Merle Sidener Gifted Academy question (Carmel, Zionsville: magnet school, live, relocation)

[SnoBaby]

Has anyone on this forum had direct experience with this school? I understand admission is based on testing, so I don't need information on that aspect. I am curious what actual students/families have to say about the teaching staff, the educational experience, etc. When I am able to visit Indy prior to our move, I'll be able to take a tour, but I just wanted any additional information I could get in the meantime.

Thanks.

[luzclara]

My daughter has been at Sidener since it opened. We switched to Sidener from a private school.

I've been very happy with her teachers except for one grade level teacher and the art teacher (who has since been replaced).

Academically it's been a good fit, and the school is set up to teach children at different levels. For example, there was the option this year of algebra, pre-algebra I or pre-algebra II. They tested the kids last spring and made recommendations based on the results. Parents were then free to place their children as they and their children felt would be appropriate.

Socially, the upside is that kids there run the gamut, but they all seem to be pretty accepting of each other (I remember telling a teacher when I was in school that I wished I weren't "gifted" because it made me an outcast). The downside is that the school draws from the entire district, so chances are your child won't be making friends at school who live nearby.

[SnoBaby]

I know exactly what you mean about feeling like an outcast in school. I was the girl who apparently intimidated all the boys because I was smart (I just thought they were indifferent to me altogether). I spent my time reading instead of fawning over boys. It would have been nice to be surrounded by kids who shared my intellectual interests rather than found them odd or intimidating.

My girls are in private school now in Texas. I had been looking into Carmel/Zionsville for possible relocation/public schooling options, and then came across Sidener. It's at the top of my list now of schools to visit when I make my first trip up there.

Thank you again for the response.

[Chernandez0684]

My daughter has been there for 3 years, and I have to say she loves it and am very pleased with their academics. Personally we haven't had any issues and they are very understanding and welcoming.

[newtoindy2015]

Can anyone speak to the amount of homework? I toured Sidener when we were looking at schools, and the person who gave me the tour told me that older grades had around 2 hours of homework a night. We ended up choosing a magnet school that I thought would be a better fit for my older son and that allowed my kids to be at the same school.