[quote=AN]flu, it’s not so much about GATE program specifically, but rather, looking for programs that would push my kids to their max potential. If my kids turn out to be average, then I’m perfectly fine having them in just regular public school. However, if they’re very smart, I want them to be pushed as far as they’re capable of going. GATE is the only program in public school system that potentially will push the student beyond the regular curriculum.

BTW, after school enrichment programs and advanced program during school are not mutually exclusive.[/quote]

I think if you’re expecting good results from a public education system, especially in the current predicament we are in in CA and in the U.S., you are going to be very disappointed. I don’t think any public school program is going to come close to the attention of either parental involvement OR private enrichment programs/schooling..

I’ll give an example….My kid just went to do an kindergarden “assessment” that they make some of the entering kindergarden kids to prior to entry DMUSD (ocean air elementary strangely isn’t doing it this year)…..Anyway, the assessment consisted of

1)Can your kid count from 1-10?
2)Can your kid say his/her name and spell it?
3)Can your kid say the sounds of the letters?
4)Can your kid cut along a straight line…

Sorry, but I guess having her gone through a Montessori school, this really seems like a low bar to me. And if this is suppose to be one of the better public systems in DMUSD, then oh boy…..

In her Montessori school, most kids are already doing basic addition and subtraction, most can already read to some extent….And most importantly, the kid seems to enjoy doing those. So it’s just interesting to compare and contrast. If it weren’t for the fact that the Montessori school there were more kids her age in K that would be there next year, it probably would have been better for her to stay there. That said, I don’t think you get the learning of soft skills as much as a classroom full of kids….And perhaps the right thing to do, as so many c,d,f students routinely blog about is…Your kid doesn’t need to be academically smart….They just need to figure out how to use/manipulate others……Afterall, is that what successful managers do 🙁 ????