National Academy for Talented and Gifted Youth

Anyone ever heard of this?  Have any dealings with it?  What are the pros and cons of putting a child in such an organization?  Any thoughts?

Mindy,

are you talking about the summer sessions? I know some people assoicated with this project. My sense is that if your kid is a cut above average, this will be a really good experience, not least so that they can hang around with around children like them, who they might not find in their locality.

Yes, and I guess they run day sessions.  I'm not usually for labeling someone 'gifted' and my mother would be horrified, but I was wondering if it wouldn't boost her self-esteem as well as meeting some like-minded people.  Plus the added advantage that the adults might be better at dealing with these sorts of kids.  Would you generally agree that this would be the case?  It's out of the University of Warwick.

I'm not usually for labeling someone 'gifted' and my mother would be horrified, but I was wondering if it wouldn't boost her self-esteem as well as meeting some like-minded people.  Plus the added advantage that the adults might be better at dealing with these sorts of kids.  Would you generally agree that this would be the case?  It's out of the University of Warwick.

Yes, on all accounts. If she's slightly interested and you can spare the extra money, then I'd highly recommend it. The program also is supposed to have a kind of network for contact after the events as well. Mainly I think that its sciences, but there's English and Creative Writing components, which are very well managed. Warwick isn't a city campus, so it'll be a safe place to have her go/stay.

added It will also look go on her record when she applies for university later, and it may help her at her school, where it will flag to the staff that she's "noteworthy."

Thanks for that, lightbulb.     I think we will go for it.  She's an all-rounder(math,english, and art) and I think she's bored at school so I'm interested to see how she likes this.  She almost seemed excited when the letter came this morning.   

Well I don't know much about that particular program, but if she's at all interested - I think you'll find she really enjoys them.    I wish all of my classes had been gifted.