What is exceptionally gifted? Is that the same as >99%, "very superior"?

OP, I think you are wise to research alternatives. Your child sounds a lot like mine was, except more advanced. While I agree with the other posters that a child forced to memorize random facts is not gifted, that was not the case for my DC and I suspect it isn't the case for yours either. For all the times I've been labeled a pushy parent, it was always my child pulling me along as I ran to keep up.

When I called the local school and said that while I realize every mother thinks their child is special, if the school decided she was advanced, what the available options would be. They said there would be a number of activities like sponge painting letters. I thought my child who could and did read anything, did multiplication (not division, she figured it out, I didn't teach her), and sought out and absorbed information like a sponge needed more.

We ended up in a public school immersion program. It worked great at first. My daughter, in Kindergarten, told me she was glad that she was learning a foreign language, because otherwise she wouldn't have anything to learn. I pointrd out they'd learned about Kwanzaa and Columbus Day, but she wasn't impressed.

By third grade, the foreign language wasn't enough. In earlier grades there'd been lots of learning games which she enjoyed, even if she wasn't learning. By third grade, learning got more serious and since the curriculum spiraled, it was yet another year of learning information she had known for years. She asked her teacher for the chance to learn more and was refused.

Turns out her local school was given extra resources because of it's high FARMS rate and developed a gifted program that the immersion school didn't have. It might have been better for her. In fourth grade she did enter a gifted program. The magnet programs she attended were an excellent fit.

In terms of private schools, you might want to check out Yang Academy. While my kids never attended, I believe it is a gifted program.

http://www.yangacademy.com

Anonymous wrote:OP- even if you get your kid tested for IQ, keep in mind that kids with a high IQ can thrive in many types of environments, doesn't have to be for "gifted" kids.

Also, IQ tests are not very reliable until a certain age (at least mid-to-late elementary). The younger the child, the more environment (vs innate intelligence) skews the results.

Having had experience with both Montessori and Feynman school, I recommend you take a look at those options. Both will allow your child to move at her own pace and support their social and emotional development as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Strange that in this Private School forum people are pushing for public schools ...

I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Her perspective is not at all out of wack, even for the DC metro area and it’s strange so many people in a private school board are claiming public is best. Let the parent decide. It comes across as petty, at best, to mock and belittle.

No, most folks are suggesting a good local public OR a good local private as the first school for OP's child and then re-evaluate if it does not seem to be satisfactory. Every good public and private school could potentially work out just fine for a highly advanced young student because there are many highly advanced students in this area. Many "gifted" kids are attending and succeeding at a variety of good public and private schools around here.

Yet op knows her child best. You all speculating and claiming what is best for her child is really insecure sounding. My child is exceptionally gifted, 99.9+ percentile and still didn’t do many of the things her child does at this age. A parent is the best at first identifying the need. So regardless of whether a public or private will work okay, if she is interested in a school that may better meet the needs of her child, then all the unsolicited advice and claims are really unwarranted.

Op, look at Nysmith or Feynman or whenever else you may want and then compare and contrast what best meets your needs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

The last two posts hit the nail on the head. OP's kid sounds like a 98-99% type kid -- which means that while very smart there will still be other kids like her/him at every school -- whether private or public. It also sounds like this is OP's first child, so OP does not have much experience seeing or knowing other very smart kids. Now if OP told us her kid was reading and comprehending college level textbooks then I'm sure most on here would respond/advise differently.

In short, any good public or good private school will work for OP's child initially. If for some reason, the local public or private does not seem to be working out after K or 1st grade then OP can seek out a different environment that addresses any perceived deficiencies.

Not true. DD does have two older siblings, who are in AAP and were tested with IQ 99% range. So I know what a 98-99% type kid is like. DD is different.

NP. Maybe she is profoundly gifted. Or maybe she just wants to keep up with her older siblings. Younger kids sometimes do come out of the academic gate faster, to use an imperfect metaphor. In any event, get the resting done and look around for a school if you wish. Why not? But most of the advice is correct: most good elementary schools will meet her needs for now. As she grows, and you get to see her learning style, etc., better, then shop for the perfect school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had gifted kids in private. Teachers were largely uninterested with them. They were busy with the kids who were struggling or average because they are assessed as teachers by the gains children make throughout the year. Since my kids are going in at the top, they won’t be making large gains. We have since moved them to public because there are far more clubs and stuff. They’re going to be bored everywhere so why not let them have fun.

Was this a challenging private school? what grade to you pull them out?

PP here. Yes, it was a challenging private. They were in 4th and 6th. As with everything in life with kids, YMMV. People are so obnoxious about this topic. Look if your kid is really bright; they will be bored. I’m sure you remember the boredom of school and the irritation of peers. It’s just part of life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

The last two posts hit the nail on the head. OP's kid sounds like a 98-99% type kid -- which means that while very smart there will still be other kids like her/him at every school -- whether private or public. It also sounds like this is OP's first child, so OP does not have much experience seeing or knowing other very smart kids. Now if OP told us her kid was reading and comprehending college level textbooks then I'm sure most on here would respond/advise differently.

In short, any good public or good private school will work for OP's child initially. If for some reason, the local public or private does not seem to be working out after K or 1st grade then OP can seek out a different environment that addresses any perceived deficiencies.

Not true. DD does have two older siblings, who are in AAP and were tested with IQ 99% range. So I know what a 98-99% type kid is like. DD is different.

Nothing you've written makes me believe your DD is different. My 98% wisc v kid did most you described, and then more, at age 4.

Your DD may not even be 98%. If your older two are in public, I would think do the same for her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Strange that in this Private School forum people are pushing for public schools ...

I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Her perspective is not at all out of wack, even for the DC metro area and it’s strange so many people in a private school board are claiming public is best. Let the parent decide. It comes across as petty, at best, to mock and belittle.

No, most folks are suggesting a good local public OR a good local private as the first school for OP's child and then re-evaluate if it does not seem to be satisfactory. Every good public and private school could potentially work out just fine for a highly advanced young student because there are many highly advanced students in this area. Many "gifted" kids are attending and succeeding at a variety of good public and private schools around here.

Anonymous wrote:BTW: I am not the OP, and have never used the words "gifted"/"off-the-charts IQ"/"prodigy" to describe my preschooler DD. I didn't even have her tested, because I am not interested in the label.

You won't be able to get into most private schools without having her take the WPPSI.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

The last two posts hit the nail on the head. OP's kid sounds like a 98-99% type kid -- which means that while very smart there will still be other kids like her/him at every school -- whether private or public. It also sounds like this is OP's first child, so OP does not have much experience seeing or knowing other very smart kids. Now if OP told us her kid was reading and comprehending college level textbooks then I'm sure most on here would respond/advise differently.

In short, any good public or good private school will work for OP's child initially. If for some reason, the local public or private does not seem to be working out after K or 1st grade then OP can seek out a different environment that addresses any perceived deficiencies.

Not true. DD does have two older siblings, who are in AAP and were tested with IQ 99% range. So I know what a 98-99% type kid is like. DD is different.

have you tested this DD?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Strange that in this Private School forum people are pushing for public schools ...

I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Her perspective is not at all out of wack, even for the DC metro area and it’s strange so many people in a private school board are claiming public is best. Let the parent decide. It comes across as petty, at best, to mock and belittle.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

The last two posts hit the nail on the head. OP's kid sounds like a 98-99% type kid -- which means that while very smart there will still be other kids like her/him at every school -- whether private or public. It also sounds like this is OP's first child, so OP does not have much experience seeing or knowing other very smart kids. Now if OP told us her kid was reading and comprehending college level textbooks then I'm sure most on here would respond/advise differently.

In short, any good public or good private school will work for OP's child initially. If for some reason, the local public or private does not seem to be working out after K or 1st grade then OP can seek out a different environment that addresses any perceived deficiencies.

Not true. DD does have two older siblings, who are in AAP and were tested with IQ 99% range. So I know what a 98-99% type kid is like. DD is different.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

The last two posts hit the nail on the head. OP's kid sounds like a 98-99% type kid -- which means that while very smart there will still be other kids like her/him at every school -- whether private or public. It also sounds like this is OP's first child, so OP does not have much experience seeing or knowing other very smart kids. Now if OP told us her kid was reading and comprehending college level textbooks then I'm sure most on here would respond/advise differently.

In short, any good public or good private school will work for OP's child initially. If for some reason, the local public or private does not seem to be working out after K or 1st grade then OP can seek out a different environment that addresses any perceived deficiencies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think folks in this thread are put off by OP's lack of perspective about her child's abilities, which are precocious but not earth-shattering, and by her stated desire to avoid kids with special needs. Her child would be fine at public, or at any good private, but doesn't need a special school for gifted kids at 5.

Exactly. Maybe a different conversation is warranted if OP's child was, say, an off-the-charts IQ/prodigy-type. But a 99th percentile child will be fine in public or any good private as you say. My child is advanced in certain areas for her age and did great on the WPPSI (not that it helped in PK admissions), but I know very well that she's not truly "gifted" or anywhere near unique in the DC area. In many ways, that's more preferable IMO.

OK, so the conclusion is that any good public or private schools will be sufficient, but not special schools. BTW: I am not the OP, and have never used the words "gifted"/"off-the-charts IQ"/"prodigy" to describe my preschooler DD. I didn't even have her tested, because I am not interested in the label. I've never said anything about kids with special needs. I've only listed a few things she has done, but that is enough to get people upset.