Districts with good GT programs (Sugar Land, Pearland: fit in, 2013, apartment)

[Lbjen]

Hi all, looking for any experiences with districts that do well with highly gifted kids (according to testing, not the parents!) with homes in the $250-300K range. Commute is to downtown so location is not dependent on that.

Ruled out FBISD because their program is only in-class differentiation, which was not a good fit in our prior district. Looked at Katy ISD and I hear it's more about status for the parents than providing a good program for kids who need it. Alief isn't a risk I want to take even though I hear it's the best.

Does anyone have kids in GT in Cy Fair, Spring Branch, Deer Park, Pearland etc? HISD is out because I can't find anywhere affordable with a decent zoned elem for my other kid!

[bronstew]

You might be able to squeeze into Briarhills for $300K. Zoned to Barbara Bush HISD and the kids are pulled out of classrooms. Don't know if that's what you're looking for. Also, if you live here you can apply for the vanguard program at Ashford Elem or TH Rogers, if you don't mind the commute. Here's the info about the Bush G&T: Gifted and Talented / Gifted and Talented.

[1girln3boya]

I have a child in GT in Katy. Not sure where you heard it's about status for the parents. Most people don't even know he's in the class unless I mention so not sure what status I have gained from his being in the class. It's a great program. They go all day once a week and learn 3 different topics during the year. This year was Economics, Eco Systems and Energy. During the Economics the kids grouped up and made a business and sold things that they made. They used money earned in class to buy other classmates items and also had to earn money to run the business.
It is hard to get into unlike other districts which places the label on about 1/3 of the students.
I have learned the most parents say stuff like its just for status are the ones that are bitter because their child didn't make it into the program.
In order to make it in your child will have to take a number of tests, parent feed back, and teacher feedback.

[crbcrbrgv]

Lbjen, if your child is on the high end of the GT scale as in 140+, it would really behoove you to reconsider HISD. TH Rogers is the best GT public around. Unfortunately, Alief has the best program. It's a bad place to buy.

And it's a good thing you ruled out FBISD. I played politics with some people to get a niece of mine in the program (there's a lot of politics at FBISD; see previous threads) and it worked. She was just under, but is doing well in a mediocre program.

[1girln3boya]

I disagree about HiSD. All they do is label about 1/3 of the students as GT and have them learning the same things as regular classes just at a more accelerated rate. I had 1 child in GT in HISD and one in Katy and I would never consider HISD again.

[MNCold]

I'm new to GT but I think CCISD has a good GT program. They started screening for all kindergarten.
GT are pulled out once a week in a separate class.
Because of its proximity to U of H, the district collaborate with the University and the GT kids (4th grade and above) go there as well.
I don't know how well it is comparing to other school district b/c I've been to one only.

[Lbjen]

Unfortunately we are going into 4th grade and places in schools like TH Rogers are scarce to non-existent at this grade, I can't afford to move into the district without a guaranteed spot.

I've also been looking at the Harmony Schools out in Sugar Land and Katy, but again it's a waiting list gamble.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by 1girln3boya

I disagree about HiSD. All they do is label about 1/3 of the students as GT and have them learning the same things as regular classes just at a more accelerated rate. I had 1 child in GT in HISD and one in Katy and I would never consider HISD again.

Which school? Maybe I should clarify. If the child is highly gifted, he'll get into Rogers or an equivalent (River Oaks/West U) eventually and that is most definitely not the case at these schools. I've seen them in action.

Originally Posted by Lbjen

Unfortunately we are going into 4th grade and places in schools like TH Rogers are scarce to non-existent at this grade, I can't afford to move into the district without a guaranteed spot.

I've also been looking at the Harmony Schools out in Sugar Land and Katy, but again it's a waiting list gamble.

I deal with administration incompetence for a living. Stay far, far, faaaaaaar away from Harmony. I used to actually tout them a bit due to friends that know a lot about education. That was until I had to start cleaning up their messes, which are aplenty I should add. They are marketing geniuses, nothing less, nothing more.

Every time I go to a Harmony school, teachers ask me if we are hiring or if I know of any place that is. Most teachers have a foot out the door, not to mention any teacher of Turkish descent at a Harmony school has around a 4th to 8th grade command of English.

Don't know how to say, "Not good!" in Turkish.

[KatieKennedy]

Even if you cannot buy there, can you rent a house or apartment in West U or Bellaire? Most of the kids are GT at the schools in these areas, and those that are not get a very good regular education. You can then try to get into Pin Oak or Lanier for middle school and Carnegie Vanguard or Debakey for high school. At West U, at least when my daughter was there, they grouped the kids by "color" for their core classes. The smartest kids are put together. Even within the G/T sector there were differentiations. Those that do not go on to Pin Oak or Lanier go on to St. John's or other very challenging private schools for middle and high school. You can always try to test into St. John's at 6th grade. They offer some financial aid.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by KatieKennedy

Even if you cannot buy there, can you rent a house or apartment in West U or Bellaire? Most of the kids are GT at the schools in these areas, and those that are not get a very good regular education. You can then try to get into Pin Oak or Lanier for middle school and Carnegie Vanguard or Debakey for high school. At West U, at least when my daughter was there, they grouped the kids by "color" for their core classes. The smartest kids are put together. Even within the G/T sector there were differentiations. Those that do not go on to Pin Oak or Lanier go on to St. John's or other very challenging private schools for middle and high school. You can always try to test into St. John's at 6th grade. They offer some financial aid.

THAT'S how they do it. Colors! It had escaped me. Great info as always, Katie.

I wonder how Mr. Threet is doing. It's been some time since I've seen him. He's one of the most amazing persons I have had the pleasure to encounter, much less educators.