Q: progressive schools in DC-for very very bright kid?

A: Georgetown Day School, by far

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do CTY via Johns Hopkins either online or in summer.

This is sooooo expensive! What are you getting at CTY to make it worth the $$?

This is an honest question- we never considered it after we saw the cost.

Personally, I don't think CTY is worth the cost. In the high school years, the "true" academic programs that will look good on your kid's resume for college are the selective ones and the ones that are free. The $10K program at Stanford is going to get you nothing, as is the $10K program at Boston Univ. etc. The admissions committees all know what programs are true honors and free (RSI, Boys State, Boys Nation, many of the minority STEM summer programs, etc.)

I think CTY is worth it for kids like this (I went and was an RA during college). Not for college admissions purposes, but for social, academic and life purposes. The kids will range from "regular" very bright on up, but there is definitely a peer group of extremely gifted kids that would be difficult to find anywhere else.

For 7th grade on up, though. I don't have experience with their elementary school programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do CTY via Johns Hopkins either online or in summer.

This is sooooo expensive! What are you getting at CTY to make it worth the $$?

This is an honest question- we never considered it after we saw the cost.

Personally, I don't think CTY is worth the cost. In the high school years, the "true" academic programs that will look good on your kid's resume for college are the selective ones and the ones that are free. The $10K program at Stanford is going to get you nothing, as is the $10K program at Boston Univ. etc. The admissions committees all know what programs are true honors and free (RSI, Boys State, Boys Nation, many of the minority STEM summer programs, etc.)

I think CTY is worth it for kids like this (I went and was an RA during college). Not for college admissions purposes, but for social, academic and life purposes. The kids will range from "regular" very bright on up, but there is definitely a peer group of extremely gifted kids that would be difficult to find anywhere else.

Whatever you do, don't move to Arlington. The gifted "program" is a JOKE.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you 11:44,
So nice to hear your experience. I think you are right in your approach. I think I just needed to hear from someone who has been there done that, my child is in forth grade, so I'm just concerned about his possible lack of academic peers as he goes into upper elem and middle but will see enrichment as a way to fulfill that perhaps.
Thanks for your helpful comments.

Yes. Have one.

Went to many schools.

Transfered to Fairfax County and ended up in fcps AAP center in fourth grade. Made an enormous difference and kid was finally learning with a peer group.

The class had enough of a concentration of bright kids to move at a faster pace, and a handful of kids at or above his level.

Best move ever for this kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would let go of the idea that your child needs a progressive school. these days even the most traditional schools are using progressive principles to educate their students. I would consider applying (it's too late this year if you haven't already applied out) to a more competitive school. We did that several years ago when our child was bored with yes, 4th grade at a progressive school, and the teachers were focused on catching up the kids who were struggling. there were not enough kids at the higher end to keep it challenging for our kid. we are so happy we moved.

Exactly the same experience with us.

Am curious to know which "more competitive" school has all the smart kids in 4th grade. Because, it's definitely not Sidwell nor NCS. St. Albans? Please come back and divulge.

Yep, I'ld like to know that too.

+1000. And where did you move to?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would let go of the idea that your child needs a progressive school. these days even the most traditional schools are using progressive principles to educate their students. I would consider applying (it's too late this year if you haven't already applied out) to a more competitive school. We did that several years ago when our child was bored with yes, 4th grade at a progressive school, and the teachers were focused on catching up the kids who were struggling. there were not enough kids at the higher end to keep it challenging for our kid. we are so happy we moved.

Exactly the same experience with us.

Am curious to know which "more competitive" school has all the smart kids in 4th grade. Because, it's definitely not Sidwell nor NCS. St. Albans? Please come back and divulge.

Yep, I'ld like to know that too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would let go of the idea that your child needs a progressive school. these days even the most traditional schools are using progressive principles to educate their students. I would consider applying (it's too late this year if you haven't already applied out) to a more competitive school. We did that several years ago when our child was bored with yes, 4th grade at a progressive school, and the teachers were focused on catching up the kids who were struggling. there were not enough kids at the higher end to keep it challenging for our kid. we are so happy we moved.

Exactly the same experience with us.

Am curious to know which "more competitive" school has all the smart kids in 4th grade. Because, it's definitely not Sidwell nor NCS. St. Albans? Please come back and divulge.

Anonymous wrote:I would let go of the idea that your child needs a progressive school. these days even the most traditional schools are using progressive principles to educate their students. I would consider applying (it's too late this year if you haven't already applied out) to a more competitive school. We did that several years ago when our child was bored with yes, 4th grade at a progressive school, and the teachers were focused on catching up the kids who were struggling. there were not enough kids at the higher end to keep it challenging for our kid. we are so happy we moved.

Exactly the same experience with us.

I would let go of the idea that your child needs a progressive school. these days even the most traditional schools are using progressive principles to educate their students. I would consider applying (it's too late this year if you haven't already applied out) to a more competitive school. We did that several years ago when our child was bored with yes, 4th grade at a progressive school, and the teachers were focused on catching up the kids who were struggling. there were not enough kids at the higher end to keep it challenging for our kid. we are so happy we moved.

We tried CTY for languages and math program. In our opinion, not woth the $ or time invested. Language was so poor my child corrected the teacher and workbook! in the end we stopped and got some of our money back. I agree with other other posters with enriching yourself. Arts, trips, projects with your child. We also found a private that is academically rich and offers various enrichment classes after school.
p.s. Don't open any conversation with the "gifted child" as it seldom has a positive outcome.

Anonymous wrote:GDS, hands down. End of conversation.

This.

Any of the big 3 should be fine for your child, if he can get in. These schools do not just take the brightest kids. They take the kids who they believe will be the best fit. There will be a few others in his class with similar abilities and the others will be gifted. You may need to supplement in middle school, but by US the curriculum will be fine, especially in social science and English where the classes are open ended. ( For example, if the class is reading Dickens, he can read an extra novel or two and use all of them in his essays.) He can also learn a couple of languages at these schools. He may wish to study abroad so he can be fluent. Be sure he finds a sport he likes and sticks with it. The most important thing he will learn at these schools is how to socialize and lead. He will need these skills in college and beyond. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apply to the Davidson Young Scholars program. If your child is accepted, you will get great advice from the parents there, in addition to other benefits.

+1. Davidson also runs a summer program.

Davidson is free. Worth it to apply. It is based solely on IQ.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:do CTY via Johns Hopkins either online or in summer.

This is sooooo expensive! What are you getting at CTY to make it worth the $$?

This is an honest question- we never considered it after we saw the cost.

DC said it was less interesting than regular school (GDS) and that lots of kids seemed to be there under duress. Tried both day and sleepaway summer programs during ES before giving up on CTY.