Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Touring a school for the gifted.

"You know I'm really, really surprised and disappointed that there aren't more gifted private (or charter) schools in our area. It's frustrating really."

(I can't figure out the quote box thing again. I swear I'm losing my brains!)

I live in a major metro area in Texas and there are only 2 schools that I've found for gifted kids and they are both high schools. I'm thinking of calling them and asking "hey, what do parents of elementary age gifted kids do until they get to high school age. It is frustrating considering the number of schools there are that focus on "learning differences".

ETA: I don't mean to imply that kids with learning differences don't need those services. Our society just seems skewed.

Chris-
I get your point. We actually attend one of "those" schools. I drive my Scion every day into a parking lot full of Lexus, BMWs and more... We aren't "those people" but we have fun watching them. It was fun at the school auction last year to see people spend thousands- literally- on kids' artwork. "A beautiful framed collage from the Kindergarten class" $4000. !?!?!?!

Surprisingly, it hasn't mattered yet. We've been there a year and a half and I've found that while we make far less money, we are much more financially stable than most of the families there. Spending beyond your means to keep up a show just isn't our style. My kid wears Target clothes to school. And I don't have to scream when they get paint on them.

I know that DFW has several schools that start from 4 years and up.

You know that people don't spend that much b/c they think the artwork is worth it, right? It is a fundraiser after all. At DS's private school, the auction provided the revenue for a new playground. Sure it's good sport to watch them, but they're also good sports, themselves, to support the school and its programs, and many of us have been the beneficiaries of their generosity.

As for Target, I buy my clothes there, too, LOL!

Sure, I get they're being generous to the school! Of course, most are parents so their kids are also benefiting, not to mention the large tax deduction on the artwork!

I was more commenting on the previous poster's feelings that she'd be a little out of place and out of her element. We buy our $100 a piece tickets to the auction. We just don't have the luxury of throwing around that kind of money while we're there.

Yeah, we've got those Bimmers and Lexuses (what's the plural of Lexus -- Lexi?) in our parking lot. I drive my VW Rabbit in and park, and sneak out.

The private school where ds6 goes is $15K a year ... and no, I don't really "fit in" with many of the parents there (age and money both). But I've found a few. And really, ds fits in, so it's not that big a deal. Lots of kids say hi to him as we walk past, and that's enough for me. And he just started, so I think as time goes on, the appearances will count for less and the kids will count for more. I'm less concerned about me fitting in and happier that ds is fitting in.

At his school, all parents are expected to contribute to the "annual fund" on top of tuition, whatever they can afford. I can tell you that our contribution is going to be about $75! That's what we can afford, really, and that's what they'll get. I feel a little bad, but I also know that there are families there that can and do contribute a lot more on top of tuition.

Anyway, it is good that you're looking around. There's a local GT Saturday program where we are that ds did last spring and it was *great* for him, he loved it. Those things can make all the difference, just a chance to meet with kids that are more like him.