Question: What kind of school is best for gifted kids? Public or private?
From the time my son was a toddler, he showed signs of being gifted. He is now four years old and will be starting school next year. Will he be challenged in our public school or should I look for a private school?
Answer: Whether a school is public or private really doesn't matter. What is important is whether the school and its teachers are willing to accommodate the needs of gifted children. To determine if the school is a good fit for your gifted child, you will want to check it out, but you need to know what to look for in a good gifted program. For example, a good gifted program will have multiple options for the gifted, will be flexible in meeting students' needs, and will provide a challenging curriculum.
Some private schools do an excellent job of meeting the needs of gifted children, while others don't. Many public schools do not do a good job of meeting the needs of gifted children, but others do an excellent job. However, individual teachers also matter a great deal. An excellent school may have a teacher who does not work well with gifted children. On the other hand, a public school may have a teacher who both challenges gifted children and champions their cause. Consequently, you'll want to find out what you can about the various teachers at the schools you are considering and the likelihood that your child will get each one of them.
