Should we look to one of these schools?

[lmkh70]

<p>Locally, we cannot find a good school for our daughter. She is advanced in the maths and sciences and even the private schools do not seem to offer advanced courses. Public schools do not have open enrollment so we cannot just pick and chose there. Our local schools do not offer the advanced courses. It is appearing that she will not have any math for senior year and she will just pick from small set of AP courses for her senior year, if she has not expired them. Chances are good she will end up at community college in her senior year, not quite what she wanted.</p>

<p>Someone said Exeter and I didn't even consider it before. But then I became curious and looked it up. I was shocked to see advanced math coursework for high school. I don't know if this is unique to Exeter, or if we should be going down the path of looking at these schools. Also, originally, I thought these schools would run way too high for cost, but I am thinking we could pull it together to put her through. </p>

<p>My question is, she is a 9th grader now. She is currently taking French, preAP English 1, preAP Algebra 2, preAP Chemistry, AP Human Geography, and some electives. Her current GPA (she has algebra 1, geometry, biology, music appreciation, and a few others on her transcript) is running about 97% unweighted. She is the very top of her class. Staying where she is, she may very well end up Valedictorian, but it is not academically a fit. We were considering having her apply to Greenhill and Episcopal School of Dallas next year(local schools), but they still do not have the advanced math, but they do offer much advanced course work and challenge that I think she is not getting now. We are also considering just moving to a place where the public schools are better.</p>

<p>Anyway, do you think I should start looking in to these more "elite" schools for my daughter? If so, do you have any recommendations for a school that would particular be fit for her? I should add that her music is very important to her and she plays for the city orchestra so I would only want a school with an orchestra. But it also needs to be a school that is very strong in the math and has advanced coursework beyond AP calculus BC.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your help!</p>

[Burb_Parent]

<p>You might want to ask Greenhills and Episcopal if they offer advanced math as an independent study, or offer something with a local college. Most independent schools offer independent study, which is one-on-one instruction with a willing teacher and eager student. The teacher has to available to do it, so you run the risk that it might not happen.</p>

<p>Many boarding schools offer courses beyond Calculus BC. Even Blair offers multi-variate calculus and linear algebra. <a href=“http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/viewbook/courses1011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.blair.edu/Admissions/viewbook/courses1011.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You might want to plan a trip to visit a few boarding schools to see if it would be appropriate for your daughter. You probably know this already, but Stanford has a good online program for advancing in math. I think it is called EPGY. You can also look into the local talent searches for summer programs. As she advances in high school, she can also take summer college courses in math.</p>

<p>Often day schools and boarding schools have different contract signing dates. You might want to look into this as well.</p>

<p>All the boarding schools I know of have an orchestra. If you visit, your daughter might ask to speak with the Orchestra Director and head of the math department.</p>

[lmkh70]

<p>She is already in EPGY. Funny thing is, I did not even consider that for advanced math. Thanks for reminding me!</p>

[ExieMITAlum]

<p>I was thinking the same thing. There are a lot of kids who are brilliant, but might not be a fit for the BS experience. You could consider applying to a summer program. They’re not the same as the regular year, but it was how we tested whether our daughter would like and thrive in the whole (away from home, navigate a campus, hang out with with different cultures) experience. </p>

<p>Likewise - every BS had a personality. Exeter is a great school (I’m biased) but every boarding school places students according to ability rather than grade when classes are selected. And many have arrangements with local colleges. For instance - if she attended Lawrenceville and they ran out of math classes - she would attend nearby Princeton at no additional cost to take those classes.</p>

<p>But if she’s a stay close to home, kind of kid, you might also talk with the Duke TIP program. At one point they were keeping track of all the gift resources in the country available to MS and HS students. Johns Hopkins’ has online courses for HS students as well and I think you have to qualify using SAT or ACT results.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

[Periwinkle]

<p>Texas has two residential programs for gifted high school students. You may not need to send your daughter all the way to New Hampshire. </p>

<p>

Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) Lamar University, Beaumont
two-year residential honors program that allows juniors and seniors in high school to complete their last two years of high school credits and their first two years of college requirements concurrently
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) University of North Texas, Denton
Residential program for high school-aged Texas students who are gifted in math and science and have completed 10th grade; upon completion students receive a special high school diploma and are classified as college juniors.

[Hoagies</a>’ Gifted: Schools for the Gifted](<a href=“http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/schools.htm]Hoagies”>Schools for the Gifted Child | Hoagies' Gifted)</p>

<p>[Texas</a> Academy of Leadership in the Humanities ::: Frequently Asked Questions](<a href=“http://dept.lamar.edu/taolith/talh_FAQ.html]Texas”>http://dept.lamar.edu/taolith/talh_FAQ.html)

What is TALH?
TALH is the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities. The early college entrance program was established by the Texas Legislature in 1994 in response to the special needs of gifted and talented students across the state. It is a two-year residential program located on the campus of Lamar University, Beaumont, approximately 80 miles southeast of Houston. All credits earned at TALH are automatically accepted at all Texas-funded colleges and universities. </p>

<p>How much is tuition?
Tuition and fees for a 15 hour course load are paid in full for all students accepted into the program. The 2009-2010 room and board amounts to about $6290 per year. This includes a residence hall suite with a private bedroom, two-person bath, and a living room, with private internet access, telephone, and cable service. Students are also responsible for their books and supplies. </p>

<p>TALH is a bargain, especially compared to with other state colleges and universities. </p>

<p>Qualified students may also apply for financial aid to offset room, board, and textbook costs.

</p>

<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.tams.unt.edu/]TAMS[/url”>http://www.tams.unt.edu/]TAMS[/url</a>]

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) is a unique residential program for high school-aged Texas students who are high achievers and interested in mathematics and science. While living in McConnell Hall, students in this two-year program complete a rigorous academic curriculum of college coursework at the University of North Texas (UNT). Instruction is by regular university faculty. There are no high school courses taught, but students enjoy many of the activities of high school and the company of age mates who are intellectual peers.

</p>

<p>

Enrollment</p>

<p>Some 378 students attend TAMS on a campus of over 36,000 students. Given their chronological and academic similarities, TAMSters tend to socialize with their agemates. The Academy gender distribution is about 55% male, 45% female, which reflects the application distribution. Females are strongly encouraged to apply to achieve a 50 / 50 population.</p>

<p>Students are admitted from every region of the state, and from public and private schools of every size. All Academy students reside at the same residence, McConnell Hall. TAMS students represent the full range of Texas religions, family incomes, cultures, and ethnic groups, including Caucasian, Asian, African-American, Hispanic, and Native American students.</p>

<p>Contact Admission: <a href=“mailto:tamsadmissions@unt.edu”>tamsadmissions@unt.edu</a>

</p>

<p>

TAMS is a two-year (grades 11-12), residential, early college entry program for high-ability students seeking careers in mathematics, science, engineering, or related disciplines. Founded in 1987, TAMS admits 200 students per year who enroll in regular university classes taught by faculty at the University of North Texas in Denton. Students pay no tuition, fees, or book costs.</p>

<p>TAMS students graduate in two years with an advanced high school diploma and 57 or more transferable college credits - which may be enough to start their college junior year at UNT or other universities nationwide, two years ahead of their age-mates.</p>

<p>TAMS applicants must be Texas residents enrolled in the tenth grade or equivalent. Non-U.S. citizens must possess green cards (i.e., Permanent Resident Cards). Students who have applied for green cards but have not yet received them cannot be considered. Without exception, green cards must be in hand at the time of application.</p>

<p>Geometry, Algebra I & II must be completed by the end of the sophomore year. A competitive sophomore SAT is required.

</p>

[Redstorm82]

<p>TALH has severe bully problems that continue even after 13 years. I would never allow my daughters to be put in that position. Please research the history.</p>

[Periwinkle]

<p>Redstorm82, do you have any links to support your serious allegations?</p>

[2012graduate]

<p>As a current TALH student, I assure you that what Redstorm82 said is not the case. TALH is a great opportunity.</p>

[CateParent]

<p>Hockaday School in Dallas can offer her plenty of academic challenge and reward. <a href=“http://www.hockaday.org/ftpimages/90/download/2.%20Hockaday%20College%20Profile-High%20Res.pdf[/url]”>http://www.hockaday.org/ftpimages/90/download/2.%20Hockaday%20College%20Profile-High%20Res.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[AuntieMame]

Just to update this thread… as of 2012, I believe, TAMS has a $1300 fee to cover the shortfall from budget cuts.

[skieurope]

MODERATOR’S NOTE:

Just to update this thread… as of 2012, I believe, TAMS has a $1300 fee to cover the shortfall from budget cuts.

Well, after 5 years, let’s assume that the OP has the answers she needs. Closing thread.