My research brought me to Vanguard Gifted Academy. I sent an email immediately, I received a response very quickly, and within a week I was visiting Vanguard Gifted Academy. The moment I left that school I knew it was the place for my son. I knew there was finally a place where my son would not be different. He would not be the odd kid out and he would have a world of opportunity opening up for him. I was so happy, I was so relieved, and I couldn't wait to start him at Vanguard. He now had teachers that understood him and what he was going through. I had someone that I could rely on to talk to and get advice from, so I’m very grateful that we found Vanguard.
Here our son has been given an individualized learning menu for a portion of his day where he is challenged to learn at his level, at his pace, and develop the skills that he needs with content that he enjoys. This has made all the difference for him. Writing, for him, has never been a joy or a passion, but the Vanguard teachers are able to inspire him in a way that he is drawn to learn and develop skills outside of what he normally used to enjoy. This is so encouraging to us because what it tells us as parents is that these teachers really understand our son. They understand what interests him, what ignites a desire to learn in him, and then they're able to take that and translate it into multiple different content areas so that he can grow in a well-rounded education.
Kristine S. – Vanguard Parent
Read MoreOur granddaughter’s journey to Vanguard Gifted Academy began with her preschool graduation ceremony. Operated in conjunction with our local high school, her preschool teachers included many high school students. When we asked at the ceremony if we could meet her friends, she introduced us to three scholarly teens who told us that they were honored that our granddaughter would interact with them as she shied away from the other student teachers and preschoolers. Concerned that her daughter was not a good fit for preschool, her mother sought a professional evaluation. We learned that our 4-year old granddaughter needed intellectual peers and would not be best served by another year at preschool or even traditional kindergarten when age appropriate. We read numerous books on the characteristics of gifted children and on the best educational approaches to maximize their growth and development. Armed with an understanding of what would be the ideal environment, we searched available opportunities in our area. After visiting Vanguard Gifted Academy and speaking with the head of school, Elizabeth Blaetz, it was clear to us that Vanguard was the only school whose teaching approach fit the experts’ recommendations for teaching children like our granddaughter. It only took one day at her new “purple” school for our granddaughter to announce that “there are other kids like me and they are all so nice.” Showcase Night confirmed that observation for us. The children were so excited to demonstrate what they had learned that quarter and to include everyone in the Showcase experience. We left that night amazed, amused and knowing that Vanguard was the right choice for our granddaughter.
Grandparents of a Vanguard Student
Read MoreVanguard Gifted Academy, Beth, Shannon, and Stacy have been a tremendous blessing for our family. Our daughter is the first of our three children to graduate VGA and transition to a public middle school. Undoubtedly, moving from elementary school to middle school is nerve racking for many parents and children, but this was especially the case for us, as we worried about how she would adapt to such a large school size (approx 1200 students) after attending VGA for two years. Our fears were quickly eased and our faith in VGA and its teachers reaffirmed, when we saw how beautifully she adapted to her new school. The teachers at VGA nurture an environment where our daughter not only achieved academic excellence but became an independent, self-aware learner who advocates for herself. Furthermore, VGA’s project-based learning helped her acquire skills to work as part of a team while also learning to recognize when she should lead. Academically, middle school has been a breeze for her, leaving her nostalgic for the academic vigor at VGA. Socially, she has found her group of friends and is thriving. While she misses VGA very much, she is well prepared to meet any future challenges and for that, we are and will forever be grateful to the VGA team.