We didn’t grow up in the US, so we don’t really know much about the gifted programs. She has scored 99 in CogAT, and 96.5 in ITBS, so she qualifies to the HAG program in NC. We can either switch to a different school that has the HAG curriculum, or keep her in the current school under the next lower level curriculum (AIG). The school says their AIG program is excellent, and that many HAG students have opted to stay in the school’s AIG program.
I want to do what is best for her social, emotional, and academic growth, so please share your experience/horror stories/success stories with the gifted programs, and your advice on which one to choose.
She’s an only child and a bit naive, if that matters.
I was in the TAG (talented and gifted) program in school in Ohio. Honestly it was very good for me. I didn’t really fit in with a lot of the other students, but did with the kids in the TAG program. Not saying this is the case for your kid, but a lot of us in the TAG program were not the best social kids growing up. Being around other awkward kids who wouldn’t bully me for being smart was a god send. I’m not sure if this is a thing that still happens in today’s world though.
I do feel like I was better prepared for higher education as well. Most kids in my school ended math education with geometry, but I had the opportunity to take calculus in high school, which was useful for college. I also got to read much more interesting literature earlier. It was more enjoyable and I think it helped me with critical thinking and empathy - the latter of which I struggled with a lot when I was younger.
That’s really all I can offer.
Thanks for the perspective! Do you ever feel like you missed out on anything because you went into this program?
I don’t think so. But I didn’t have to change schools or anything. And some of my classes were normal classes not in the program. So I still interacted with a lot of people. For me it was a net positive, and I heard the same from my friends in the program. Your mileage may vary though.