I never understood those questions about social environment in the HGCs and then, the discussion is degenerating. Why are you parents afraid of trying it out and if you feel it's not for YOU, you can pull your child out at any time. Your home school director will be happy to receive back your super smart child, very endowed socially. Or, if you are afraid of trying it out in vivo, go for in vitro! Instead of asking strangers, just go and ask permission to observe an hour of a 4th grade in a HGC. If you are the parent of a HG child, I assume you are somewhat smart too.

I would worry about my child going to a school primarily full of jocks b/c he doesn't like sports. These questions can seem difficult, but I think it is important to find out what the school make-up is like. After all, hopefully, children can be socially as well as academically comfortable.

I agree. One should not condemn children in GT centers to mumbling baffoons because a parent does not wish to enroll their kids -- or their kids do not make the cut.

Anonymous wrote:

Woah, you're pretty much validating this poster's concerns linking the highly gifted centers and social challenges, despite evidence to the contrary (that is, the other posters). Not sure who you are or what you are trying to accomplish, but you're not making yourself look good

What nonsense are you spinning? How did you reach this conclusion?

By the way, while your pea-size brain spins in its thimble, I am not a member of the GT center. My grown children were not part of the GT center therefore there is no conflict of interest or selection bias on my part.

As this thread demonstrates, it is simply good parenting to ensure that our kids' cohort is a healthy, well-adjusted one. That goes for the kids and the parents. Some very odd folks on this thread, I suppose we may draw our own conclusions.

Woah, you're pretty much validating this poster's concerns linking the highly gifted centers and social challenges, despite evidence to the contrary (that is, the other posters). Not sure who you are or what you are trying to accomplish, but you're not making yourself look good

What nonsense are you spinning? How did you reach this conclusion?

By the way, while your pea-size brain spins in its thimble, I am not a member of the GT center. My grown children were not part of the GT center therefore there is no conflict of interest or selection bias on my part.

Woah, you're pretty much validating this poster's concerns linking the highly gifted centers and social challenges, despite evidence to the contrary (that is, the other posters). Not sure who you are or what you are trying to accomplish, but you're not making yourself look good

What nonsense are you spinning? How did you reach this conclusion?

Anonymous wrote:

Look, it's a legitimate question whether you like it or not. My DC happened to test off the chart on the 2nd grade test and the principal has already approached us about the fact that the school (previous teachers, administrators) have identified DC as an extraordinarily smart student. So, clearly, we will look at the HGC. That said, I have heard feedback that sometimes smart kids who are very socially challenged/odd go to these programs. I happen to have a very socially mature, engaging, smart child. Considering that I believe the social environment is as important as the academics, I will ask the question. Sorry for you that you seem to think that smart equals socially awkward and that socially confident equals dimwitted. You have a very black and white view of things. That belief system usually doesn't work out well.

Typical dcummie lies from an envious mourning mother. Since your child did not get into the program there is no need to disparage those who made the cut and choose to matriculate.

Take your tall tales elsewhere. Your rationalizations are illegitimate.

Woah, you're pretty much validating this poster's concerns linking the highly gifted centers and social challenges, despite evidence to the contrary (that is, the other posters). Not sure who you are or what you are trying to accomplish, but you're not making yourself look good.

Look, it's a legitimate question whether you like it or not. My DC happened to test off the chart on the 2nd grade test and the principal has already approached us about the fact that the school (previous teachers, administrators) have identified DC as an extraordinarily smart student. So, clearly, we will look at the HGC. That said, I have heard feedback that sometimes smart kids who are very socially challenged/odd go to these programs. I happen to have a very socially mature, engaging, smart child. Considering that I believe the social environment is as important as the academics, I will ask the question. Sorry for you that you seem to think that smart equals socially awkward and that socially confident equals dimwitted. You have a very black and white view of things. That belief system usually doesn't work out well.

Typical dcummie lies from an envious mourning mother. Since your child did not get into the program there is no need to disparage those who made the cut and choose to matriculate.

Take your tall tales elsewhere. Your rationalizations are illegitimate.

good input, much appreciated

My child just began 4th grade at a center. He is very nicely adjusted young man who is involved in sports and scouts. He had a close group of 3 friends who all went to the center together. I have not heard any comments about quirky kids or behaviour issues. None of them changed due to social issues, just had hit a wall in math and reading levels.

Anonymous wrote:

Would you say that most of the kids in the program are just very smart children -- as opposed to the "hall wanderers, "10 minute pencil sharpeners," etc. that have been discussed above. I like the idea of more challenging work for my DC, but I am reluctant to put him in a situation with for lack of a better term "rainman" types (like the kid who is 3 years ahead in math at our school, but mumbles to himself all day and looks shell-shocked all the time). Also, how much is "tons" of homework? It seems that if the program is enriching, studies would suggest homework is much less necessary. Thank you for your input.

Spewed by a jealous and degenerating average mind who has spawned children who are "dimwitted" thinkers and who fail to even meet the low test bar for the GT centers. What do you expect from an envious parent with children that don't make the cut? What will she say when her dull children don't even make the cut for the sports' travel team?

Stay posted.

Look, it's a legitimate question whether you like it or not. My DC happened to test off the chart on the 2nd grade test and the principal has already approached us about the fact that the school (previous teachers, administrators) have identified DC as an extraordinarily smart student. So, clearly, we will look at the HGC. That said, I have heard feedback that sometimes smart kids who are very socially challenged/odd go to these programs. I happen to have a very socially mature, engaging, smart child. Considering that I believe the social environment is as important as the academics, I will ask the question. Sorry for you that you seem to think that smart equals socially awkward and that socially confident equals dimwitted. You have a very black and white view of things. That belief system usually doesn't work out well.

Would you say that most of the kids in the program are just very smart children -- as opposed to the "hall wanderers, "10 minute pencil sharpeners," etc. that have been discussed above. I like the idea of more challenging work for my DC, but I am reluctant to put him in a situation with for lack of a better term "rainman" types (like the kid who is 3 years ahead in math at our school, but mumbles to himself all day and looks shell-shocked all the time). Also, how much is "tons" of homework? It seems that if the program is enriching, studies would suggest homework is much less necessary. Thank you for your input.

Spewed by a jealous and degenerating average mind who has spawned children who are "dimwitted" thinkers and who fail to even meet the low test bar for the GT centers. What do you expect from an envious parent with children that don't make the cut? What will she say when her dull children don't even make the cut for the sports' travel team?

Stay posted.

^^^
PP here.

I wouldn't say there is a "ton" of work. The work is more challenging for sure, but the difference from DC's old homework load is more about the content than the volume.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child just started in the program (4th grade). I really think it's mainly the test results that are considered...because the results really show whether the child is of the HGC caliber or not. I'm sure the teacher recommendations help some (it's the 3rd grade teachers, by the time they need to fill out the forms they've already had your child in class for at least 4 months). I wouldn't say you'd have to worry too much about the parent application, I think all we wrote was that our child wasn't challenged by the assignments he was getting at the old school.

That being said, the new school is way different from his old one....tons of homework and projects, all very challenging, but also take a lot of time to complete.

Would you say that most of the kids in the program are just very smart children -- as opposed to the "hall wanderers, "10 minute pencil sharpeners," etc. that have been discussed above. I like the idea of more challenging work for my DC, but I am reluctant to put him in a situation with for lack of a better term "rainman" types (like the kid who is 3 years ahead in math at our school, but mumbles to himself all day and looks shell-shocked all the time). Also, how much is "tons" of homework? It seems that if the program is enriching, studies would suggest homework is much less necessary. Thank you for your input.

My child is in fifth grade at a Center.

The point of the Center is to give children whose needs cannot be met at their home school a place to thrive. Therefore it's partly a matter of giving kids "more challenging work" but more importantly, a matter of challenging them in ways that would not/cannot happen in the home school classroom.

The Center population is indeed very smart overall, but of course there are also very very gifted children enrolled as well - because the Center program is what they NEED. Your "rainman" child likely looks "shell-shocked" because school is an unpleasant place for him to be given his capabilities. He would likely benefit from the Center program.

Very few people are endowed with fabulous brains, sparkling social skills, athleticism and good looks, all in one package. It happens, but it's rare.

If you and your child cannot handle the presence of super-bright children, some of whom are socially-challenged, then you should not consider the Center.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child just started in the program (4th grade). I really think it's mainly the test results that are considered...because the results really show whether the child is of the HGC caliber or not. I'm sure the teacher recommendations help some (it's the 3rd grade teachers, by the time they need to fill out the forms they've already had your child in class for at least 4 months). I wouldn't say you'd have to worry too much about the parent application, I think all we wrote was that our child wasn't challenged by the assignments he was getting at the old school.

That being said, the new school is way different from his old one....tons of homework and projects, all very challenging, but also take a lot of time to complete.

Would you say that most of the kids in the program are just very smart children -- as opposed to the "hall wanderers, "10 minute pencil sharpeners," etc. that have been discussed above. I like the idea of more challenging work for my DC, but I am reluctant to put him in a situation with for lack of a better term "rainman" types (like the kid who is 3 years ahead in math at our school, but mumbles to himself all day and looks shell-shocked all the time). Also, how much is "tons" of homework? It seems that if the program is enriching, studies would suggest homework is much less necessary. Thank you for your input.

I wish you knew how ridiculous and offensive this statement is. I hardly even know where to begin. I think if you really fear that these are classes full of "rainman" kids, your child probably shouldn't apply.

I want to tell you that the Center kids are the most interesting, supportive, well-adjusted kids I've ever seen, but while that's true, I feel like I'd be pandering to your fears of kids who are different. And yeah, they are different, and some of them are quirky. But no one is wandering the halls and muttering. That's indicative of other issues and should be viewed with sympathy and concern, not a "rainman" characterization.