High School: Four Questions to Ponder When Sending Your Kid
- by Lisa Frieda Cossham
- ⏱️ 4 mins read
Schools choices for kids: High versus Secondary, Determining significance when transferring institutions for children - The impact of student transitions between schools
In today's competitive world, parents are pushing their kids to enroll in high school, believing that their offspring are smarter and more talented than the statistics suggest. Here's a reality check: just two out of every hundred students are genuinely highly talented. Nevertheless, parents wish their child to be well-equipped for the future job market and aim to help them secure a diploma, as job requirements grow ever more demanding.
- High School
- Intelligence
What Sets High School Students Apart?
While your kid may be above average, it's vital to understand that only 2% of students are truly highly talented - the cream of the crop. If you're sending your child to high school, consider these points beforehand:
- The Science of Giftedness: A gifted child is considered exceptional in at least one domain, placing them among the top 10% of their peers[1]. However, a highly gifted student falls into the top 1% to 3%.
- Unidentified and Untapped Talents: Many gifted students go unnoticed and under-nurtured within the standard school system, which can lead to disengagement, disinterest, and frustration[1][2].
- The Talent vs. Age Struggle: While gifted students might excel in academic subjects, they may struggle with social and emotional aspects of learning[2][3].
Balancing Academics and Careers
To prepare your child for the future, it's essential to understand the complex relationship between giftedness and career preparation:
- Empowering Academically Gifted Students: Highly gifted students could benefit from accelerated learning programs that align their academic progress with their potential[3]. However, many educational policies prioritize age over ability, limiting such opportunities.
- Career Guidance: Gifted individuals are more likely to pursue advanced degrees and excel in STEM fields[5]. Early identification and support can help these students develop the skills they'll need to thrive in their chosen careers.
In summary, while a significant portion of gifted children remain underidentified and underserved, the highly gifted have the potential to excel in various fields. By providing appropriate support and challenging content, parents can help their gifted children navigate the complex world of high school and prepare for future success.
[1] Achter, C. H. R. (2020). Gifted Education. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/gifted-education.
[2] Center for Talent Development. (n.d.). Providing the Best Education for Bright and Gifted Students. Retrieved from https://www.northwestern.edu/ctd/.
[3] Silva, B. (2021, March 17). How to correctly identify gifted children. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/education-56060301.
[4] National Association for Gifted Children. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.nagc.org/resources-and-publications/faq.
[5] Lupkowski-Shoplik, A., & Benbow, C. P. (2010). The long-term progress of mathematically and scientifically talented youth identified in grades 4 through 6. Stanford Education and Human Development. Retrieved from https://ehe.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/long_term_study_final.pdf.
- A highly gifted student, typically falling into the top 1-3%, can be greatly benefited by academic programs that allow for accelerated learning, aligning their progress with their potential, despite age-based educational policies that often limit such opportunities.
- Understanding the complex relationship between giftedness and career preparation, parents should seek early career guidance for their gifted children, as highly talented students are more likely to pursue advanced degrees and excel in fields like STEM with the right support and development.
