Windsor Park Gifted Program vs.Corpus Christi Montessori??

Both Schools are great, I have my daugther at CCMS and my son at Windsor park,and my third one at Mi Casita Montessori School, my advise is that every child has his/her own individual needs, while my daughter is thriving at CCMS, my son is also thriving at WP. CCMS will have a MIddle School in a couple years and it's a great environment for children, also the teachers ar greatand the lower elementary has a great dual language program, actually the teachers and most of the assistants in te lower elementary are completely bilingual. Some childreen from windsor park had moved to CCMS and I know some gifted children (including my daugther) that are doing really good at CCMS.
Windsor Park is a great school but very competitive, a lot of the reward system that I don't like, and sometimes is frustrating all that competition-reward.

Hi J.. I don't have experience with either of these programs. But, I started Montessori when I was 2 1/2 and went all the way until 1st grade. My parents felt strongly about public school and so put me into public school at that time. I went all the way through public schools (NEISD) and their G/T programs. I graduated from public school and went on to get a degree in math from Texas A&M. So, it worked out ok for me. Just FYI.

I would suggest that you broaden your choice. Give a hard look at the Waldorf School. Austin has a wonderful Waldorf School (the only one in Texas--there are over 500 world wide) and it is K-12. I served on the board for six years. It offers the best approach for the development of the whole child that I know about. You might also want to find a copy of RETHINKING EDUCATION by Philip S. Gang.
Laurence A. Becker, Ph.D. CREATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS ____@____.com You might also want to go to the Rethinking Education web site. This annual conference brings together some of the most creative thinkers and doers in learning and education that I have ever experienced. This year the conference will be in Dallas September 4-8. The web site is www.rethinkingeducation.com

My kids aren't in school yet, but my neighbor tried the Montessori. They pulled both their boys out. The younger one was having discipline issues (they didn't feel the school was strict enough and they aren't extremely strict themselves). Their older son wasn't using his full potential there either. They said they didn't feel he was challenged enough at the Montessori. A friend of mine went to Windsor Park and she liked it. However, she said the course load was massive with lots of homework. This was quite a few years ago though. She said that she would have to really think hard about sending her kids there.

Hi, J.,
I'm sure that by now you've gotten a lot of information. I don't know anything about the schools you mentioned, but I do know a lot about GT kids, having directed a public school district program for 8 years. As the grandmother of 6, I ask myself what I would advise in this situation. If your child is as brilliant as you are, he is going to be successful wherever he goes. You will never have a concern about him academically, but you may socially. Studies show that G/T kids are at risk because they don't understand why others don't "get it" the way that they do; they grow impatient with all the stuff that they deem unnecessary in schools and sometimes quit working or even quit school. The greatest gift you can give him is to make him emotionally and socially successful. Read about "Emotional Quotient" as opposed to "Intelligence Quotient." It's a real eye-opener for parents who think that academics is the be-all and end-all. Best wishes for your son on all these issues and for you in your decision-making.

I'm sure that you already know your son's learning style. I personally lean towards the Montessori style in general. I have just seen it work wonders. When I began my teaching studies I was dead set against Montessori. I thought it was just silly. After seeing it in action and knowing children before and then after, I'm sold. My opinion is that if your child is excelling in Montessori, why fix something that isn't broken?
I agree with the no homework issue. Montessori allows the child to developed independent learning skills as critical thinking during the day and which allows time for other, more important learning experiences.
I think that your son already has the most important resource needed for a well rounded intelligent child which is a caring, involved parent.

Hi J.! Wow, you've gotten a lot of input, the good, bad & ugly. So, here's my $.02, for what it's worth. My 12-yr went to CCMS, at ages 3 & 4; a private school, at ages 5-7; and Windsor Park, at ages 8-11. Now aged 12, in her first year at Baker Middle School, she's still enrolled in the Athena Program. Guess you could say, we've run the gamut, so to speak, here in Corpus Christi.

We loved the smaller environ. of CCMS and I placed her there at age 3 because she, too, is very creative & artistic, and she has always been a very social and outgoing child. At the time of her enrollment, CCMS only went through Gr. 2. I transferred her to private school by age 5, partly for this reason BUT also because I, personally felt the program at CCMS was not rigorous and challenging enough for her.

She transitioned well to private school and, again, the smaller environ. suited us both, to be honest with you. Felt like a "family." However, 3 yrs. there I couldn't help but note that she was well advanced academically than some of her classmates. Last year there she started having discipline issues for "talking too much," disruptions, not paying attention, etc. The bottom line - she was bored in school, not challenged, and "already knew the stuff."

The first 1/2 yr. at W.P. was a little rough, OK there's a little negative, because we were a little fish in a BIG pond. We lost that "family" feel, ONLY AT FIRST. The curriculum is more challenging and there is a little more homework - because W.P. IS an accelerated program for GT students, and that's why some students make it through the admission process and others do not. That said, the testing is NOT ONLY about how ACADEMIC the student is BUT ALSO how CREATIVE their thinking is. For my creative, artistic daughter, some of her highlights over the years include the (1) science lab, (2) Future Prob. Solving (FPS) (Gr. 3+), (3) Fabulous Fridays (all grades) and (4) claymation (Gr. 5). In FPS, the students, as a group, have to come up with a situation and create the solution. (What would happen if dinosaurs existed in today's society?) On Fab. Frid., every 6 wks. the students get to choose a different course from a roster of offerings. - dancing, art/crafts, sports, singing, math, robotics, languages, nature, etc. Claymation is computer animation they learn in the computer lab. At year-end the 5th graders do a presentation at Greek Day of what they've learned -- AMAZING!

As to the family feel, my little social butterfly fit right in. I'm the one who took a little longer. Once I joined the PTA the next year, the BIG pond didn't feel so big any more. The PTA is comprised of and highly values full-time working moms, like yourself, as well as at-home moms, like me. We're all in this together and all of our efforts make a huge difference for our children.

I hope this info has been helpful. Feel free to contact me if you'd like at ____@____.com, BTW, my daughter said I should mention that she liked W.P. because all the teachers and kids there were really nice! :~)

I have a son that is 4 and is pretty sharp, he is into science, math, reads and is very artistic. I am kind of in the same situation as to where to send him for 1st grade, but if it helps you any: either choice will be the right choice for your child and there is always room to supplement at home. You also need to look at the long term also as far as high school and junior high. if the the montessori school only goes to 8th grade then where will he go for high school? It is easier for a child to transition in the lower grades than junior high and high school where the "clicks" are formed. Hope this helps you with your decision.

Wow! My advice is to lighten up. You already see your 6 year old in remedial math in college? He hasn't even started yet. Stop comparing him to other kids and go easy. If he's as smart as you claim he is, he'll be fine either way. You seem like you are trying to create a prodigy. That's not fair to him. Best wishes to you both...

Is your child truly gifted?? Not smart...I mean truly gifted. I am familiar with Windsor Park--excellent program. However, are the teachers at CCM certified as Montessori? Is this a true Montessori Program? If it is, I would keep him there. I am totally sold on Montessori.You can always send him to WP at a later date. However, if CCM is all talk and no certificates (which many "Montessori" schools are), I would definitely go with Windsor Park. Check out the training and certifications at both places.

A little about me:College Prof in Education; moved from Corpus a couple of years ago (miss it!!); had a son that was in GT programs his whole life; and I taught GT for many years. Good Luck. N.

J., we left WP when we moved to Austin and it tore me and my son apart. We loved the fact that the teachers knew how to relate and challenge my son. As your child progresses, the homework will increase. In first and 2nd, the homework was not more than 30 minutes a night. Starting in 3rd, it gets longer. The Montessori school is not designed for true g/t students. The only problem I found with WP is that the parents are also over-achievers and will help a lot on their children's projects. The school is rather small and you get a strong feeling of being in a private school.

When making the choice for my son, I was against sending my child to a school that segregates the children but after understanding that the school has access to more g/t funds by having only one school for g/t students, I became a fan of the school.

I wish you the best in your decision

Why is no homework a plus? The self-directed learning that takes place when students are forced to struggle through a problem or lesson is critical to becoming a better student and more independent learner. I am not a teacher, but my mother is a retired GT teacher and administrator.

Hi J.,

How about science lab classes taken elsewhere - independent of the Montessori?

Your son gets to stay at the school you already know he really loves, and you and he are both comfortable with - and he still gets the benefit of the science lab experience also.

You didn't specifically mention the other benefits of the Windsor Park school, other than the fact they are better funded, but could these other benefits also be incorporated into your son's Montessori schooling experience?

Home-schooling parents often send their kids to outside science lab class as that sort of course in the home schooling setting is not often very tenable. There is a home schooling association you could contact or home school groups online that could possibly steer you to the information and availability regarding such classes.

And this may sound way out, but some colleges and universities (Rice?) have prodigy curriculums and classes available - even for qualifying pupils as young as 6. These kids are 'feathers in their cap' and often sought out because of it.

Have you spoken with the counselors at both schools about your predicament?

The 'lots of homework' you mentioned at the W.P. school is a bit of a red flag in my opinion. From what I've read, that is the typical hallmark of schools or classes of 'regular' or non G/T students.

Another thought: Would the W.P. school be willing to let you and your son sit in on a couple of classes if the Montessori would allow you a day or so for this?

Well, J., I don't know if any of this is of any help to you.
(Oh, what kind of a reaction have you gotten from your son about the switch?)

If all else fails and you're still uncertain, go with your 'gut' instinct.

P.S. And back off all of this for a while. Could be you're so intensely focused (read 'worried') that you can't see 'signs' of how things are shaping up or falling into place on their own.

I wish you the best of luck.

WOW, I don't have any knowledge on Montessori but no homework sounds great to me. However, that is a personal thought and not necessarily what I think would be best for my son. He is a 6 yr old in 1st grade at Windsor Park and is my oldest so the only thing I can compare it to was his one yr of Kinder at a public school. That being said to me Windsor seems to be very similar to other schools. Yes they may be expected to be advanced a little but as I'm sure you've read being GT is not just about that. My son struggled at Smith and Struggles at WP. He has ADHD and has to work for what he gets because while learning things is a breeze for him sitting still and concentrating long enough to show it on paper is a major task at times. What I would like to share with you is from the perspective of a mother that is constantly in touch with the school I can say wonderful things about the staff. The Principal and Vice Principal especially have been God Sent. I think you should consider that while you may be able to put your child in WP later the one well known thing is that the kids can be a little harder to get to know when they come in at a higher grade than 1. I have seen several children try WP at like the 3rd or 4th grade level and had a very difficult time because the kids there establish such a bond.0 I can't make the decision for you but I can give you this little bit of information and hope that it helps!

C.

J.,

It sounds like your an intelligent woman. I'm not sure if your looking for true advice or just wanting confirmation of the choice that you have already decided. I usually turn to God for advice, but I'm not sure if that is your avenue. What you feel tugging at your heart is usually the answer, your head is what you believe that others want to hear. I don't think it's advisable to make your final decision based on popular votes. I hope the best for your son.

I know nothing about either of these schools, but I would think the NO homework thing is not really going to be doing you child any favors. What will he do when he gets to college and is given homework? Also, if your child has to take remedial math are you going to kick him to the curb just because you were taking calculus in the 8th grade? Relax and don't try to be Super Mom or make him feel less than what he is if he doesn't follow in your foot steps. You will only take away from your child if you put so much pressure on him. Be supportive and do what is best educationally for the child and not what you want him to be. The main thing is to do what is best to prepare him to be successful and happy in college. If you don't lighten up a little, it can come back to bite you as he gets older. I'm the Mom of a 19 year old son who is a freshman at a university (he took basic math courses in a public high school along with other AP courses)and a 17 year old daughter. My son is doing well in his courses so far, is happy and active at the university where he chose to attend.

I know you specifically asked for parents experience with gifted and talented programs, however I'm going to share what my thinking was from a mom-of-a-one-year-old and a-public-school-teacher's point of view.
My first thought was maybe the gt program could help him grow with the new perspecitve of learning.
My second thought was what comes next? Will there be a magnet program available in the middle school and high school years? Does montessori go past the 6th grade?
You may even consider waiting until he's a bit older to make the switch. But you also don't want to foster the montessori way if one day it's not available to his age group.
Is he flexible? Does he adapt well to change?
My opinion is that Montessori is great for the little ones.
Just when are our little ones ready to move on? And I feel that you as your son's mom will know that best.
Go with your gut - it's probably right for him.
Good luck!
A.

Have you considered homeschooling him so he can learn at his own pace and ability? Just a thought..

Since you like Mintessori, then that's where you should put your child. However, make sure you do yur homework there as well, because when children who are in that environment all through school get to college, they sometimes don't fare as well because professors never individualize or work at the pace of the students. Stop trying to be super-mom and relax.

Not in that area, but I have 3 GT kids. You aren't crazy for researching this much and shame on the lady that said to lighten up. She must not be familiar with these issues. Out of my 3 one was in classes without homework etc and to this day her grades aren't what they should be because she prefers easy and less work. #2 I had learned and she's excelling (they're both in advanced classes/GT) and yes, there is more work load as they get older but as faster learners the classes move quicker through the cirriculum in order to keep the kids challenged. This sounds like the end of childhood as we know it but it does teach time management. #3 is still in elem school with teachers that teach her at her pace along with the class successfully. She has homework too and developing the self discipline at an earlier age is turning out to be a great thing. The key is keeping the child moving forward, brighter kids do get frustrated when they aren't learning, their attitude changes toward the negative, their behavior deteriorates and sometimes they drop out (genius iq nephew). Brighter kdis also get frustrated when the kids around them hold them back. I would go with the most advanced cirriculum, the most resources and then enroll your child in extra cirricular activities such as scouts, sports and church to even out his social and emotional development. These activities put him on the same level as the other kids. I wish I could tell you it gets easier as they get older, but stay on it!