Anonymous wrote:New to this whole process. What grade does the G&T programs start for ES? Is third grade the first year?

Testing in 3rd, program starts in 4th.

New to this whole process. What grade does the G&T programs start for ES? Is third grade the first year?

OP:

In terms of missing the deadline, just another perspective. I'm a parent of a 3rd grader who has applied to the HGC and really needs that kind of a program. All who know him agree on this. I've alternatively also applied to a private (would love to know which one you are thinking of moving away from!).

If I missed the deadline for applying for the private, do you think they should take my application late, just because I'm just learning about the program and making my decision now? As a parent, I would never expect that. Deadlines exist in life.

So why should MCPS make special exceptions for a private school parent who is starting the application process after the deadline? This does not seem equitable to me.

If it was a child moving from out of state, I could see a case for an exception. But in this case, we have plenty of kids at this high level in our area who need the program.

Just my 2 cents.

Anonymous wrote:DD is in 5th Gr. GT, and I am happy with it.

Sorry OP it is too late to apply this year. Sometime there are few spots available in 5th Gr. when some kids relocate, or go back to their home school. You can try to apply and enter in 5th Gr. next year, but I won't recommend it. Since the GT kids are put on a rigorous path, and it is simply too hard to catch up and "land safely".

It is more realistic to prepare your child to take the middle school magnet in 2 years. 4th gr. and 1st quarter of 5th gr. report card is one of the elements when applying middle school magnet. Maintaining those academic records spotless is the first step.

My dc is also in 5th grade in a HGC and I agree with this poster's advice. We have been very happy with our experience at the HGC - it is rigorous and the curriculum is very interesting and challenging. I know of two children who left after 4th grade (one moved to another state and one had a very demanding extracurricular activity) and those spots were taken in fifth grade by kids on the waiting list. Getting in off the existing waiting list does happen, but I don't think anyone tests in after the deadline. I can't remember the original post very well so forgive me if I get something wrong. If your child is a current 3rd grader, you could call them and ask if he/she can submit a late application and take the test in January. If your child is a current 4th grader, I think it is probably impossible to get in, now or next year.
The magnet programs are meant to serve the top 2-3% of students in the county but they look at more than score results especially for the middle school magnets. This is one reason why lots of children who are currently in the ES HGCs don't get admitted to the middle school magnets. Your child seems like a good candidate but it is hard to know what they weigh most in their decision. The middle school application is more involved than the ES application. You need good school grades. good teacher recs., you have to write several essays and then you take a 3-4 part exam. Go to the Takoma Park MS website to see what their math/science magnet program offers.
I will say that the HGC curriculum seems strongest in the language arts and social studies. The Math curriculum does not seem different from what dc got in our home school. The science is better but there isn't a ton of it.
You can always call your home school and find out what enrichment opportunities they could offer your child. Every school is different. The expectation is that all schools are providing "gifted" learners with differentiated instruction but since this isn't monitored by MCPS, it depends on individual schools/teachers. For example, even though MCPS makes enriched curriculum (such as William and Mary) available through AEI, not all teachers are trained to/have the inclination to use it. The great thing about the HGC is you KNOW what your child will get - it is more of a crap shoot with the home ES. For me one of the unexpected benefits about sending dc to the HGC is not having to advocate for dc anymore. If you say, my child needs more challenge, the response is usually something along the lines of, there are lots of intelligent children in our school and we serve all their needs. So then you feel you have to argue that your child needs more than they are currently getting and perhaps you offer a test score (such as the MAP-R) as evidence. It used to make me feel very uncomfortable - like I was showing off and it is very easy to dismiss our advocacy as just that. I have not had to advocate for my child once since Sept. 2011. I am already dreading middle school.
I am not going to wade into the private vs. public debate since my child has never attended a private school.
Hope this helps!

DD is in 5th Gr. GT, and I am happy with it.

Sorry OP it is too late to apply this year. Sometime there are few spots available in 5th Gr. when some kids relocate, or go back to their home school. You can try to apply and enter in 5th Gr. next year, but I won't recommend it. Since the GT kids are put on a rigorous path, and it is simply too hard to catch up and "land safely".

It is more realistic to prepare your child to take the middle school magnet in 2 years. 4th gr. and 1st quarter of 5th gr. report card is one of the elements when applying middle school magnet. Maintaining those academic records spotless is the first step.

Anonymous wrote:We've decided to move our child from his independent school to the local public next fall. I just started looking into the program, and since our kid tests in the 99.6% on all the usual assessments, I called the local school and inquired about advanced curriculum options.

I was told that we'd have to apply to have our son admitted to a Highly Gifted Center (in this case, one in Chevy Chase) but that we've missed the deadline for that. So, we'd have to start our son at a new school next fall, and then have him moved again the following year. I hate to do that to him, just because of my ignorance of how the process works.

Has anyone had their child admitted after the deadline? What's your advice? And, if we can't get him in, will there be enough opportunity in his local school to be challenged in those areas (science) where he excels?

People are denied entrance to lots of things, all the time, because of missed deadlines and/or ignorance of the process. It's unfortunate, but it is just a fact of life.

Nope. Somone (the OP) asks a question and then gets pissy b/c she doesn't like the answer. Especially weird b/c the answer essentially compliments the OP's new choice of school (MoCo) as being some of the best around. Sounds like the OP doesn't really want to go public. Hothouse flower no doubt.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is good information and I appreciate it. I wanted a realistic understanding of what to expect even if it isn't good news. Thanks to the PP who suggested the Johns Hopkins CTY program. I'll look into that. Yes, yes, I know that 99.6 is actually average among DC darlings.

To the snarky PP who says "any of these elementary schools will offer your child a more robust program than you are used to" and it "far surpasses" any local private, chip on your shoulder much? My kid has been getting an extraordinary science / STEM education since pre-K, 3 times a week. It's just not enough to justify the $30K if I can get the equivalent for free somewhere.

Lovely Op. Sorry that you don't like the answers you have gotten and that you think it is snarky, but it is pretty widely acknowledged that the HGCs in Moco offer a more robust curriculum than do the private schools at this grade level. One could argue that things level out and that privates can surpass Moco at the high school level. Weird that you are so knee-jerk in your defensiveness about the private school that, by your own admission, you are leaving in favor of a hope of admission the Moco HGC. I think you may be a hot-house-flower that needs the coddling and assistance that the private school world offers. Reality is that there are very competitive, very competent, smart students who land the spots at the HGC -- it really isn't a second choice to private school for the kids in those schools. It sounds like you want to stay at your private but just can afford it. Maybe that is why you seem so conflicted in your postings.

I'm not OP but geezy peezy. You're the one who seems like a hot house flower. Get over yourself.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is good information and I appreciate it. I wanted a realistic understanding of what to expect even if it isn't good news. Thanks to the PP who suggested the Johns Hopkins CTY program. I'll look into that. Yes, yes, I know that 99.6 is actually average among DC darlings.

To the snarky PP who says "any of these elementary schools will offer your child a more robust program than you are used to" and it "far surpasses" any local private, chip on your shoulder much? My kid has been getting an extraordinary science / STEM education since pre-K, 3 times a week. It's just not enough to justify the $30K if I can get the equivalent for free somewhere.

Lovely Op. Sorry that you don't like the answers you have gotten and that you think it is snarky, but it is pretty widely acknowledged that the HGCs in Moco offer a more robust curriculum than do the private schools at this grade level. One could argue that things level out and that privates can surpass Moco at the high school level. Weird that you are so knee-jerk in your defensiveness about the private school that, by your own admission, you are leaving in favor of a hope of admission the Moco HGC. I think you may be a hot-house-flower that needs the coddling and assistance that the private school world offers. Reality is that there are very competitive, very competent, smart students who land the spots at the HGC -- it really isn't a second choice to private school for the kids in those schools. It sounds like you want to stay at your private but just can afford it. Maybe that is why you seem so conflicted in your postings.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is good information and I appreciate it. I wanted a realistic understanding of what to expect even if it isn't good news. Thanks to the PP who suggested the Johns Hopkins CTY program. I'll look into that. Yes, yes, I know that 99.6 is actually average among DC darlings.

To the snarky PP who says "any of these elementary schools will offer your child a more robust program than you are used to" and it "far surpasses" any local private, chip on your shoulder much? My kid has been getting an extraordinary science / STEM education since pre-K, 3 times a week. It's just not enough to justify the $30K if I can get the equivalent for free somewhere.

Lovely Op. Sorry that you don't like the answers you have gotten and that you think it is snarky, but it is pretty widely acknowledged that the HGCs in Moco offer a more robust curriculum than do the private schools at this grade level. One could argue that things level out and that privates can surpass Moco at the high school level. Weird that you are so knee-jerk in your defensiveness about the private school that, by your own admission, you are leaving in favor of a hope of admission the Moco HGC. I think you may be a hot-house-flower that needs the coddling and assistance that the private school world offers. Reality is that there are very competitive, very competent, smart students who land the spots at the HGC -- it really isn't a second choice to private school for the kids in those schools. It sounds like you want to stay at your private but just can afford it. Maybe that is why you seem so conflicted in your postings.