As parents, we all want the best for our gifted child. When it comes to our gifted children, many of us are aware that the standard, public, educational system is simply not equipped for giving our unique children the best opportunities for development. This realization prompts many parents of gifted children toward examining options for an improved, academic, experience.
The following is a non-comprehensive list of factors to consider toward finding the best fit of academic program for your gifted child’s needs.
Practical Considerations
Location
In years gone by, it was standard practice, in pursuit of higher quality education, to send students away to far-off locations. There are many historical tales of gifted children growing up apart from their parents, and within the confines of a boarding school.
Modern times don’t typically lend themselves to such practices, and determination of which school to attend is often heavily influenced by which schools are available within an immediate vicinity.
An internet search for available schools is handy for narrowing down any potential choices, and the results can be cause for discussion about just how far parents are willing to adjust their lifestyles to accommodate.
For some, the decision about a quality school may require that the family undergo a change in living location. For others, it will have to come down to the best choice between options that are less than ideal. Yet others may turn to the plethora of online educational opportunities, which remove the factor of location from the equation, entirely.
Cost
Closely related to the obstacle of location is that of finances. Though public educational choices are prone to be substandard, they are free. Most high-quality, private, schools come with a hefty price tag, which can require substantial financial sacrifice on behalf of the family. There is a common understanding that the price tag is reflective of the quality of the educational experience, but this might not always be the case.
Before shelling out the big bucks, be sure to investigate the net benefits of attending a particular school. Most schools are upfront with providing course fees and lists of purchasable materials, and some provide documents which indicate levels of past – and predicted – student success rates.
Public educational systems now exist online, and may provide a solution for parents of gifted children who are also on a tight budget. While the process often involves your child having to participate in mundane, standardized, curriculum, there are also opportunities for supplementing the experience with more customized academic pursuits.
The freedom of this type of hybrid home schooling can result in your gifted student spending less time grinding out rote lesson content, and more time exploring higher passions.
Quality of Program
The driving force behind most parents’ considerations as to whether to place their child in a gifted school is that of the potential for higher quality education.
Gifted children need to be adequately challenged; recognized for their strengths; and given opportunity to experiment. Public schools are not typically known to excel in those particular areas, as their primary purpose is to provide basic education to the average majority.
Knowledge of Gifted Abilities
One of the hallmarks of a school for gifted children is the ability to recognize them as such. Rather than simply being known as “the smart kid,” a child in a school which is designed for the gifted will be able to experience a unique – but normalized – existence.
Schools which are equipped with the tools to identify and properly accommodate those who fit the definition of being gifted are able to provide a customized learning environment for the student, and will be able to provide parents with insight into their child’s abilities, as well.
Qualified Staff
A school which can advertise itself as being knowledgeable of the needs of gifted students is all well and good, but the claim needs to be backed up with good staffing.
Teachers and administrators of gifted student programs need to be ready to challenge and push the gifted child on toward greatness, while simultaneously possessing the skill set needed to address the setbacks which our gifted children are known to encounter.
Learning Environment
Gifted children learn best when there are certain elements present in the curriculum: Three of these elements are work which is leveled to their skill; work which encourages them to go beyond what is presented; and work which captures their interests.
It is much more dynamic than simply placing a 10 year old student into college prep classes, and a quality school for gifted children will be highly aware of this. When examining the offerings of a potential school, be sure to ask about the process of learning that is employed, in addition to viewing the curriculum.
Socialization Opportunities for Your Gifted Child
Yet another area for consideration is the content of your child’s social life. While specialty schools may offer the benefit of customized curriculum and academic challenge, they often also come with a small student population.
This feature is wonderful for ensuring that your gifted child receives enough attention from instructors, and that he or she has opportunity for receiving stimulating input from academic peers, but it can simultaneously deprive a child from the richness of being exposed to diversity.
It is known that gifted children receive affirmation, intellectual stimulation, and encouragement when surrounded by peers of a similar mind. Only being exposed to those of similar abilities, however, may not be the best environment for your gifted child to develop the life skills of tolerance, patience, and openness toward the ideas of others.
As most of us are aware, the ability to socially navigate the diverse population of our world is one of the most rewarding features of adulthood. The benefits of social adeptness can result in better career positions; higher financial status; and a more fulfilling support network.
When seeking to place your child in a school for the gifted, keep the overall goal of assisting your child toward becoming a well-adjusted adult in mind.