Relativity of Giftedness in a College Preparatory School

Finding the right educational setting for gifted children can be problematic.

Sometimes teachers use the brightest and most advanced students as examples for the other students, e.g., if Johnny can ace the test, you should all be able to. In the typical environment where most people believe effort is the primary force behind achievement, this makes sense. And although effort matters a great deal, not everyone starts with the same intellectual toolkit or general intelligence to help their learning and achievement process. In this case, I am referring to actual, real intellectual differences between and among people who have had similar opportunities to learn.

During the years of my consultancy as a High Intelligence Specialist, I was invited to an elite private midwestern college preparatory school to help faculty members learn how to recognize and respond to the unique needs of the gifted children in their classrooms.

Private College Prep Schools

Private college prep schools generally accept students who are at least above average on ability and achievement tests. The teachers at these schools have a narrower ability range among their students than typical public schools which must accept all students…