bloomer. Didn't really start showing math aptitude till he was about 14, then he just zoomed. Got a degree in engineering. Doing well.

we limit the stress our kids are under by not worrying about a lot of things like where they will go to school and what classes they want to take.

we care more about the way they behave and treat others. If they end up homeless and poor at least they will be nice and if they end up successful and financially well off well they will be nice and rich unlike most rich people.

One of our kids is planning to go to MC for two years with eh guaranteed acceptance to the state school she wants to and then graduate and go to grad school in the field of her choice and she is very relaxed during her final years of high school because she has her plan all worked out and that makes her more pleasant to be around.

My DCs are very talented, but are average academically and struggle when it comes to standardized tests. Both DH and I were late bloomers, meaning we had C/D averages in K-12, and then killed it in college, grad school, and now professionally. I gather they are on the same track.

Would love to hear experiences for those who have or had DCs in HS in the DCC that were not in any magnet programs.