Growing Up Gifted @ United Square--People's Experiences?

[expatbostonians]

I'm considering sending my daughter to Growing Up Gifted @ United Square for their 2 hours, 2x a week program.

I'm curious to hear what other parents think about them--the good, the bad and the ugly. I liked their emphasis on phonics and the Mandarin instruction. the 2 days x 2 hours seems like an age-appropriate introduction to school, and with the Mandarin, it does offer things to her that I can't give her (my second language is French, and over the years I've lost quite a bit of fluency).

If you don't like them, what's your recommendation? Please no Montessori/Waldorf options...I don't subscribe to their philosophy of education.

[mumfromOz]

Hi there,

Ecerything about GUG is just average. I had my youngest there for a while but too many teacher changes and same old-same old activities left my daughter bored and unstimulated. The management we ere nice, everyone was nice, it was just a bit ho-hum.

You can try a few places....

Liitle village, wee care....I have mine at the thinking box which is a good fit for me and what I want for my kids. None of these places are Montessori or waldorf or reggio Emilia.

Anyway, hope this helps!

[aiessence]

Hi, my younger child started GUG 1.5 years ago as a toddler and loves the program. We plan to continue and enroll him in GUG's kindergarten. We've checked around and still find GUG's curriculum and activities unbeatable, especially their kindergarten side which my elder child had graduated from their K2 program a year ago. There's a lot of creativity and fun. She's learned to read and write well and amazes us with her general knoweldge which we credit the school for. Overall we find GUG's standard and quality excellent and have highly recommended to friends and relatives. To each their own, so perhaps it'll help to go for a trial class or talk to the school to see if it suits what you're looking for.

[ladydimante]

They used to be good - until the last few years when they started running as a business instead of a passionate pre-school. I find their curriculum a mish-mash of various things without focus and the teachers only so-so. There are better alternatives out there.