How does gifted program work for new student? (Boca Raton, Wellington: to rent, house)

[eastwestmom]

We just found out we are moving to Boca Raton - will probably be renting to start. I've been reading about the great elem schools - can someone educate me how/when you determine/test for whether your child belongs in a gifted program? We are coming from a parochial school in Baltimore where no such thing exists. We aim to move early summer and enroll for fall 2010.

Should I look for a house in a zone of one of the schools thas has a G/T program and then figure it out? I don't want to have to switch her school once she's enrolled. And of course I don't know for sure she'd qualify - I just know she's in top reading group, and her school here tends to work a grade ahead on math.

Also - if you happen to know of a good preschool for a 4 year old...(turning 4 in May)

Thanks!

[eastwestmom]

Anyone?
How does application/evaluation for gifted program work for new student? We'll be starting our dd in 3rd grade Fall '10

Originally Posted by eastwestmom

We just found out we are moving to Boca Raton - will probably be renting to start. I've been reading about the great elem schools - can someone educate me how/when you determine/test for whether your child belongs in a gifted program? We are coming from a parochial school in Baltimore where no such thing exists. We aim to move early summer and enroll for fall 2010.

Should I look for a house in a zone of one of the schools thas has a G/T program and then figure it out? I don't want to have to switch her school once she's enrolled. And of course I don't know for sure she'd qualify - I just know she's in top reading group, and her school here tends to work a grade ahead on math.

Also - if you happen to know of a good preschool for a 4 year old...(turning 4 in May)

Thanks!

[Mattie]

Our experience (several years ago), was that the elementary school did not accept my son's gifted designation from NJ. They wouldn't even place him in the advanced class, because they were "full", at the time. He basically lost almost a year of advancement. In the end it didn't matter, he was still ahead of his classmates once the FCAT scores came out and showed he had excelled in all categories. The next year he was moved into gifted.

The schools will do an assessment, but you will probably have to wait until she takes the FCAT and her scores are tabulated. If she doesn't stand out, she will not be tested.

[Desdemona25]

My dd moved from a private school to public in 2nd grade. She was tested while still in 1st grade and moved into the gifted program when she started public school in 2nd grade.

As for out of state, your daughter might be stuck in a non-gifted program from the end of the first grading period up until Christmas break. I know someone who had moved their family down from VA in 2008. Their eldest dd was in a gifted program there, but they had to wait for the school down here to test her in order for her to be admitted to the program. The school even tried telling them that they'd have to spend the money for their child to be privately tested. Ummm...NO! So whichever school you go to, don't let them tell you that. In the end, she ended up switching to a new school for the gifted program after just settling into a new school after having moved from VA. I didn't like that for her but she was SOOO much happier being in the gifted program.

If you wish to not have to move your child once they pass the testing, then stick with finding a place to rent in the attendance zones for either Del Prado Elementary, Waters Edge Elementary or Addison Mizner Elementary. Those are the 3 gifted centers in Boca.

As for preschools, I've heard good things about West Glades Montessori (I believe that's the name). It's located on Cain Blvd. just north of Glades Road. We were very pleased with Primary Learning Place when my daughter attended there. Also, the parochial based schools around here have excellent programs. St. Jude is one that is coming to mind.

Good luck on your search!

[eastwestmom]

Thanks so much to both of you - very good info.

I love this website!

[Swimmom32]

Originally Posted by eastwestmom

Thanks so much to both of you - very good info.

I love this website!

Check out Verde Elem as well for gifted and Calusa...both in Boca as well...

[BocaJones]

With regard to preschools:
if your child is 4 they qualify for VPK (=state pays for 3 hrs of school/day. you cover the cost difference if you require full day).
Full day: you can't beat the price at the YMCA-Boca preschool. But register for the YMCA VPK program at the MaeVolen Center (everything is new at this ancillary site and not well known!).
Half Day(free VPK): The Childrens House Montessori Preschool. BIG thumbs up!

[5dubbs]

Originally Posted by eastwestmom

We just found out we are moving to Boca Raton - will probably be renting to start. I've been reading about the great elem schools - can someone educate me how/when you determine/test for whether your child belongs in a gifted program? We are coming from a parochial school in Baltimore where no such thing exists. We aim to move early summer and enroll for fall 2010.

Should I look for a house in a zone of one of the schools thas has a G/T program and then figure it out? I don't want to have to switch her school once she's enrolled. And of course I don't know for sure she'd qualify - I just know she's in top reading group, and her school here tends to work a grade ahead on math.

Also - if you happen to know of a good preschool for a 4 year old...(turning 4 in May)

Thanks!

Hello--We were in a similar situation as you last year when we moved to Wellington from CT. My son was also in a parochial school in CT. We had him privately tested the summer we moved here. You can find psychiatrists who advertise "gifted testing." My son qualified so he was able to start in the gifted program right away and not wait for the school to test him after the school year started. I can't remember the exact amount, but I think it cost between $200 and $300. For us it was worth it to ensure he wouldn't have to switch schools mid-year. Good luck!

[eastwestmom]

Thanks to all for the add'l info. 5dubbs - I may look into the testing. Desdemona - do you know if, in hindsight, your friend would have spent some $$ for testing if she could have put her child directly into gifted?
berryjuice - Verde and Calusa have gt program as well? I did not understand it that way on PB schools website. I really would like my daughter to go to school with her neighbors. And of course, I don't even know if she will be considered gifted. She just seems to fit the profile - and I'm biased of course.

[Shoegal1075]

Can I ask what is the criteria to be in the gifted programs?