Katy Gifted Program vs. Spring Branch Gifted Program (Houston, West: neighborhood, elementary schools)

[james.mcgill]

I had another post asking for recommendations for gifted programs at Katy elementary schools and received feedback that the Spring Branch gifted program is better.

Can someone help me compare/contract the Katy gifted program vs. Spring Branch?

[crbcrbrgv]

Here is a teacher's perspective. Non-charter public school gifted programs are not made for the truly gifted. They are made for those whose parents perceive their children to be gifted. If you have a gifted child you should place your child in a charter school that feeds into one the Houston ares top magnets programs.

The best public school gifted program in the Houston area is Alief ISD's. It leads to the outstanding Kerr H.S.

[LizzySWW]

SBISD's GT is true GT, it looks at kids with i.q.'s over 136 and then picks the highest achievers of that bunch for the elementary SPIRAL program. It's a one day a week program on the Bendwood Campus behind Town & Country Village. But I agree with Crbcrbgv that a daily GT program is ideal.

Add: SBISD also has more funds than KISD for GT due to the higher tax base in SBISD.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by LizzySWW

SBISD's GT is true GT, it looks at kids with i.q.'s over 136 and then picks the highest achievers of that bunch for the elementary SPIRAL program. It's a one day a week program on the Bendwood Campus behind Town & Country Village. But I agree with Crbcrbgv that a daily GT program is ideal.

Add: SBISD also has more funds than KISD for GT due to the higher tax base in SBISD.

I look at GT a lot differently since I have worked for the public schools for so long, so I would advise the OP to listen to Lizzy, Mom2Feebs or others that live in SBISD. OP, if you want a great analysis of the diverging theories of GT and how they work in different socieoeconomic environments, get back to me. If you want to figure out what's better for your children, go with the opinions of somebody else.

[EasilyAmused]

Finding the IQ level cut off is key I think around Houston.

So many GT classes are for gifted LEARNERS, 120 and above. Smart, hard working kids, but those with IQs over 136 just think differently. Many aren't challenged by the additional busy work thrown at them by many districts.

[darylyh]

If your child is highly GT, then neither program is going to be particularly good for him/her, because both programs are a one-day "pull-out".... meaning the other 4 days a week are spent in the regularly-paced classroom setting.

Our direct experience is only with KISD, and my child absolutely LOVED that one day a week in Challenge, but the rest of the time she was bored blind. We gave up after the second grade and moved her to Rainard (a small private school on the west side) until Jr. High.

[Meyerland]

My daughter is gifted and attended schools in KISD and now an HISD gifted magnet elementary. The pull out for one day a week program was not ideal. We prefer the gifted instruction be integrated in the whole week.

KISD- pull out for one day a week with the gifted teacher, challenging and interesting curriculum, good gifted teachers, each year has new themes that spiral through the years, some regular GT classroom teachers are FANTASTIC and really can meet the needs of your kids...others are not.

HISD neighborhood school program- no pull out, gifted instruction is done in the regular classroom ( if at all), depends heavily on the quality of the teacher

HISD gifted magnet program- most kids in class are gifted or at least very high achieving, faster paced curriculum, lots of problem solving and divergent teaching methods to meet the needs of the kids, Science, Science, Science!

SBISD- We have never attended here, but I know many excellent teachers here. I know they teach small group instruction in the regular class, which can only benefit GT learners. They are always on the forefront of giving quality in-services and teaching techniques to their staff.

Alief ISD- GREAT program if you can stomach the area. Even though it is a wonderful program, I would not send my daughter there.

[Houston321]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Here is a teacher's perspective. Non-charter public school gifted programs are not made for the truly gifted. They are made for those whose parents perceive their children to be gifted. If you have a gifted child you should place your child in a charter school that feeds into one the Houston ares top magnets programs.

The best public school gifted program in the Houston area is Alief ISD's. It leads to the outstanding Kerr H.S.

Couldn't agree more. Truth is, the word "gifted" is certainly used way too much. Most of these kids are smart kids, no doubt. But gifted? I also have had a lot of experience with the programs. You want gifted children? Pacal, Beethoven, Picasso, Mozart, Sidis, Chopin...etc.

[ToyYot]

I think the schools get pushed by the parents to get their kids away from the riff raff and that's how they appease them.

And then there are schools like West U. Not a lot of riff raff there, but 52% G&T? 632 kids or half the school?? You've got to be kidding me. Meadow Wood in SBISD is 18 kids or 4% and I've seen the Katy schools range from 5% - 10%. Must be something in the water in the loop.

[Lbjen]

Isn't West U a Vanguard gifted though? Meaning kids apply to send their gifted kids there specifically for the gifted program? The problem with HISD magnet gifted programs is they're so hard to get in to, especially after kindergarten.