What defines a highly-capable student? What sort of learning environment best supports a child with unique attributes? NOVA Middle School encourages parents to explore these tough questions and ask a few of their own when searching for their middle school home. Because middle school is a transformative time of brain development and physical changes for maturing youth, students should be guided through the three years with a thoughtfully curated curriculum and beneficial experiences to prepare and launch them into their next academic endeavors and well beyond.
“You want to make sure your highly-capable student is a part of a warm and welcoming environment,” adds Tiffany Price, NOVA head of school. “Choose a school that values having joyful students who are excited to be there.”
Finding the Right Middle School in Olympia for Your Student
While no two highly-capable students are alike, there is a list of characteristics that could indicate if your child may do especially well in a highly-capable program. Here are a few examples:
- My child is a keen observer and asks big questions.
- My child is an avid reader or has an extensive vocabulary.
- My child is deeply curious, often diving into topics far beyond what’s expected for their age.
- My child can be intense and show signs of being perfectionistic.
- My child shows strong empathy or a sense of fairness and justice.
- My child perseveres or has a long attention span when interested in something. My child struggles with organization or focus – even while excelling in other areas.
- My child is creative, imaginative, and has a wide range of interests. My child prefers older companions/adults.
- My child learns rapidly or is an independent learner.
If you find yourself nodding numerous times, take note. Your child may benefit from a school geared specifically towards highly-capable students. (You can find more information about highly-capable characteristics on this NOVA webpage.)
Yes, Your Child is Highly Capable. Now What?
NOVA encourages parents to learn more about what happens at each school they may be considering. There are many elements to consider above and beyond a gifted and advanced curriculum. “What support is there for the students’ executive functioning?” is a big question to ask. Highly-capable students may not have been previously challenged to juggle multiple assignments from multiple classes or have been asked to complete projects that required long-term organization and planning. Working with the students from the very beginning to acquire and utilize these skills is important. “It takes time and practice,” notes Price.
Social-emotional health is another key piece of a beneficial middle school environment for highly-capable kids. “Students interacting and learning alongside classmates who reflect many identities, experiences, and talents is powerful during this time of growth,” says Price. Knowing how the school nurtures connection and fosters understanding between peers will tell you a lot about how welcoming the community will be for your child. Highly-capable students also often have perfectionistic tendencies making it hard to complete assignments. “Learning that failure is not the worst thing in the world in a space that supports this kind of exploration will become a lifetime benefit for your child,” assures Price.
How Schools are Hoping You are Evaluating School Fit
Simply put, prospective schools want you to ask questions. Some of the questions that they are hoping you ask might not be what you think. They include:
- “Will this school have opportunities to satisfy my child’s specific interests?”
- “How do the team of teachers communicate with me about my child’s strengths and areas for growth?
- “What are your expectations for parents as partners in the education of my highly-capable child?”
- “Can you give some examples of how a student has grown from 6th to 8th grade in your program?”
- “How is my highly-capable child being prepared for the next steps, for high school and even beyond?”
- “What accommodations do you offer, what don’t you offer?”
In the end, a school wants to know that they are serving the student’s best interests and giving them the best possible middle school experience. “Our most successful graduates are the students that found their voice, their people, and their confidence during their time in our program,” Price says.
Taking the time to ask questions that reveal culture, belonging, and support systems will ensure your highly-capable child is set up for that kind of success and is finding the best fit during these transformative years from sixth to eighth grade. “There are no dumb questions,” Price sums up, “This is your chance to get all the information you need to make the best choice for your child.”
Overview of NOVA Middle School in Olympia
NOVA has over 30 years of experience in the middle school education of highly-capable students. Their expertise draws on the collective wisdom of the faculty and administrative staff in the field of gifted education, emerging research in highly-capable education, and the thousands of interactions and practical experiences the school has had with highly-capable students.
Need more info? Parents and students interested in learning more about the school and taking a tour can go to the NOVA Middle School website.
NOVA Middle School
2020 22nd Avenue SE, Olympia
360.491.7097
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