Schools/programs for gifted children (Chicago, Aurora: houses, magnet schools, mall)

[ellaz]

Hello. We may be relocating to the Chicago area within the next 9 months. My son is highly gifted and I was wondering if anyone had experience with schools or programs for gifted children. Any schools/programs you would recommend or any that we should avoid?
Thanks!

[briicklady]

hi, i myself am currently researching schools for my gifted son. ones im familiar with that are good are, Latin, Whitney Young, Illinois Math & Science Academy. ones im looking into are: Quest Academy, Avery Coonley School. Try greatschools.net.

[Manigault]

The question is if you want a public or a private or a parochial school. I think we can also mention UC Lab, Francis Parker, Walter Payton, St. Ignatius, Mount Carmel, St. Scholastica, Lane Tech, Lindblom, and several others. Some of the schools are stronger in science programs than others and some are strong in the arts. Some are highly diverse; some are a bit elitist. These are city schools -- the schools also vary widely outside of Chicago.

[rneu152]

Check out the Chicago Public School (CPS) website. Each area in CPS has a gifted school which students have to test into. Also certain schools have gifted programs. The North and Northwest side of the city may be your best bets.

[Manigault]

There are many gifted school programs and magnet schools on the south side of Chicago, also. If you want your child to be in walking distance to a gifted program you should consider Hyde Park.

[franniegrey]

check out the Galileo Math and Science academy and the Jackson Language academy
They are both elementary schools

[ramirami]

Originally Posted by briicklady

hi, i myself am currently researching schools for my gifted son. ones im familiar with that are good are, Latin, Whitney Young, Illinois Math & Science Academy. ones im looking into are: Quest Academy, Avery Coonley School. Try greatschools.net.

so which school did you decide on? I am currently very interested in Avery Coonley

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by briicklady

hi, i myself am currently researching schools for my gifted son. ones im familiar with that are good are, Latin, Whitney Young, Illinois Math & Science Academy. ones im looking into are: Quest Academy, Avery Coonley School. Try greatschools.net.

I've looked at some of these schools also. Here's my impression:

Latin (and many other Chicago Independent schools) is more of a progressive, liberal arts education based on constructivist theory (as opposed to more traditional educational theory). If your student excels at language, art, music, this may be an excellent choice. However, many of these schools use the Chicago Math (a language based math program that slowed down my son who is highly gifted in math).

IMSA is a highly selective 10th-12th grade public boarding school in Aurora. I know one graduate who still resents his parents for sending him to a boarding school for 3 years (even though it's a highly regarded school).

Quest is advertised as a private, gifted prek-8 school. It's in Palatine in a strip mall parking lot. There is very little area (indoor or outdoor) for recess, gym, etc. (that happens to be important to us). I know kids who graduated from Quest and didn't even make the honors courses at nearby Stevenson H.S. (an excellent H.S. BTW).

I never toured Avery Coonley but I have friends there who love it. It's quite expensive though.

I did tour the Science and Arts Academy in Des Plaines and was very impressed by it. It was one of the few schools that truly offered an individualized gifted curriculum where all students switched classes based on ability (not age level). The only downside was, like Quest, the school is on a small lot and has a tiny gym. I don't think there is much of a sports program either (again, very important to my son).

Just some of my impressions... Good Luck.

[Petronilla]

I attended Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Centre (south side Chicago Public school). It has since moved and I do not recall where, but when I attended it was a transit school and most of the students were bused in, regardless of area of residence. The education was absoutely fantastic... usually three grade levels ahead or so. And it was free of course!

[cdc3217]

Ridge Academy in Chicago at 103rd & Maplewood goes 1st - 8th. Heard its good with gifted students and individualized learning. They have quite a dog-and-pony show at the open houses.