Gifted Schools in the Twin Cities? (St. Paul, Bloomington: neighborhood, magnet schools, live)

[Whome?]

Hi!

Before I continue, I'd like to ask that we not turn this into a debate about the need for gifted schools, or, the politics, the budgets, your own personal beliefs about the topic, any of that. I only say that because searching this forum, I've noticed that previous threads have devolved quickly.

The situation: Our family is considering a move back to the MN. Our oldest son is currently in a dedicated, public gifted school where we live. It's been wonderful for him and the way he learns, the social issues, sensitivity and all those things that go along with the way his brain works! We're hoping to find something similar in the Twin Cities.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about the programs that exist around town? We're open to being a ways out of the city if we need to (either city).

My initial searching has revealed some magnet schools (Capitol Hill, for example). Does anyone have experience with schools like that? How difficult is it to get into (lottery-wise)? Is it a crap shoot?

What about neighborhood schools? How good are the principles and teachers at helping kids who have wide disparities in abilities? How are the attitudes toward "high achieving" kids? Are they bullied?

Any experiences or info you can give me would be very helpful.

Thank you!

[Family of five]

I can add two bits of information about Capitol Hill. It is a gifted and talented magnet only through grade 5. Grades 6-8 is open enrollment, same as any other school. Also, just because you qualify for Capitol Hill in grades 1-5, that does not guarantee admission. All the kids who test in are entered into a lottery.

I don't know of any other gifted and talented schools.

[MnMomma]

Gifted is relative, as you know. What qualifies for gifted in some public schools is normal in others. I'm not saying this as any sort of judgement on your children or program, but it's hard to have a conversation about the topic without noting this.

That said, Bloomington is supposed to have a good program.

I've found that smaller private schools have been a good fit for us. The social aspects are great (my kids are respected for their academic abilities by both teachers and peers) and the teachers can provide more individualized attention and more advanced curriculum.

[Whome?]

Originally Posted by MnMomma

Gifted is relative, as you know. What qualifies for gifted in some public schools is normal in others. I'm not saying this as any sort of judgement on your children or program, but it's hard to have a conversation about the topic without noting this.

That said, Bloomington is supposed to have a good program.

I've found that smaller private schools have been a good fit for us. The social aspects are great (my kids are respected for their academic abilities by both teachers and peers) and the teachers can provide more individualized attention and more advanced curriculum.

Of course. I'm starting under the assumption that his evaluation in MN will be similar to where we are, because, well, for now, that's all I can do.

Can you mention any specific smaller private schools that have been good?

Thanks.

[cheddar]

Gifted is relative. At some public elementary schools, the majority of kindergartners are eligible for Capitol Hill. Many don't apply because they want to stay in their neighborhood. Compared to some of the other good elem schools in St. Paul, Capitol Hill seems to have better band. On the other hand, at least a few years ago the students started foreign language a year later.

[Kebinminn]

The Lighthouse School in Spring Lake Park. It's done by application and interview. I know someone with kids there and her son, who struggled in her local public school, has done well there.

My personal experience with Hopkins school has been good. My son did one year in a school that was horrible for him, he was so far advanced he was years ahead of his peers. I moved him to Hopkins schools and he was no longer the best and brightest at anything, there's plenty of extremely intelligent kids there. They have a full time GT coordinator. I would recommend that district for kids who are in the moderately gifted range. I'd still seek out a dedicated gifted school if he is the high achiever with an IQ in the 140+ range. My son also received special education services and they have done a great job at maintaining balance of the sped needs and gifted needs.

I would look into joining MCGT (Minnesota Council of Gifted and Talented). The parents there are all over the area and can offer you personal experiences at several different schools.

[cheddar]

Also check out programs offered by MN Institute for Talented Youth.

[uptown_urbanist]

My son qualifies for gifted programs, but is in a regular classroom at a magnet Montessori school. I don't know about "regular" neighborhood schools, but in Montessori the focus is on mixed ages to begin with, with a philosophy that makes it easy for kids to work at their own level. His teachers have been great, too, and very aware of his individual educational progress and needs. He's certainly not the only smart kid in his classroom, and being picked on for being smart has never been a concern (I've been more concerned that he's very aware of who the " smart" kids are, and we've had some talks about how there are different types of intelligence, that people learn at different rates, etc.) Now if you have a highly gifted child working at a drastically higher level then you may need to look into a specialized program, but at least at our school, I think the needs of most G & T kids can be met.

If looking at housing, I'd pay attention to the junior and especially high schools, and see if they offer enough options for advanced courses.

[Whome?]

Originally Posted by Kebinminn

The Lighthouse School in Spring Lake Park. It's done by application and interview. I know someone with kids there and her son, who struggled in her local public school, has done well there.

My personal experience with Hopkins school has been good. My son did one year in a school that was horrible for him, he was so far advanced he was years ahead of his peers. I moved him to Hopkins schools and he was no longer the best and brightest at anything, there's plenty of extremely intelligent kids there. They have a full time GT coordinator. I would recommend that district for kids who are in the moderately gifted range. I'd still seek out a dedicated gifted school if he is the high achiever with an IQ in the 140+ range. My son also received special education services and they have done a great job at maintaining balance of the sped needs and gifted needs.

I would look into joining MCGT (Minnesota Council of Gifted and Talented). The parents there are all over the area and can offer you personal experiences at several different schools.

Thank you! Very helpful!

[Whome?]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

My son qualifies for gifted programs, but is in a regular classroom at a magnet Montessori school. I don't know about "regular" neighborhood schools, but in Montessori the focus is on mixed ages to begin with, with a philosophy that makes it easy for kids to work at their own level. His teachers have been great, too, and very aware of his individual educational progress and needs. He's certainly not the only smart kid in his classroom, and being picked on for being smart has never been a concern (I've been more concerned that he's very aware of who the " smart" kids are, and we've had some talks about how there are different types of intelligence, that people learn at different rates, etc.) Now if you have a highly gifted child working at a drastically higher level then you may need to look into a specialized program, but at least at our school, I think the needs of most G & T kids can be met.

If looking at housing, I'd pay attention to the junior and especially high schools, and see if they offer enough options for advanced courses.

That's good to know, thank you!