anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

how old were they when they started?

Where is the school?

Did u have to pay for them to be tested?

Do u think having them in gifted school helps or hurts them socially?

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

A friend of mine has her daughter in a gifted school. I think it is in Hauppauge. I don't know all of the particulars but I can ask.

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

GATE doesn't start in our district until 4th grade. Robbie is in 3rd. He is in mathletes - and in the highest reading and math groups in his class.. but there isn't more than that offered.

He will be taking the SCAT test for the Johns Hopkins Talent Search based on his scores on standardized tests and if he does well we will enroll him in some of their programs to enhance his experience. I believe it cost $50 for the application and there is a $35 testing fee.

We did not send him to a gifted school - but it had NOTHING to do with how we thought he would acclimate socially. We just simply didn't have the money and would not qualify for financial aid. We believe he can get a very good education in his current district and we will continue to enhance what he learns at home and encourage his desire to learn and natural abilities at home and with supporting programs.

I will say that while I think Robbie is incredibly intelligent, I do not think he is so gifted that he requires an entirely different school to support him. If I felt that his intelligence level was so extraordinary that his needs could not be met in his current environment, I would make sure to find a place that would foster his development - no matter what the cost.

As to social development. I think that a child is far more likely to suffer socially if they are really far advanced of the other children around them. So if your child is extremely advanced, he or she might actually suffer from being in an environment where other kids are very far behind their maturity and intelligence.

I hope this made sense.. I feel like I'm rambling!

ETA: I meant to say the district doesn't charge to qualify the kids for GATE program generally speaking - but I think that's because acceptance is based on prior test scores and teacher recommendations/observations.

Message edited 3/17/2010 2:30:21 PM.

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

My niece just started in the gifted program at her school this year she is in 3rd grade in the Sachem SD. I believe this is the first year of school that the gifted program applies.

My SIL did not have to pay extra for her to be tested.

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

thanks...i didnt know if they ever started before K...

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

I was in gifted classes from the time I was 4 years old. We moved a lot so it was off and on throughout my schooling. I was tested because my teachers recognized my aptitude. It didn't cost anything.

As far as social skills, I think I was hurt more by the constant moving than I was by the gifted classes. But I managed I am a fairly decent conversationalist.

In my high school advanced calculus class, the kid behind me wrote in my year book "Thanks for ruining the curve all year long" I had scored 100% on the final

Message edited 3/17/2010 5:07:05 PM.

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

Message edited 3/26/2010 1:34:03 PM.

Re: anyone here have thier kid in a gifted class or school?

There is a gifted pre-school in the islip area and a gifted school with pre-k in huntington

both of these you pay to get tested and both are private schools