@gardenstategal
I read the online info. This is a college degree granting program for gifted high school women. These students will be earning a college degree.
This is such a personal and individual decision. It may be just the right thing for this student…or it might not be.
The biggest question I would have is…what happens if the student decides not to continue with the program? Will these college courses fulfill HS graduation requirements elsewhere? That would be a delicate question…for sure. Perhaps they address this in their info sessions!
Boarding school will add costs to this kid’s education. This early college program won’t.
Another question…I know you cant Predict the future…but what is the anticipated end goal for this student with a bachelors degree at age 18?
Exactly, @thumper1 . I meant my comments in a more generic sense.
And as a partial response to "why wouldn’t you want a normal high school experience?. ". A friend whose brother went to Harvard (from as test-in school in nyc) at 15 basically said “I am pretty much a freak wherever I am. At least I like my classes now.”
For a kid who may be staying in academia, this may be fine. For one who plans to be out in the working world, this would seem really tough. But I do think that many of the kids who end up in these programs are genuine outliers, not simply smart over-achievers. Tough call.
The above post is great. The gifted are different. There can never be a “normal” HS experience. Others point out how you need to visit the school and investigate.
The comment about “at least liking my classes now” makes sense. My son, who with a fall birthday went early to kindergarten and was accelerated a grade started college while still 16. He had been with the same cohort since 5th grade and so had the usual experiences. He did 3 week gifted summer camps while in HS where he was able to interact with other gifted kids. He thoroughly enjoyed the social interactions, it wasn’t for the academics. He came home commenting on how stupid we parents were one summer (duh- where did he get his intelligence from?). Being with those of similar intellect is important.
You are not sending your young teen off to be with much older students but with her age and academic peers. It sounds like your D is upper end gifted. Harder for her to relate in classes with the bright students.
Posters- consider this. The Bell curve. A 30 point IQ difference makes a huge difference. Easy to be low end gifted and be thinking like the bright/above average students. Very difficult when no one else zips through assignments, is bored with the pace and others don’t understand the higher level thought processing in discussions. I know my college friends and spent many late weekend nights talking with youthful enthusiasm about our world instead of midless socializing in the bars (legal in my day).
Would parents of the bright, bound for elite tier college students feel good if their child was forced to be in the average level classes at an average HS? I would hope not.
I can’t imagine a person with this high level of intellect wanting a regular, munday job that requires only a bachelor’s level of college. My son opted to forgo math grad school but so far is intellectullay satisfied with his software job. He explained how he prefers development to research. However, this child is beyond him intellectually I am sure and will only find her peer group within the advanced academic group. Will she get burned out? Presumably this college setting isn’t just pushing higher level academics but meeting social developmental needs by having students of similar ages together.
Due diligence following up on options will help make the decision. Nothing wrong with going away, if your D wants it. Presumably you will also be in contact with other organizations dealing with high end giftedness.
@jonri - We live in an area with a public gifted high school that allows students to socially mature while also taking challenging classes. A few students still leave high school a year early and start at a regular college at 17. Many students go on to attend highly regarded colleges and universities after high school graduation.
A question I ask is whether your daughter is best served by going to this particular college or whether she would be better off in the long run attending a top university at age 18 (or 17).
It is also true that you need to take care of your daughter right now. In a situation without perfect options, what adequately meets her short term needs while protecting her long term options.
The OP to this thread hasn’t been active in this forum since February 23…just saying.