Districts with good GT programs (Howe: buy, school, horse)

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by 1girln3boya

I moved here from CA. Our schools were so crappy that I was impressed with HISD.

Reseda schools? Malibu schools? There's a poster on here whose family and friends won't move here from CA because of the inferior schools. Furthermore, as someone in education it embarrasses me when out of staters (mostly from CA) rip our schools to shreds. Also, compare a CA state test (any grade/subject) to a TX state test. It'll blow your mind.

Originally Posted by Lbjen

I just moved here from Illinois and I'm also more impressed with the schools here than I was there. And we were in one of the 'top' districts in the state.

ACA looks interesting but their test scores scare me.

What parts? Are they equivalent? If you are coming from Naperville to FBISD, FBISD isn't likely going to impress you (for example).

Give it time. You'll likely see it my way (although I assure you I truly hope you do not and I am wrong. I would rather be honest through experiences/opinions and results even if I have to bash).

[1girln3boya]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Reseda schools? Malibu schools? There's a poster on here whose family and friends won't move here from CA because of the inferior schools. Furthermore, as someone in education it embarrasses me when out of staters (mostly from CA) rip our schools to shreds. Also, compare a CA state test (any grade/subject) to a TX state test. It'll blow your mind.



What parts? Are they equivalent? If you are coming from Naperville to FBISD, FBISD isn't likely going to impress you (for example).

Give it time. You'll likely see it my way (although I assure you I truly hope you do not and I am wrong. I would rather be honest through experiences/opinions and results even if I have to bash).

We moved from the Bat Area, Fremont to be exact. Our schools didn't have any extra programs like art or music unless there was a volunteer to do it. School days were shorter and there were 3 recesses. It was getting close to closing down school libraries also. They talked us into pulling my oldest out of Kinder bc she was a difficult child, smart but very difficult bc they didn't have time to deal with her. The teacher told us point blank that due to the # of non English speaking students they didn't have time to deal with my daughter who was just a difficult child. The problem was that she was bored and needed extra direction

[Rip808]

I took the "California High School Exit Exam" in 10th grade (Cali's version of the TAKS)...honestly, it was a joke. Two of the easiest exams I have ever taken. I remember being a junior here at was shocked when we had to take four different TAKS exams. In California it was only 2. The sciene was was probably the toughest out of the four but I still passed all four first time. If they were to administer the TAKS test to California students they would struggle with it.

[dillybar]

Late responding but I can weigh in here.

I am very familiar with Clear Creek GT programs. (I previously worked for the district and have children in the programs.) K-3rd includes a once-a-week pullout (1 hour) program - not much. 4th and 5th includes Alpha, which is a once a week program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. For one semester each year, these kids go to UHCL on Wednesdays and study the topic of their choosing (from a list - my kids have done advertising, architecture, and creating an online universe).

The crown jewel, imo, is the WAVE intermediate school program. Kids are immersed in GT only classes (except for electives) in grades 6-8. It was the first time my kid was ever challenged in school and she brought home Bs. I never heard a kid complain it was "easy." They also have outstanding fine arts programs there in addition to lots of extracurriculars (sports, chess, robotics, etc.).

CCISD is pickier than most districts. Kids have to be in the top 2-3% to qualify. Other districts have more lenient requirements - usually top 5% (like Friendswood) -10%. As a result, many parents from those districts mistakenly assume their kids will transfer into CCISD's GT program when they transfer into the district. But that is not sure always the case. CCISD used to be more lenient but then had a state audit that said they were "over-identifying" the GT population. (I think that was about 8-10 years ago.)

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by Rip808

I took the "California High School Exit Exam" in 10th grade (Cali's version of the TAKS)...honestly, it was a joke. Two of the easiest exams I have ever taken. I remember being a junior here at was shocked when we had to take four different TAKS exams. In California it was only 2. The sciene was was probably the toughest out of the four but I still passed all four first time. If they were to administer the TAKS test to California students they would struggle with it.

Sorry for highjacking this thread. I'm always going to believe CA tests are much more difficult, so I'll drop it.

[lakshmimakkapati]

Originally Posted by 1girln3boya

I have a child in GT in Katy. Not sure where you heard it's about status for the parents. Most people don't even know he's in the class unless I mention so not sure what status I have gained from his being in the class. It's a great program. They go all day once a week and learn 3 different topics during the year. This year was Economics, Eco Systems and Energy. During the Economics the kids grouped up and made a business and sold things that they made. They used money earned in class to buy other classmates items and also had to earn money to run the business.
It is hard to get into unlike other districts which places the label on about 1/3 of the students.
I have learned the most parents say stuff like its just for status are the ones that are bitter because their child didn't make it into the program.
In order to make it in your child will have to take a number of tests, parent feed back, and teacher feedback.

Hi ,my daughter is taking GT test since 2 years . she is not qualifying the test with 10 or 8 mark difference every time . any suggestions how to prepare her for the test, any materials for practice .....

[swopoe]

Originally Posted by lakshmimakkapati

Hi ,my daughter is taking GT test since 2 years . she is not qualifying the test with 10 or 8 mark difference every time . any suggestions how to prepare her for the test, any materials for practice .....

You are gifted, in this sense, or you are not. If you have to study for or practice for the test, you are not gifted. Maybe you need to learn what giftedness really is.

[Snazzy1]

If the child is truly "highly gifted" then spring branch ISD has a school for highly gifted kids. Highly gifted is defined by the district as 145 IQ or higher. You must apply soon to get in and there is a wait list.

Edited to add: it doesn't matter where in Spring Branch ISD you live to have your child go to the school but the elementary school is off of I-10 near Bingle and the middle is at Stratford High School. Not sure where you can get a place for that price range though.

[Racehorse Canasta]

Originally Posted by Snazzy1

If the child is truly "highly gifted" then spring branch ISD has a school for highly gifted kids. Highly gifted is defined by the district as 145 IQ or higher. You must apply soon to get in and there is a wait list.

Edited to add: it doesn't matter where in Spring Branch ISD you live to have your child go to the school but the elementary school is off of I-10 near Bingle and the middle is at Stratford High School. Not sure where you can get a place for that price range though.

1 in 350 people has an IQ that high and there's a wait list? I'm thinking the IQ score is lower

[Snazzy1]

Originally Posted by Racehorse Canasta

1 in 350 people has an IQ that high and there's a wait list? I'm thinking the IQ score is lower

It is a school within a school so if you were thinking a normal sized elementary, then you would be correct. They probably enroll only 50 kids. It is housed at Valley Oaks Elementary along side a normal elementary school.