Gifted Kid in Public School? (Denver, Westminster: real estate, neighborhood, school district) - City-Data Forum

newtodenver/boulder · 09-30-2011, 06:19 AM

We are looking at a move to the Boulder area due to a job offer for my husband. The job itself is in Louisville so we could really live in a variety of towns. As I am trying to think about where to live I want to consider schools for the kids as a first priority. I understand that there is open registration for schools in the Boulder school system. My oldest daughter is in a gifted program in her current public school where she is in a dedicated classroom full time. My middle child would be tested for that program this year and I have been told that he would qualify based on his current progress. We also have a 3rd child who is now in pre-K. Although the Denver and Boulder school systems have gifted programing available, it sounds like it is really up to the individual teachers in regular classrooms to just give the kids some additional work and/or projects, rather than have a dedicated classroom or group assigned to the gifted kids. I have also read some concerning things about the funding and resources available to the public school system to support the gifted programs (in addition to other programs such as special needs). Any guidance on public schools and gifted programs - especially if there is one that is better than another if I can choose? Thanks!

Katiana · 09-30-2011, 07:42 AM

Let me clear something up. Colorado law requires all schools to have open enrollment policies. Each district has their own such policy. Boulder Valley School Disctrict has one of the most "liberal" policies. I emphasize "Valley" b/c the district is more than just the Boulder schools.

Do not count on OE to get your child into the school of your choice. Some schools have limited capacity for OE, as each school has to take care of its attendance area kids first. This is true in every district in the state.

I'm not sure what BVSD is doing right now in the Talented and Gifted area. In years past, there have been pull-out programs, enrichment and the like. By middle/high school, there is grade acceleration, honors classes, IB and AP classes, opportunity to take classes at the local community college and/or CU.

Here is their website:

Boulder Valley School District

You can search the site for "open enrollment" and "talented and gifted".

newtodenver/boulder · 09-30-2011, 08:01 AM

Thanks Katiana. If there is a particular school that is best within BCSD for gifted kids and we moved within its "attendance area" then my kids would be guaranteed a spot there it sounds like. This would be helpful info as we are looking for areas to live. I know that open enrollment is a limited option as well.

I have looked at the website for the school district as well as some general web searching which has shown me that what they say on the website isn't necessarily the reality of what is available to the kids in the classrooms. That is why I am concerned to find the school(s) that may be best within the district. If Denver is a better option (or Louisville or wherever) than I am open to those options as well.

Katiana · 09-30-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtodenver/boulder

Thanks Katiana. If there is a particular school that is best within BCSD for gifted kids and we moved within its "attendance area" then my kids would be guaranteed a spot there it sounds like. This would be helpful info as we are looking for areas to live. I know that open enrollment is a limited option as well.

I have looked at the website for the school district as well as some general web searching which has shown me that what they say on the website isn't necessarily the reality of what is available to the kids in the classrooms. That is why I am concerned to find the school(s) that may be best within the district. If Denver is a better option (or Louisville or wherever) than I am open to those options as well.

Yes, kids in a school's attendance area are *almost* guaranteed a spot in that school. I say almost b/c it is possilbe for an attendance area school to be at capacity and unable to take any more students. This has not been the case in Boulder Valley (not County) for some time, but has happened in the past. I do not believe there are any schools in BVSD that have gifted classrooms for ele students where they stay all day. Louisville is part of the BVSD.

If by Denver you mean the DPS, I doubt it.

Bradburn1 · 09-30-2011, 09:58 AM

Have you looked at Stargate Charter School? . It's a charter school for gifted kids with really excellent programs. I live in Westminster around 120th and Sheridan, very close to Louisville (10 min) and quite a few of my neighbors send their kids to Stargate and really love it. Your child must be tested to gain entry and they have a waiting list, but it might be something for you to check out.

suzco · 09-30-2011, 10:13 AM

You might want to talk to/visit Lafayette Elementary (in Lafayette, part of BVSD). They have a gifted and talented focus program - find out if it might meet your needs.

Lafayette Elementary School

Quote:

School Profile
Lafayette Elementary School provides a rich academic program in a culturally diverse environment. The Boulder Valley School District’s standards-based curriculum is the hallmark of high quality instruction at Lafayette. Students benefit from individualized opportunities made possible by a comprehensive Talented and Gifted focus program. This program is designed to provide personalized instruction for identified gifted students and advanced programming for academically talented students. A full-time talented and gifted coordinator works directly with students, teachers and parents to design educational experiences based upon identified strengths and talents. . .

newtodenver/boulder · 09-30-2011, 04:37 PM

It looks like there is also Westgate Community School listed as a charter school for gifted kids in Adams 12 school district, along with Stargate. Strange that there are 2 charters for gifted kids in this one district and none in Boulder...Hmmm

Bradburn1 · 09-30-2011, 07:35 PM

Actually Adams 12 has three schools for gifted kids--Stargate, Westgate, and Hulstrom

Hulstrom Options K-8 - Homepage

Kids in my neighborhood go to all three and I've heard good things about each. Westgate, although for gifted kids, is for gifted kids who also have other issues such as ADHD.

Boulder doesn't have any? That is surprising. I hear Peak to Peak in Lafayette is excellent though.

newtodenver/boulder · 09-30-2011, 08:28 PM

It seems like a lot of good options exist in Adams 12. Is this a good area to live? I was really thinking we would be looking in Boulder. Would that be considered Broomfield then for real estate purposes?

Katiana · 09-30-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtodenver/boulder

It seems like a lot of good options exist in Adams 12. Is this a good area to live? I was really thinking we would be looking in Boulder. Would that be considered Broomfield then for real estate purposes?

As long as people are talking about "gifted" charter schools, I will mention Peak to Peak in Lafayette, part of BVSD. All charters are admission by lottery. All the neighborhood schools in BVSD have TAG programs similar to Lafayette Elementary.

To answer your question, the western part of Broomfield north of 120th Ave and west of Sheridan Blvd is in the Boulder Valley SD; eastern Broomfield is Adams 12, and the part of Broomfield south of 120th and west of Sheridan is in the Jefferson Co. SD.