Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Experience with Core Knowledge Charters?

Hi there,

In my continuing effort to find a better school situation for my son, I went to see one of the local charter schools today. At least verbally, they seem VERY open to subject acceleration (current school won't even consider it).

The charter said that, though they would hesitate to put DS7 in junior high classes (the school is K-8), they would in no way hesitate to give him junior high work. They also talked about the availability of independent projects and the possibility of hiring tutors in the event that he surpasses what they are able to teach. They also said they have a fifth grader who is HG and they hired him a computer programming tutor.

When I asked if they have spaces right now, they said they do not have any in second grade but do have one in third. When I asked if DS could move to third, they didn't say no. Instead, they said we would have to discuss it and get all of the documentation in order. Since DS has already taken the WISC IV and the WJIII, that shouldn't be too challenging.

Given that DS7s current principal is categorically opposed to any sort of acceleration, and given that DS is begging for more difficult work, the charter is starting to sound pretty good.

Does anyone out there have any experience with the Core Knowledge Curriculum? Or with charter schools? How about any experience in a K-8? I'm really looking for any feedback here as I think I will have to make a decision on whether to pursue pushing for third grade pretty quickly.

Thanks in advance!

jeni

Hi jeni,

A school that is willing to teach your DS at his pace and bring in tutors if needed sound great. I would ask more about how the school interprets and carries out the Core Knowledge Curriculum in their school. What is the atmosphere in the charter school like? Also if your child will be moving through material quickly and the school is K-8 do they have access to high school materials when he gets through the K-8 stuff or will the tutoring be relevant to the high school curriculum and future collage plans or more independent study with a mentor?

Here is a link I found. core knowledge.

Hi Jeni,

I really really like the Core Knowledge books. It's a well-rounded, "classical" education that includes the core subjects (Math, L.A., History, & Science) but also has fine arts, music, and thematic connections (when they learn American History, they'll make quilts in art). If you don't have the Core Knowledge books, go to the library or buy one from a bookstore to check it out.

It sounds like a good school. Good Luck!

I used to teach at a Core Knowledge Magnet school for 6 years and I LOVED the Core Knowledge curriculum. I have taught many different kinds of curriculum and this one was in my opinion the most fluid and made sense. I really enjoyed coming up with the creative lessons and it allowed the teachers freedom and led itself to mixing reading/social studies/science/the arts extremely well. The classics are taught along with famous quotes and their meanings (do unto others.... is just one of the many we taught in K) It flowed from year to year and built on itself. I only taught kindergarten and would hit on many principals that were later expanded on in each grade...I would do a lot of reading on Core Knowledge to make sure they are a "true" Core Knowledge school....there are lots of charters out there saying they are but they only touch on a few of the basics of CK. You can check out the main Core Knowledge site out to also see if the Core KNowledge foundation sees that school as a CK school
http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/schools/index.htm

I loved teaching at my old magnet school SO much because of this awesome curriculum - I drove 1 hour each way to get to work for 6 years because of how much I enjoyed it.When my little guy was born, it got to be too much of a drive and had to switch counties :-( Lots of luck