Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Gifted Education Options In Massachusetts?

Can anyone offer suggestions on schools or programs for elementary age children?

The Sage School in Foxboro, MA is the place. Others are either just starting, not complete in resources, or curriculum and frankly, not worth my money. Sage on the other hand, has been around about 25 years, is Pre-K through 8th grade. The curriculum and the teachers are what makes this school shine. A must for academically gifted if you truly want a "gifted education" without homeschooling. They understand the needs, no more explaining, offer music, art, latin, spanish, dance/movement, etc. and of course their mainstay-the academics. Your kids will learn how to write while studying history, learn how to think and work in groups. There are two teachers to each classroom, not a main teacher and a subordinate, but two real gifted teachers per classroom. The classrooms have low numbers, so the intensity of the curriculum and activities is high. It was a perfect match for my gifted kid. What I think that I can say to any parent with a truly gifted kid is that my kid is excited every day to go to school, he has a great time, and really enjoys school. He already enjoys learning, but as parents, we appreciate that Sage School has kept the spark alive for my son.
Good luck with your search.

Sage School is in Foxboro. That's great if you live in the vicinity, but it's difficult to drive to if you live north or west or further to the south of Boston. It's also quite expensive, which may be another strike against it. About three years ago, I spoke to a parent who had a son who went there and is now at Lexington HS; he was on the fence about whether Sage School was worth it or not.

My 2e/pg ds8 attended two of the gifted schools listed on Hoagies - http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/schools.htm. One was more traditional and structured. The other was not. There were advantages and disadvantages to both of them. It really depends on the child, the level of giftedness, the teachers, the curriculum, the other students, any 2e issues, and on and on. A lot of variables.

All of these gifted schools seem to cater to a certain or specific population and that's great if your child fits their niche, but not so hot if they don't.

We're un/homeschooling ds8 now. There are a number of parents who are un/homeschooling gifted kids because they don't have the money to pay for these gifted schools; and/or they don't live within driving distance to one of them.

Do any of the public schools in northern MA have gifted programs?