Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Is IB good for Middle School Gifted Girl?

We just had my daughter tested privately because she is bored in school. She is moderately gifted with a GAI of 133. Her neighborhood elementary school is a K-6 school and we just moved here from TX so she will only be in the 6th grade for one year. They don't have a GT program but her teacher may be willling to accelerate/enrich in some areas. School's out for another three weeks though so I can't discuss with the teacher til then. I am trying to get in to speak with the principal. The feeder MS does offer a quality gifted program and we are trying to take advantage of all opps for her to take programs there (band camp this summer etc.)

Another option is to enroll in another school district that offers the Middle School IB program + a separate gifted program. That school is Grades 6-8 so that would be good for continuation. The psychologist who administered the test says that IB isn't necessarily the best program for gifted kids though and that it's best reserved for HS if it is of interest to the student. I am interested to know what you all think of this. Is IB too "sequential" for Middle School? She was concerned that it's just too much busy work that is not tailored to the gifted student's interests so the student may lose motivation and feel resentment towards the extra work/homework.

Thanks for your input!!

Good for you for listening to your daughter, and taking the step of getting the testing done. ((applause and cheers))

I don't have any personal experience with IB Schools, although I have also heard that they are "lots of work" and particularly inflexable. If your daughter is a good producer, and likes that kind of challange, she may be a good fit.

Generally, the lable of a school means very little, it is the people who run the school who make the difference. Flexability seems to be an important aspect of what makes a school work for a gifted kid.

If the Middle school has a well regarded gifted program, and your daughter is moderatly gifted, then you could expect a good result. I'm wondering what you can do to make 6th grade the best it can be. You mentioned that Band camp - musical instruments are great for kids, aren't they?

I wonder if you can ask the Principal to give you the names of bright girls with nice moms who can do some social things together now before school starts?

Did the psychologist have any ideas to keep away the "I'm bored"s during 6th grade?

Best Wishes,
Trinity