Our 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.