Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Regions Florida: Pine View vs Pinellas Center for Gifted

Hi everybody,

Does anybody have an opinion of Pine View school vs full-time Center for Gifted Studies in Pinellas county? We are now in Pinellas but may consider moving to Sarasota for the 2nd grade next year.

I understand that it is school in school program only in Pinellas. Other than that, can Pine View offer something more, how are the teachers?

Is it difficult to get admitted into Pine View 2nd grade, assuming you meet IQ test limit, is there some waiting list or extra requirements that can't be met by everybody? Do they have additional limits on academic achievement test results and grades as these may be not perfect?

I have no first hand information. The internet tells me via google that Pine View school only teaches one grade ahead of the rest of the schools.
http://www.greatschools.org/florida/osprey/6633-Pine-View-School/
This article online is bathmouthing them, and it's the first time I've heard of the school. They say only 2.2% of the students in the world score the cut off scores for the school, but
in Sarasota County, 5.2% of students meet this standard, or more than twice what is statistically expected. of certain types of families . It could be sour grapes or the Lake Woebegone effect, or pilgrimages looking for the greener pastures. (see link below)
http://www.yourobserver.com/news/sa...y-View-Pine-View-School-gifted-or-gilded

If you look at the comments in that link you'll see a Pine View parent saying that it is a rigorous program that it's easier to get into Pine View than to stay in Pine View, so, if you're fudging to get in you'll be struggling. But that first link from Great Schools explains the school teaches just one year ahead. That might or might not be enough. Their selling point is the culture of excellence, that it's ok to be "the smart kid". They also produce National Merit Scholars which is the quality seal of a good school.


so, there's your answer- it's easier to get in than stay in that school. the second link has a lot of comments from PineView students and parents.

I had read the article but I certainly don't think that 2.2% world score should apply to Sarasota County. I would assume that IQ scores have uneven distribution across the world and neighborhoods. If some people move to Sarasota County just because of the school, I think the county should be happy about it in the long run, even if an average student costs them a bit more than average property tax in the county. But it isn't my business really. I think comments below the article tell all about the credibility of the article <grin>.

It isn't that we are fudging to get in, but some of the admission requirements are a bit vague. And it looks they are reluctant to talk about details until you are county resident and prepare all paperwork, and it is major expense. I'll try their campus "preview" of course but it is scheduled close to admission deadlines when you should be relocated already.

I would probably try scheduling a visit or asking for a phone conference, with whom I'm not sure. Maybe you can call the secretary and ask her who can answer your questions and ask for a phone appointment with them. Follow up with a visit for the preview.

FWIW, my DD attends a full-day public gifted magnet that advertises that students work one grade ahead. This is pretty accurate. In her current grade, some students are working about 6 months ahead in math and the rest are one grade ahead. AFAIK, no additional math enrichment is offered. In reading, they have read books that are approximately on grade level to books 3 to 4 grade levels ahead. One good aspect of the school is a major emphasis on special projects, which are designed to allow motivated students to produce work that is very detailed and elaborate, if they so choose. The students also have a lot of great field trips and special programs. However, there seems to be an expectation that because they are gifted, they can handle a crushing homework load and are also more emotionally mature and organized. As we know, there is zero reason to assume the latter. The workload is stressful and sometime I miss DD's old school, where HW took her 5-10 minutes.

The greatest benefit of the school for DD has probably been social. She is far more socially integrated and popular than at her old school. The other kids share many of her interests and many are also just as quirky as she is. Also, I feel it has been good for her to be exposed to students who are as bright or brighter than she is.