Anonymous wrote: It's not about the written HGC curriculum- it's about the peer group and the expectations.

+1000 Some say the curriculum is fabulous, some not. But, to us, the much-needed peer group is everything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 4th grade HGC student gets so much more writing experience than is provided at the home school. Not only are there many more writing assignments (and they are more varied) but the standards are much higher. They draft several versions of each writing assignment with peer editing and then with a teacher conference for every assignment. She is actually sitting down with a teacher who is giving her feedback and then she has a chance to revise. Plus, the standards are so much higher that she is forced to push herself to give more details, and improve her writing generally.

+1

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Anonymous wrote:My 4th grade HGC student gets so much more writing experience than is provided at the home school. Not only are there many more writing assignments (and they are more varied) but the standards are much higher. They draft several versions of each writing assignment with peer editing and then with a teacher conference for every assignment. She is actually sitting down with a teacher who is giving her feedback and then she has a chance to revise. Plus, the standards are so much higher that she is forced to push herself to give more details, and improve her writing generally.

+1

My 4th grade HGC student gets so much more writing experience than is provided at the home school. Not only are there many more writing assignments (and they are more varied) but the standards are much higher. They draft several versions of each writing assignment with peer editing and then with a teacher conference for every assignment. She is actually sitting down with a teacher who is giving her feedback and then she has a chance to revise. Plus, the standards are so much higher that she is forced to push herself to give more details, and improve her writing generally.

HGC curriculum could be better (and maybe was before 2.0), but its a order of magnitude better than the home school. The kids are writing long papers, a play, and are challenged by the other kids in ways one can not quantify. Its been a sacrifice but definitely worth it. My 5th grader says he would do it again.

As for skipping grades, I am finding out recently that MCPS rules are occasionally broken. I find this unfair because depends on the principal and parents pushing. The principal at our home school is firmly against any acceleration so this would never ever happen there, no matter how advanced the kid is.

It's not about the written HGC curriculum- it's about the peer group and the expectations.

Sorry but the HGC is not that gifted. It is a whole group that does maybe 1 grade level above work. I was surprised how easy it was and how many of the kids were not the brightest in their home schools. Growing up, our gifted program in school had debate, worm, butterfly and frog dissections, intense class field trips, and we were expected to write articles in the school paper and present topics to lower grades. We also had to take multiple tests, learn study skills, and prep for accelerated gifted classes in middle school. It started in 3rd grade. I was awesome. HGC is very standard with a few projects thrown in. I am shocked how much people strive for it and put that type of commute on their young kids. The curriculum is average at best.

There is a girl in my child's 4th grade HGC who is still 8 because she skipped a grade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have already passed on even considering HGC. My kid is a year ahead (skipped a grade) and is in the top groups in class for reading, writing, spelling and math. The challenges are built-in for us, we don't need to go outside of our home school as needs are being met.

For most kids the home school is fine..

The kid described isn't "most" kids though, obviously. Most kids do not both skip a grade AND end up in all the top groups.

Wait a minute.. they don't accelerate kids anymore! No one is allowed to skip grades under 2.0.

Several kids have skipped grades at our school in the last two years. It can happen.

Anonymous wrote:We opted not to go in 4th and never looked back. Very happy she stayed. Two out of six kids came back and finished 5th at their homeschool. It was not the homework but the long commute and missing of the lasting friendships, school spirit and doing all the 5th grade events with their home school. I find that most of the kids that leave and stay at HGC do so for one of three reasons. 1. Parent pushed. 2. Poor home school. 3. Lack of friends and hoping to bond/start anew in HGC.

If your child is happy at their school, has close ties (sport teams/ girl/boy scouts etc...) and has positive friends, teachers and community, why move them?

Contrary to your mean spirited statements, my kid was happy at the home school and did not lack for friends. He was not forced to accept the invitation. He was ambivalent about leaving, but has made some new really good friends. Our home school is not a bad school. But go ahead and think that every HGC kid lacks social skills if it makes you feel better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have already passed on even considering HGC. My kid is a year ahead (skipped a grade) and is in the top groups in class for reading, writing, spelling and math. The challenges are built-in for us, we don't need to go outside of our home school as needs are being met.

For most kids the home school is fine..

The kid described isn't "most" kids though, obviously. Most kids do not both skip a grade AND end up in all the top groups.

Wait a minute.. they don't accelerate kids anymore! No one is allowed to skip grades under 2.0.

But I think kids in HGC work about a grade level ahead in most subject areas. The curriculum is very similar to non HGCs but the expectations of their level of work is about a grade ahead.

In HGC, yes, absolutely, but I was referring to the poster that claimed that her kid was a year ahead and not needing to go outside of their home school. I call BS on that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have already passed on even considering HGC. My kid is a year ahead (skipped a grade) and is in the top groups in class for reading, writing, spelling and math. The challenges are built-in for us, we don't need to go outside of our home school as needs are being met.

For most kids the home school is fine..

The kid described isn't "most" kids though, obviously. Most kids do not both skip a grade AND end up in all the top groups.

Wait a minute.. they don't accelerate kids anymore! No one is allowed to skip grades under 2.0.

But I think kids in HGC work about a grade level ahead in most subject areas. The curriculum is very similar to non HGCs but the expectations of their level of work is about a grade ahead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have already passed on even considering HGC. My kid is a year ahead (skipped a grade) and is in the top groups in class for reading, writing, spelling and math. The challenges are built-in for us, we don't need to go outside of our home school as needs are being met.

For most kids the home school is fine..

The kid described isn't "most" kids though, obviously. Most kids do not both skip a grade AND end up in all the top groups.

Wait a minute.. they don't accelerate kids anymore! No one is allowed to skip grades under 2.0.

My guess is many do. A child would not be pushed ahead just to be a middle of the road kid one grade up. That family opted for a grade skip but then did not opt for a HGC. Another family might have done the reverse.