Best "gifted" program in Boston suburbs?

[findingmesomeday]

Try Medfield, Westwood, Dover/Sherborn and Lincoln/Sudbury for good schools--though I'm not sure any of those towns will offer up much on the diversity piece.

[chowder]

Massachusetts ranks pretty low on the list of states offering gifted education. I do know, however, that Brookline used to offer gifted pull-out classes. And while Lexington does not, I have heard that the teachers there are sensitive to the special learning needs of academically advanced children - and offer gifted friendly after-school programs such as Destination Imagination. Differentiation is not, in my opinion, terribly effective particularly given public school MCAS requirements. We ended up sending some of our children to a private Montessori school - which has served their learning needs very well.

Hope that helps!

[clevedark]

There is a school for gifted children in Foxborough--I'm not 100% sure of the name but I think it's The Sage School?

I know about it not because my children are geniuses, but because I have a friend whose daughter is. She sent her there for a few years, but then took her out because she wanted her to be able to relate to regular people and not just other, driven genius kids. She put her in the Hanover school system, and they've all been very happy. They supplement for her at home. Luckily the dad is a genius, too.

After getting to know my friend and the issues surrounding having a kid who is so smart, I have sympathy for parents because it's quite a responsibility. (And tough when your kid is smarter than you are!)

We are in the Brookline system and in upper grades (4 and up) there is some kind of a pull out program, but I have no experience with it. I also know that kids can be moved to upper grade math classes, etc., if the parents want. Classes are split into high, middle, and low, but your child is outside that grid.

If I were you I'd call the principal of the school you're looking at and ask about the program. Or if you don't know which school (there are 8 k-8 schools) try the superintendent's office.

Good luck.

[leavestheturtle]

Framingham has the SAGE program. It starts in second or third grade. But it is only once per week , better than nothing, but not really good enough. Waltham has specialists for gifted in the elementary schools ( I used to work there,).

[bryan6]

I don't know about gifted students, but for special needs students Kingston, Ma and the Silver Lake District have a very good program. I graduated from the high school a few years back, and worked with the classes directly and can tell you that they do a great job. I also believe that their program was recognized by the state but I could be mistaken. Kingston is farther from Boston than any of the other towns you mentioned, about a 45 minute drive to the city and 30 minutes from Cape Cod. It's far enough from the city life to be a relaxed town while still being close enough to go when you want to.