6th grade Honors Program starts tomorrow!

Jami - posted on 09/03/2010

Sixth grade is the start of middle school where I live. I don't think that is too soon. Our gifted program starts in 2nd grade the kids go to a different school one day a week. When they reach middle school and high school, if they choose to stay in the gifted program, they attend a specific school middle school or high school that also offers Honors and AP classes. Since I live in large district that has 34 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and 5 large high schools, things are done differently than some of the surrounding communities.

I guess what I am trying to say is, this seems pretty normal to me. Does the person who thought it was too early have a gifted child or children?

Candi - posted on 09/02/2010

thats great. My son has been in gifted classes since 1st grade and in our last school it was a pull out program for 1 hour a day 4 days a week and his science teacher purposely made lab during the hour the gifted kids were gone and put them behind. it was like a punishment for the smart kids. Now we are in a new state and he is in Middle School. His whole class is Highly Gifted. They test the kids on 3 gifted levels here and he ranked among the highest. We are very proud of him. I think all school systems should encourage kids to think and make sure they work at their full potential. Most schools just want to push kids to the next grade and they don't care if the kids even learn anything. Congrats to your son and the school for recognizing some kids need challenges!

Laura - posted on 09/02/2010

That sounds great! You can tell this other person that gifted kids need to be challenged early on if you want them fully engaged in school. Otherwise they can get bored and even begin to have behavioral problems related to school. Our school system has a G/T program that starts in 2nd grade. The kids test into the class and move through the grades as a unit, until 6th grade (end of elementary classes). The program then switches to honors and AP classes for the middle school and high school. With so much focus in schools on remedial programs, it's encouraging to know that some school systems value challenging the gifted kids!
Sonja makes a very good point--if your son is just entering this type of program, be aware that there can be an adjustment period. Keep encouraging your son on those days that classwork frustrates him and let him know that this change and the work are not beyond his abilities--otherwise he wouldn't be in the class! Once he gets into the routine, things should settle down. Perhaps that could be another reason to start kids early--so they become accustomed to the higher expectations and work! Hope your son enjoys is new classes! Good luck!

Pamela - posted on 08/30/2010

That sounds wonderful. Ours is a pull out program. My heart does go out to the teacher, though. With 30 gifted kids he/she better keep them engaged or there will be mayhem!

Sonja - posted on 08/26/2009

Even younger might be better. We just moved our son to a similar program that starts in 2nd grade and continues through high school. We have had good reports and are pretty hopeful. It's great that you have the opportunity. I hear it can be something of an adjustment to kids who are used to not working, and used to always getting things right! I was told to expect 2 months to adjust to that and that it is thereafter great. Good luck.