Part 3 of the Davidson Institute series, “What to Consider When Choosing a New School for Gifted and 2e Students”
- Part 1: Myths About Different Schools
- Part 2: Figuring Out What To Look For In a School
- Part 3: How to Find New Schools for Gifted and 2e Students
- Part 4: Choosing a School and Preparing for the Transition
How do I find schools?
It can be worthwhile to take another look at your local options. While you likely have some qualitative data—what you’ve heard through the grapevine, perhaps some experience with a sibling, etc.—it may be useful to dig deeper. Schools change, sometimes rapidly with an administration change, for example. New opportunities and programs may have been implemented. And, you may have a greater understanding of what your child needs at this specific moment.
What if I’m considering moving to find a good fit school. How do I find schools outside my local area?
Building off the insights you’ve gathered so far, take a moment to refine what you’re truly seeking in a school for your child. Lists like ones on TILT Parenting, Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page, and Educational Advancement can serve as starting points to explore schools.
At the core of your search, however, is the critical task of understanding what you are looking for—and this is something only you can define. While resources, advice, and community input can guide your journey, ultimately, it’s up to you to determine what fits best for your child’s unique needs. We can offer guidance, but the vision must come from you.
Should I move for a school alone?
Not necessarily.
It’s important to think about your entire family when making such a big decision. While finding the right school for your gifted child is key, it’s equally important to consider how the move will affect the rest of your family. What does the community offer in terms of lifestyle, job opportunities, social connections, and support? These factors all play a crucial role in ensuring your family’s overall happiness and well-being. When making a decision like this, it’s best to ask yourself, “How will this move benefit everyone, not just my child?” By looking at the bigger picture, you’re more likely to make a decision that supports not only your child’s education but also the health, balance, and happiness of your whole family.
When considering a move, it’s important to look beyond the immediate focus on your child’s academic needs and reflect on the broader implications for your family as a whole. As you may know, gifted children often place immense pressure on themselves to succeed, and relocating solely for the pursuit of the “perfect” school can inadvertently intensify that weight. While finding the right educational environment is undeniably important, it’s just one aspect of the equation. A move driven solely by academic considerations can leave your child feeling as though they alone are shouldering the family’s hopes. As such, it’s important to view this transition through a holistic lens, taking into account not just the academic environment but also how the entire family will adapt and grow.
Equally important is how the move affects the well-being of the entire family. Moving for a school alone can overlook other factors that shape a family’s overall well-being. Consider, for example, your spouse’s professional aspirations or the family traditions that define your lifestyle, like weekly hikes or community gatherings. If these elements are disregarded, the move may not offer the kind of balance and enrichment that would make the transition smooth for everyone involved.
In the end, the decision to move should reflect the broader picture of family life—one that nurtures the growth of every member. Whether the move is motivated by a school’s strong program in Model UN, access to outdoor activities, or a city with a vibrant cultural scene, it’s about ensuring that the transition supports the growth, happiness, and well-being of everyone involved. As with any important decision, the goal is to create a future that nurtures the academic, personal, and familial aspirations of your whole family, not just one part of the needs of one child.
Okay, we have found a few possibilities. How do we vet these potential schools?
Question! Question! Question!
One of the first steps you may take is talking to staff members at the school. This might include teachers, administrators, or other staff members. Asking questions aligned with what you are and are not looking for in a school may answer some concerns you had that might not have been discussed on the school’s website or in your initial research. It’s important to look beyond the school’s website and marketing materials. While these resources may highlight the best aspects of the school, they often don’t provide a complete picture.
Another effective way to gain real insight into a school is by talking to other parents. Ask for feedback from families who have children attending the school, particularly those with experiences similar to your own. Parent groups, both formal and informal, can offer honest assessments of the school’s strengths and weaknesses. That said, it is important to approach this feedback with discernment. While parent opinions can be helpful, they are often shaped by personal biases and unique experiences. It’s important to critically assess the information you receive, recognizing that no school is flawless. Pay attention to recurring themes or concerns but also keep in mind the individual context of each family’s situation. By weighing the variety of perspectives thoughtfully, you’ll be better positioned to make an informed, balanced decision.
If you find yourself uncertain about the feedback you’re receiving, trust your parent gut, it often provides valuable guidance. If doubts persist, it may be helpful to refer to our “How Do We Find Good Information” blog, which delves deeper into the nuances of gathering information, offering strategies to further refine your understanding and helping you make a more informed decision.
Finally, consider firsthand experience through shadowing opportunities or school visits. Many schools offer the chance for prospective students to attend classes for a day or even just a few hours. This gives you and your child a sense of the school’s atmosphere, how the students and teachers interact, and whether it feels like a good fit. You can observe how students are engaged, how teachers respond to individual needs, and how your child fits within the school environment. This can be a crucial step in the decision-making process, as it provides you with a direct, unfiltered experience that can’t be gained from interviews or second-hand accounts alone. Keep in mind the timeframe for these efforts; it’s important to give yourself enough time to gather all the necessary information and make a well-informed decision about the best educational setting for your child.
Try This: Use the “Prospective School Interview Tool” to collect detailed information about schools you’re considering. This tool is designed to help you ask questions, so you can make an informed decision about a potential school.
We will discuss how to transition to a new school in Part 4.
Resources to Help Find Schools
The Davidson Young Scholars Program provides resources and guides for families searching for a new school to better fit the needs of their gifted or 2e child.
Permission Statement
This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.
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