Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Meeting with Admissions Officers

Yes, they probably have been inundated with tiger parents, and you're feeling the backlash.


This might be a red flag all its own, in fact.

If most of what they encounter as "gifted" is actually TigerCub instead, the curriculum, goals, classroom practices, and institutional policies are likely to reflect that.

Might not be a bad idea to think about what administrative responses to heavy Tiger influence tend to be:

a) rigid policy re: developmental arcs and age

b) anti-acceleration polices, again fairly strict and rigid

c) an attitude that most children must be "protected" from over-enthusiastic parents hellbent on creating high achievers

d) focus on high (enough) achievement

e) volume instead of rigor, which satisfies some Tiger parents that their children are "working hard" and "doing a lot" (relative to other children of similar age/ability), and

f) "differentiation" which seems to be about throwing additional curricular materials at some students... which is a pretty easy way for those students and their parents to preen about how "advanced" the child is, and how much "different" his/her work is from peers... but-- maybe-- just like his/her classmates? Just a thought.

Alternatively, it could be a real pressure cooker which caters NOT to students but to parents who want "success" at all costs.

Ask about student achievement-- competitions, awards, etc.

Also ask around about former students of the school-- at the local public schools (that is, does the claim of 'advanced' ring true?) and see what has happened to those students who have transitioned to other settings.



In other words, I see some red flags in your red flags.

Any school that tells you that their entire curriculum is "advanced" is potentially pandering to that demographic of parents in one way or another.

Anti-elitist rhetoric and precocious treatment of narcissistic tendencies in students... er-- well, this clearly indicates that they've had considerable experience with special snowflakes aplenty and their parents. It may also indicate that they have had a distinct lack of experience with the Real Deal (higher LOG).


As Michelle notes above-- it isn't so much a concern with whether or not this is hot-housing. You just have to ask whether or not your child belongs in that particular greenhouse. In Sally's post (above Michelle's), you can see the result of placement that IS correct in terms of match between child and environment-- so it can be good.

I'd encourage you to follow up with Michelle's final question;