I'd say give it a shot regardless. It might be that a challenging workload might be all the motivation necessary.

That being said, I was talking with another parent at the open house and she said her son was having a tough go at it because he tends to procrastinate and the pace the class moves at is more than he is used to. If kids get behind on homework they can stay in at recess to complete it, but she said the effect is starting to snowball and her son is getting more and more frustrated. Which, of course, isn't helping his procrastination.

Private school. Small classes, more attention, develop good life habits, org skills, time Mgmt, go deep in some areas, everyone does sports.

Maybe the county can bus him to the school of his choice. Maybe that would suddenly motivate him to apply himself.

Or, you could sit with him one weekend and come up with three life goals and have him present you his plan next month, for how he will achieve them.

Btw, what's dad doing in this situation?

Just speaking of what I've seen from my friend's child. My friend has a child with an IEP for ADHD. I wouldn't call him unmotivated but he has a really hard time focusing and on numerous times have been very disruptive in class. Bright kid though- and was accepted at an HGC.
It was however not successful as he continued to be disruptive to the HGC classroom. Parent eventually pulled him out and placed him in private. Doing much much better there.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the above. Why the heck should a child that doesn't care about school be given a prized spot at an HGC? Would suggest that OP goes to a private school that can help a boy that doesn't really care about much of anything, and allow his spot to go to a boy or girl that would die for a chance.

Because the people who make the admissions decisions (who are not you, me, or the OP) decided that the child met the criteria for admission.

It's the Center for Enriched Studies, not the Center for Highly Motivated Children.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was merely asking if HGC was a possibility for a kid like him. It's frustrating being the parent of an unmotivated kid, but it's still my job to find him the best and most appropriate education. I can appreciate that other posters are trying to do the exact same for their motivated children. That said, there are unmotivated people in all walks of life... elite colleges, companies, etc. Your kids will have to work with or around them in many other settings. My hope is that he finds his motivation. He is enrolled in other enrichment activities and is very motivated there, but of course no one can predict whether an HGC would solve the problem. And again, my question was whether kids like this ever get into an HGC. I'm not saying I'm sending him or that he deserves a spot more than any other child. I assure you that no one who knows him thinks he's a "ratty snot".

In the past - yes.

However, remember that the admissions process is different this year. It seems to me that the removal of the teacher recommendations might actually increase the chances of an unmotivated kid getting in. But nobody knows.

I agree with the above. Why the heck should a child that doesn't care about school be given a prized spot at an HGC? Would suggest that OP goes to a private school that can help a boy that doesn't really care about much of anything, and allow his spot to go to a boy or girl that would die for a chance.

OP here. I was merely asking if HGC was a possibility for a kid like him. It's frustrating being the parent of an unmotivated kid, but it's still my job to find him the best and most appropriate education. I can appreciate that other posters are trying to do the exact same for their motivated children. That said, there are unmotivated people in all walks of life... elite colleges, companies, etc. Your kids will have to work with or around them in many other settings. My hope is that he finds his motivation. He is enrolled in other enrichment activities and is very motivated there, but of course no one can predict whether an HGC would solve the problem. And again, my question was whether kids like this ever get into an HGC. I'm not saying I'm sending him or that he deserves a spot more than any other child. I assure you that no one who knows him thinks he's a "ratty snot".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is he stronger at math or language arts? The HGC program favors kids who are strong in LA

I would disagree. My kid is awesome at math, but a terrible writer. The HGC helped him a ton last year with his writing. And, there were a good number of other kids who were also great at math.

I was just repeating what they said at the information session in the spring. I'm glad to hear that! I thought it was quite unfair to favor one academic strength over the other.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be damned if some unmotivated, ratty snot gets a spot when there are other kids who would love to go. OP, keep your kid at your home school and leave the magnets for motivated students.

PP, you do realize you are talking about an actual 7-8 year old child, right? This forum isn't supposed to be a thereapeutic session for you to get out your innermost, secret thoughts that are unworthy of being spoken aloud by a fellow mother and decent human being.

OP, I'm the mother of an on-task HGC kid, and I would say you should try for acceptance and see what happens. Right now is the time for you to explore all different options for what works best for your kid.

I'm not the PP, but if she can't say it here, where do you want her to say it? I think lots of parents feel that way.

It's unfortunate, but MCPS doesn't provide enough opportunities for motivated, bright kids. Maybe if they could meet the needs of those kids better, then parents wouldn't feel so frustrated.

Being frustrated is very different than hurling insults at a child. Other posters expressed similar sentiments, but in an appropriate manner. I was shocked at the vitriol.

Sure, it is more about motivated parents who want to opt out of the local school. If the child is articulate and looks the middle class part, the system will acquiesce.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be damned if some unmotivated, ratty snot gets a spot when there are other kids who would love to go. OP, keep your kid at your home school and leave the magnets for motivated students.

PP, you do realize you are talking about an actual 7-8 year old child, right? This forum isn't supposed to be a thereapeutic session for you to get out your innermost, secret thoughts that are unworthy of being spoken aloud by a fellow mother and decent human being.

OP, I'm the mother of an on-task HGC kid, and I would say you should try for acceptance and see what happens. Right now is the time for you to explore all different options for what works best for your kid.

I'm not the PP, but if she can't say it here, where do you want her to say it? I think lots of parents feel that way.

It's unfortunate, but MCPS doesn't provide enough opportunities for motivated, bright kids. Maybe if they could meet the needs of those kids better, then parents wouldn't feel so frustrated.

Anonymous wrote:Is he stronger at math or language arts? The HGC program favors kids who are strong in LA

I would disagree. My kid is awesome at math, but a terrible writer. The HGC helped him a ton last year with his writing. And, there were a good number of other kids who were also great at math.

That's exactly why he should give it a try.
He might be bored to death.

If he doesn't get it, or gets in but decides he doesn't want to go, it's not a big deal either - I suggest you find an extra-curricular activity that he likes.

The whole concept here is to try everything and not to close doors too quickly.

(And check whether he has a hidden learning disability or ADHD, because what you call lack of motivation is too often a manifestation of the aforementioned problems.)

Anonymous wrote:I'll be damned if some unmotivated, ratty snot gets a spot when there are other kids who would love to go. OP, keep your kid at your home school and leave the magnets for motivated students.

PP, you do realize you are talking about an actual 7-8 year old child, right? This forum isn't supposed to be a thereapeutic session for you to get out your innermost, secret thoughts that are unworthy of being spoken aloud by a fellow mother and decent human being.

OP, I'm the mother of an on-task HGC kid, and I would say you should try for acceptance and see what happens. Right now is the time for you to explore all different options for what works best for your kid.