Gifted vs. Magnet

[austinnerd]

@jennibc said:

"The truth is middle school really doesn't matter that much."

I don't completely agree with this statement. I can attest first hand that having a strong middle school background can go a long way towards allowing students to hit high school running. As an example, many kids who graduate from Paragon Prep enter high school with several high school credits already under their belts (e.g. geometry, health, speech, language, etc) as well as learning the skills to tackle Pre-AP classes as freshman (I've heard from several students that the Paragon class was more difficult than a corresponding Pre-AP class).

That's not to say that students who didn't go down that path won't do as well, not at all. It's just that there can be value in having a strong middle school experience. And if you want to look forward towards college, then having the ability to front load your classes and either delving deeper into academic classes or having more time to focus on those extracurricular activities that colleges place so much importance in these days, then being more strategic about one's middle school choice can provide more options.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by austinnerd

@jennibc said:

"The truth is middle school really doesn't matter that much."

I don't completely agree with this statement. I can attest first hand that having a strong middle school background can go a long way towards allowing students to hit high school running. As an example, many kids who graduate from Paragon Prep enter high school with several high school credits already under their belts (e.g. geometry, health, speech, language, etc) as well as learning the skills to tackle Pre-AP classes as freshman (I've heard from several students that the Paragon class was more difficult than a corresponding Pre-AP class).

That's not to say that students who didn't go down that path won't do as well, not at all. It's just that there can be value in having a strong middle school experience. And if you want to look forward towards college, then having the ability to front load your classes and either delving deeper into academic classes or having more time to focus on those extracurricular activities that colleges place so much importance in these days, then being more strategic about one's middle school choice can provide more options.

Let me qualify my earlier statement. It doesn't matter what public middle school you choose. It will not affect your kid's college options at all.

[em2018]

I a little bit late but just had a child complete 3 years at Fulmore and is going to LASA in a few weeks. He got into both Kealing and Fulmore but was/is interested in law and politics. Each child is different. Fulmore was an amazing experience for us. It's a smaller magnet program. They were able to tailor his experience and give him more attention. He excelled academically and became more social. I am curious where you child ended up. Best of luck to you both!