How Do Schools for Gifted Students Differ From Traditional Institutions?

Those researching schools for gifted children usually begin by inquiring about the differences between traditional schools, whether public or private and gifted institutions. While there are many details that are distinctive, the main characteristics that distinguish advanced-learner establishments from conventional schools are:

Peer and Ability Groupings

The standard school groups children according to age and advances grades and curriculum based on the calendar. While schools for gifted students also move pupils to the next grade at the end of each year, they group them differently on a daily basis. Ability-based groups are formed within appropriate age ranges in order to better meet student needs and appropriately challenge pupils. Working in small groups of peers with similar abilities, means each child receives a more tailored experience at gifted school.

Deeper Curriculum

It is true that advanced learners often absorb information at a quicker pace. That does not mean that the standard gifted second grader is ready for calculus, however. A gifted student will fully grasp a concept with fewer repetitions, and therefore gifted institutions have surplus time to enrich students on core concepts. By using projects, research, debates and other techniques, instructors are able to impart a sophisticated understanding of each topic, rather than just a basic grasp, as is the goal in a traditional environment.

Extended Opportunities

Another great benefit of schools for gifted students is the extended opportunities, such as field trips and after-school focus groups. From service opportunities to campouts, these institutions provide off-campus learning experiences unrivaled for their educational value. Additional on-campus programs and clubs offer advanced students chances to put their understanding to the test in robotics, cooking, music and more.

Institutions that cater to gifted children give advanced students an opportunity to learn alongside those who move at their pace. They also extend traditional curriculum in creative ways both in and out of the classroom.

Is a Gifted Children School Right for Your Child?

For the past few months, you may have noticed a trend with your child’s behavior in school. He or she may complete the assigned work correctly without any problems. It may only take a few minutes for your kid to come up with these advanced answers. When asking your child about his or her day, they may tell you that they were bored because the lesson plans were simply not challenging enough. If your child were to attend a gifted children school, the lack of a challenge would no longer be a problem. There would be much more work to do at a level that is just right.

How Do the Students Become Eligible for the Gifted School?

Eligibility is typically based on the results of one or more different tests given to the students, such as the Hemmon-Nelson or even the Woodcock Johnson. If your child is currently in kindergarten, he or she will not need to take one of these tests. Instead, the gifted school will review a portfolio of the work they have completed so far in school, along with any recommendations the teachers and other staff members at the current school may have made about your child’s work ethic in the classroom.

Is It Too Overwhelming for the Children?

There is a misconception that gifted programs are too advanced, causing children to become overwhelmed and frustrated. If your child attends the gifted children school, the curriculum will be more challenging than the curriculum followed by teachers who are working in a traditional public school. However, these challenges tend to excite the students who attend the gifted school because they are being tested instead of being assigned work that comes way too easy for them. If you want your child to enjoy learning again, it may be the best decision to complete an application for the gifted education program.