Anonymous wrote:PP again - also the HGC is at a much larger school than our home school.

And did you go to your Open House? Lots of parents expressed similar concerns so it is not an unusual concern.

My kids both went to the HGC.

It is dramatic. Maybe you don't think so now, but give it a few years and you'll see - dramatic.

PP again - also the HGC is at a much larger school than our home school.

And did you go to your Open House? Lots of parents expressed similar concerns so it is not an unusual concern.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We are accepting our slot and planning to send our kid. We can give up the seat later if minds change over the next couple months.

We're trading community for academic acceleration. I'm not sure this is the right trade-off.

I never felt that we were making that tradeoff.

Really, isn't this a bit dramatic?

Not the PP but I don't think it's dramatic at all.

We've been at our home school for 4 years now and it's a nice community. Younger DD is also starting at that school next year so we've gotten to know many parents and kids. Starting over at a new school for only 2 years is tough. New activities, new kids. It's a trade off for sure.

Doesn't seem dramatic to me. To uproot my child from the neighborhood school he loves and where I'm involved in the PTA and where sibling goes so he can get a "better" education. Why can't he get that at his school?

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We are accepting our slot and planning to send our kid. We can give up the seat later if minds change over the next couple months.

We're trading community for academic acceleration. I'm not sure this is the right trade-off.

I never felt that we were making that tradeoff.

Really, isn't this a bit dramatic?

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. We are accepting our slot and planning to send our kid. We can give up the seat later if minds change over the next couple months.

We're trading community for academic acceleration. I'm not sure this is the right trade-off.

It's ridiculous that an 8 year old has to make this trade off in order to be appropriately challenged at school.

We're accepting as well. Although it was a tough choice, DC is very excited about the accelerated curriculum, the excellent center teachers and peer group. I understand the decision may be tough for some, particularly where long commutes and a move from a home school are involved. We are fortunate that the HGC is at our home school, but still worry DC may feel a bit isolated from his current group of friends. We figure that's what weekends and afterschool activities are for, and we've already met several 4th grade HGC families whose kids have successfully navigated the same issue. Plus, we are encouraged by the level of integration with the regular program that we heard exists at our school.

Good luck to all facing the decision. It's undoubtedly a tough one, but we're excited for what the next couple of years have in store for DC, and very happy to see he's excited to tackle the challenge of accelerated work head on. Sincerely hoping that willingness to take risks, even if they mean he won't always be at the top of the heap, serve him well for the next two years and throughout life.

I hear you, OP. We are accepting our slot and planning to send our kid. We can give up the seat later if minds change over the next couple months.

We're trading community for academic acceleration. I'm not sure this is the right trade-off.

DD does not want to go, cries at the mere mention of it. So we are struggling with the decision.

First tell them they can achieve anything, then trash their wings.

Hope is not a plan.

No way! Our K-2 experience has been less than stellar. Looking forward to a challenge for DD. Fingers crossed.

OP here -- Whitman cluster

We are still thinking about it. DS wants to go, but we are just not sure with all the logistics. What cluster are you in OP?

Just curious. We're turning ours down although I hope I don't regret. Bus ride too far and child really happy at our school. Hope DC gets enough challenge next year...
Others?