Hello everyone, We are on the SW side of Naperville. We moved here to ensure we have good schooling options for our kids. Our son goes to a good montessori for Kindergarten. He should actually be in Kindergarten the coming school year, 12-13. He just didint meet the Sep 1 cut off as he is mid Sep born. Anyways, his montessori suggested he does KG. He did it. Now we are all set to admit him in Grade 1 in 204 but then the following happens:
His school suggested that he is kind of gifted and advanced. He started reading when he was 3 and is into encyclopedias, mythology, science, etc. This is all on his own interest and we dont push him but as he is interested did take him often to the library, museum, etc.
We recently had to get him tested as we wanted to send him to a specific summer camp. The test results show a percentile of 99.9 on every aspect and an IQ of 150.
With the above in consideration, will you recommend him to the public school in 204 and will he be challenged enough? Will he get enough inspiration and avenues to keep thee interests and curiosity alive? Or would you recommend a private school. We are new here. Any suggestion on private schools will also be great.
Thanks a lot.
It really depends on the private schools you are considering. My older two went to private Catholic grade schools and they do nothing to challenge gifted kids. Thing is though they did fine anyway they just challenged themselves outside of the school.
It sounds like you son already knows how to challenge himself so I would say the choice is what you want to get out of the school.
I nanny for a family who has a daughter in McCarty school in 204. She is in the gifted math program but it does not start til 3rd grade. You will need to do supplemental stuff outside the school up til 3rd grade
the grade schools in 204 are wonderful
Another vote for checking out Avery Coonley. I think my kid is pretty darn smart, but definitely not THAT level. Your son sounds like exactly the type of student that Avery Coonley caters to.
I DO think that District 204 will be able to accomodate your son (again, once he hits 3rd grade, and agree to supplement until then.) If you do decide to check out other private schools, there are 2 Catholic schools in the area that I suggest. The first is Saints Peter & Paul, which is right by downtown Naperville. They do have special accomodations for gifted students, and the school as a whole produces better results than Districts 203 & 204.
The other is All Saints Academy, which is just south of downtown Naperville, on Aurora. I know a family who had their kids there before they moved out of the area, and they were quite happy there. (The parents are a physcian and a genuis-level PhD.)
I know the registration deadline for both have passed, however if you contact the schools you could at least get info and see if either might have a place for them. Enrollment ends on June 1st for Ss Peter & Paul, so they might have some spots available if some families who applied at registration time do not end up enrolling.
Your son sounds very smart. I think you need to look at each school individually. What types of services and support and each school offer a child. Like Jo W. said, Catholic schools are not really known for challenging gifted children.
I live in 203, but I have friends with children in 204. I think for both 203 and 204, the gifted program doesn't start until third grade. But most classes have aides that work with the children one-on-one during class time. They help all children, whether they need a little extra help or need a little extra challenge. I think District 204 has a very good reputation for their academics. While I doubt that your son will be academically challenged in first grade, it will be a good year for him to just be in a non-Montessori environment and make new friends.
Have you heard of Avery Coonley School? It is a long haul from where you are (Downers Grove), but I have heard such great things about this school. You might want to look into it if you are worried about your son not being challenged enough at public school. Good luck to you!
I know a family that went to Dist 204 schools. The middle daughter was doing addition and subtraction and passed a kindergarten entrance test when she was 22 months old. I did the test when I was in college and looking back didn't realize just HOW young she was cause I had been babysitting her since birth. Her older brother and younger sister are not dumb either. All three did GREAT in 204, had all their needs met and really were able to advance as they were able. The kids are now adults, the youngest just graduated in nursing, the oldest has another year of dental school and that middle girl, she's going to be a doctor in 2 yrs. They are all amazing, talented, musical, and socially nice kids as well. The parents didn't have to supplement (any more then having me do lots of stuff with them on school breaks and taking them on vacations and such things like that). When they started taking instruments I think they did have lessons outside of just what the school offered. The oldest one got a full scholarship to college that way and mid way through college switched from music to pre-med. He jokes that he is one of the only kids where his parents were upset over that career change (they really weren't but giving up a full scholarship and all ya know)
So, have confidence that 204 will meet your child's needs. They really are equipped for it.
As a former gifted student whose teachers begged my parents to let me skip 2 grades(they didn't) and with an IQ over160: I was bored to tears in school!!!! I was in the talented and gifted programs at school and had teachers letting me work out of more advanced textbooks but I hated always feeling held back! I started college at 14 and took college and high school classes until I graduated at the ripe old ag of 16 but even now 10 years later I am completely dissatisfied with my public school experience. I wish I had been homeschooled or sent to a private school in our city that was very selective about the students they let in(mom and dad couldn't afford it though-even with scholarships). I am homeschooling my incredibly bright 5 and 3 year old children until at least 8th grade. With the huge class sizes being what they are and the extra emphasis on the slower learners I would place him in a private school with very small class sizes(smart kids NEED extra attention and pushing) and rigorous academics or see if you can have a tutor teach him at home or join a homeschool co-op, or homeschool him yourself. Good luck!
