We are very happy. One of my dc's teachers at the center is the best teacher I've ever encountered.

NP. It is also our observation that HGC curriculum is not that hard. We haven't seen so far anything that would be "challenging". What is different in our opinion is the pace in the classroom which requires very frequent transition from one activity to the next. This may in fact be a bit disadvantegous to a kid who is absorbed by a certain activity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It was not my experience that there was a substantial difference in class disruptions when we moved to the HGC. Just because a kid is in the HGC doesn't make them well behaved.

I have heard that too - and it makes sense for all kinds of reasons...

But I am curious, are you saying this to give general feedback on centers or is this in response to a specific post?

What center are you at? Note that giving the center would imply bad behavior at a center because this sort of issue can vary year to year depending on the make-up of the class.

it was in response to 21:36. I am happy we are at the center but it's not some magical place with unicorns (at least IME).

correction....would "not" imply...

Anonymous wrote:It was not my experience that there was a substantial difference in class disruptions when we moved to the HGC. Just because a kid is in the HGC doesn't make them well behaved.

I have heard that too - and it makes sense for all kinds of reasons...

But I am curious, are you saying this to give general feedback on centers or is this in response to a specific post?

What center are you at? Note that giving the center would imply bad behavior at a center because this sort of issue can vary year to year depending on the make-up of the class.

It was not my experience that there was a substantial difference in class disruptions when we moved to the HGC. Just because a kid is in the HGC doesn't make them well behaved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP - are they actually learning to type as part of the program or is that a side-effect from using the computer for projects?

In our case it is a side-effect from using the computer for projects. I know I should be more proactive and get him to practice on a typing program, but I have another DC too and so there is some benign neglect from my side as well.

funny - and no need to feel neglect!! At all! I was just curious because you listed that as a specific outcome and I hadn't heard that typing was part of the program.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP - are they actually learning to type as part of the program or is that a side-effect from using the computer for projects?

In our case it is a side-effect from using the computer for projects. I know I should be more proactive and get him to practice on a typing program, but I have another DC too and so there is some benign neglect from my side as well.

Thanks PP - are they actually learning to type as part of the program or is that a side-effect from using the computer for projects?

We are at Clearspring (4th). DC is having a great experience. I am amazed at the work he and his peers are doing. LOVE the projects. Each one of them has been phenomenal.

What I have seen in him in the last 4 months is
1) He has become self-motivated and self directed.
2) He is researching a lot on the internet on his own
3) Very comfortable using computer applications to create excel files, documents, PowerPoint presentations, use emails etc.
4) Typing speed has increased though he has not really learned the correct finger placements.
5) He is able to easily juggle school work with his extra-curricular activities
6) HGC kids are like any other kids...their IPad and video games are a source of annoyance to most parents.
7) The peer group is phenomenal, most kids are polite and social and very little discipline problems are encountered.
8) Some of the day-to-day work is so routine (Math, POW, Wordly wise) that kids are doing it on the bus or in class. The bulk of time is spent on projects that the kids love to do.
9) All of a sudden there is a new maturity in the way they conduct themselves and what their responsibilities are.
10) They are truly learning time-management. Projects are broken into small chunks. Daily work is required and expected.

I just love the program. Parents are SUPER involved. And if there was not a limit on how many chaperons they could take for each field-trip, I think almost everyone's parents would be there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it annoying/hard to believe the disatisfied posters who haven't named their centers.

I don't think anyone want to be responsible for black-listing a school with an HGC. There is no need to name such centers (if there are any) just so that unfounded rumors can start circulating. That being said, we were very happy with our HGC, which has already been named earlier in this post.

While this seems like a nice thing to do (honestly, it does) - given how many people seem to be dying to get into the HGC's, it doesn't seem like negative would do much harm. People will still want to go and perhaps the county may intervene in positive ways if the negative comments are warranted.

why not? they are public entities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it annoying/hard to believe the disatisfied posters who haven't named their centers.

I don't think anyone want to be responsible for black-listing a school with an HGC. There is no need to name such centers (if there are any) just so that unfounded rumors can start circulating. That being said, we were very happy with our HGC, which has already been named earlier in this post.

There is no need to name such centers for unfounded rumors to start circulating. They can start circulating perfectly well without any names -- and already have, on this thread. ("I don't like my HGC! Which I won't name.")

Anonymous wrote:I find it annoying/hard to believe the disatisfied posters who haven't named their centers.

I don't think anyone want to be responsible for black-listing a school with an HGC. There is no need to name such centers (if there are any) just so that unfounded rumors can start circulating. That being said, we were very happy with our HGC, which has already been named earlier in this post.

I find it annoying/hard to believe the disatisfied posters who haven't named their centers.