Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Need your sincere advise

Our son who just turned 6 in September and goes to first grade, is quite bright and talented. We enrolled him in this highly rated public school and they accepted him for grade I. Within 10 days, we (in fact our son) realized that this is not the place for him and we pulled him out and enrolled him back in his old Montessori school. Though a Montessori, they still have a weekly work plan which is designed for 1st graders. It is quite advanced compared to the public school though but the teachers emphasize on handwriting and ability to sit still more than my son's intellectual need. The teacher admits she has handled gifted children before and too much pressing might be detrimental.
Now on our son a bit, he was tested for CTD(NW University) and he scored a percentile of 99.9 in every aspect. Recently we had to test him with WISC IV and he scored a percentile of >99.9 and a FSIQ of 151. He started reading while 3 and now reads at my level. Out of his own curiosity he has in depth knowledge on things like Geology, Space, Oceanography, American History, Herpetology ( i think in par with the folks in National Geo :-)),Disasters, Periodic Table and basic chemistry, basics of Physics,Nuclear Disasters and their causes and effects, World War, Cold War, Cancer, Genetics .... an I can go on..
He is quite social too and in 7 weeks of Piano, he has startled us all by playing Celine Dion's 'My Heart will go on' with chords ( discovered himself, without notations or books). He is presently deep into study of Mythology and Impressionism and wants a canvas as he wants to paint in Renoir's style!
I know he has potential and more so, I don't want him to undergo the 7 hour torture every day. And my biggest worry, he is now trying to adjust to the class and unlearn stuff !
We cannot home school as both of need to work to make ends meet. We enrolled him in Mensa and EPGY Math.
Apologies for a long note, but I really want some advise on how we can keep him motivated to perform at his potential. We live in Western suburbs of Chicago.

Seems like you already have your foot in the door at the right place. CTD is more than just a summer program. I'd contact them about their other support offerings, and they'd likely be familiar with the better Chicago area opportunities.

http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/parents/

I notice they have a Saturday program.

this is just a thought ... but since you're already paying a pretty hefty amount for the full day Montessori school (at least in my area that would be a lot of $ and I'm in Northwest suburbs of Chicago close to the WI border), how about finding and paying someone who has an in-home daycare or who homeschools their child and would homeschool your child as well and actually would be able to gear it towards your son's needs? I haven't checked into it in depth yet but I don't think it has to be a parent in IL that homeschools, or does it?

I live in the western suburbs too! Have you investigated any of the gifted private schools in the area? There is Avery Coonley in Downers Grove, DaVinci Academy in Elgin and Quest in Palatine (but that's probably a bit far away to be practical).

From what you've said, it sounds like neither public school or Montessori is going to be a good fit for your child. I don't know alot about these schools, but they may be a reasonable option to consider for your ds if you can afford the tuition.

Thanks a lot for your information on Davidson Young Scholars. I will apply for the same soon and hope it will be very helpful.

We have started talking to two of the schools you have suggested. We plan to decide on one of these if they have an opening. If anyone has more feedback on the Avery Coonley and their ability to really provide individual based progressive education will be helpful.
Thanks a lot.

I am interested in anyone with info on Avery Coonley as well! I have looked into Quest (not impressed) and DaVinci (even less impressed then I was with Quest).

IllinoisParent, I also have a son in first grade in a public school... Northwest burbs. We are trying to hold out until third grade and a wonderful magnet program our district offers.

Hi frannieandejsmom,
I too visited Da Vinci and was not too impressed. Which district are you in? Our district has a gifted program but I am not sure if it will good for my son. I need to find something for next year. So, if you receive any info on AC or others please pass on. Thanks a lot.

we are in d54 - schaumburg area

While my experience with Avery Coonley is from another era (class of '83), at that time they were highly individualized in mathematics, language arts/rhetoric, and art in particular. Standards were high across the board - in the 1990s the school was excluded from the Illinois State Science Fair after placing first too many times in a row. The progressive traditions also ran very deep, with handiwork, music, and outdoor education integral to the curriculum at all levels.

I'm jealous of you "down south"! ... our "best" option is moving up north 4 miles to Wisconsin to get free online public homeschool or at least a spot in a public school in a state that has some FUNDING for gifted ed, unlike Illinois ... We're Lake Villa school district ... either the district public school where we belong or one of the few catholic schools nearby.

Thanks everyone for your insights. I will really appreciate if someone can provide more information on the progressive nature of education specifically in the Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, IL. I sometimes feel that tours with the school coordinator is not everything that one needs to understand.
Is it improper to ask for name/profile/discussion with the class teachers he will see at least in the next 2-3 years. Moving schools is tough on the kid and I am trying to make the right decision. And with the $s I need to spend if we start going here, I want to be at least 80% correct

Hi frannieandejsmom,
I'm also interested in info about these schools. Would you feel comfortable explaining what you did not like about Quest and DaVinci. Also do you have any info on the Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines or Elgin Academy?

Thankss for any info

Both DaVinci and Quest did not follow up after inquiries that were made to both schools. I spoke with oth several times and asked for more information to be mailed. I was set to take a tour of Quest but never received the information. DaVinci didn't return phone calls after an initial phone conversation. DS has qualifying scores for all the local privates. He would qualify for subject acceleration for math + 2 years at the schools...possibly be grade accelerated.

Thank you for the info. That's interesting. I went to DaVinci for a couple of parent educational talks last fall, and my two boys went to a week long summer chess club this past summer. I had mixed feelings, and I have been thinking about getting more info from the school. Thanks again for you info.

I did evaluate both and visit both. Da Vinci's tour was provided by an admissions coordinator and the one in Avery Coonley was done by a parent. Sincerely, it was such a great way to tour as we got insights, real feedback, discussions on both pros and cons. I believe the one in Da Vinci was more of a sales talk.
AC also gave us opportunity to observe classes in session, talk to a few teachers (those who were in classes). Though AC also is curriculum based, I believe they do cater to individualized needs.Based on what I have seen till now, I will go for AC if I get invited to both places.
The work and projects of students that saw in various grades were pretty impressive in AC.
I still don't feel that any school is geared to handle a profoundly gifted kid (of the ones I have seen and talked to). Its the teacher and I am just hoping for the best..

This thread is older but I'm resurrecting it due to finding it on an internet search. I have 2 PG kids that are both DYS. We enrolled the younger one in Quest this year for Jr. High after a disastrous few years in the public school. She absolutely loves this school and is thriving. Besides a strong academic program they offer a drama class and the ability to take two languages. While she could be further accelerated academically, I feel we would have a similar issue at any of the private schools for gifted. Additionally, it's not all about how fast they can get through the curriculum, I don't have a goal of sending them to college before age 16 and would prefer to see both girls attend college at the natural age. Quest is like a family and the first place that my child has felt accepted and truly liked by both the students and teachers/staff. I haven't actually seen her so happy since before she started pre-school, until Quest. For anyone looking for a private school, it's best to do your research, talk to parents and solidify what it is you are actually looking for, for your child. Each of these schools has different personalities and quirks, just like our children. Quest is a fantastic fit for my youngest but would probably not work out well for my oldest. Best of luck to anyone searching for the right fit. When you get it right, it can be amazing. Also, keep in mind that the admissions people know their schools very well. They may encourage or discourage pursuing admissions based on their intimate knowledge of the schools they work for. This should not be taken personally. They really are passionate about what they do and need to make decisions based on what is best for the population of the school and are taking your child's well being into consideration also. If you don't get a call back from a school you are interested, it doesn't mean it's a bad school. Keep looking til you find the right fit for your child and they will end up in the right place, happy and successful!