Hi moms, I was wondering if any of you had had any experience with the Chicago Public school's gifted program tests. I hear a diverse number of things, like it only lasts 15 min - how good can that be to test a 4 yo?!! - but I can't find any information on what involves. Has anyone had their kids taken the test. Was it stressful?. My daughter is 4 and has had excellent pre-K training so far. Unfortunately our neighbor school doesn't have a very good program and I though to expand our options to magnet/gifted schools. However the child of a friend score in the 89 percentile and was selected by NO school with a gifted program. Is this even possible?
Thanks so much for any advice!
L.
Thanks to all moms for their wonderful advice and information on CPS gifted programms. I had submitted the application and will let you know how things turn out for my daughter.
Many schools use a much higher percentile (95% or above) to determine placement in a gifted program.
L.,
Hi! Now is the time to look at the Chicago Public Schools website for information about testing and deadlines for selective enrollment schools. It is very competitive and you are not alone. My daughter tested and did not get in to any of the classical or magnet programs. However, we requested a catalog and directory of schools which gives information about demographics and test results. There are some great schools with pretty good test scores that are not magnet schools, but are part of a cluster program. You can also call ###-###-#### for more information. Just remember you are the one that is really teaching your child to excel.
All the Best,
D.
L.,
Contact the McDade School for information on their "Gifted" Kindergarten program. Ted Lenart use to be the regional gifted center. In order for students to be accepted it must come through the recommendation of the classroom teacher who would contact the gifted office and have the team test a student. You may contact Louise Mintz (the Assistant Principal) at Lenart for further information. My daughter graduated from Lenart. It is now located on the south side. Andrew Carnegie (62nd Dorchester) has an International Baccalaureate Program you might want to check into. CPS does have deadlines for filling out application so call CPS.
J. Maloy Ed.D.
Retired Principal & former Ted Lenart Parent
My daughter scored a 98 the first time. The second time she received 112 and no one called. I do not understand the system at all.
My son tested into the gifted program and is currently attending and loves it. The test is truly only 15-20 minutes and my son came out smiling and happy -- it is definitely not stressful to the child and there is nothing you need to do to "prepare" them.
The way I understand it, the coursework is 1 to 1.5 grade levels ahead of grade. At kindergarten, he receives homework each night, so there is a commitment that you must make to it. The "passing" score varies from year to year because I believe the test takes into consideration grade, diversity and gender - not just their score.
You will need to have your child tested now to receive scores in March to apply for fall 2009 program. My son is at Pritzker and his teacher is amazing!! Best of luck!
