Many believe that school will be easy for gifted children, that their advanced abilities will be recognized and that any school will appropriately challenge them. The truth is that educating gifted and advanced students comes with unique challenges which requires an appropriate environment with the support they need to thrive.
The Avery Coonley School recognizes these myths exist and has developed an environment that is specifically designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. As longtime leaders and renowned experts in gifted education, Avery Coonley has developed research-based programs that meet the academic needs of advanced learners while also addressing their unique social-emotional learning needs.
Angel Van Howe, social emotional facilitator and gifted coordinator and host of The Gifted Ed Podcast, sums up the school’s philosophy: “At Avery Coonley, we teach more than just the mind. We connect with the heart and spirit of each student, making sure they feel seen, valued and understood.”
Building a like-minded community
Gifted kids often feel and think more deeply than their peers, which can make typical school environments feel isolating, says Van Howe. “A gifted child may show intense emotions or ask many questions. When a school sees these traits as disruptive, it can be crushing to the child.”
“Gifted children aren’t just curious,” Van Howe explains. “They’re also sensitive and emotionally complex. It’s important they learn in an environment that celebrates these traits, not one that merely tolerates them.”
Unlike other schools with part-time or pull-out gifted programs, Avery Coonley offers a full-time comprehensive program where children are immersed in a learning experience with peers of similar ability.
“Our students are gifted all day, not just for an hour. They thrive in a setting that challenges and supports them throughout the entire day,” says Van Howe.
This comprehensive approach allows students to connect deeply with classmates who share similar intellectual and emotional experiences, Van Howe notes. “Kids in our setting feel validated and empowered to challenge themselves.”
The importance of social-emotional learning
The fact that Avery Coonley has a Student Support Service Center with social workers and math and literacy specialists is a testament to how much the school appreciates the whole child approach to education, says Van Howe. Avery Coonley offers programs that are flexible, responsive, and designed to adapt not just to the academic calendar, but also to the students’ immediate emotional states.
“Flexibility in our academic and social and emotional learning approach allows us to meet students exactly where they are, providing support that feels relevant and immediate,” says Van Howe. This adaptability extends to various levels of support, ensuring personalized interventions that range from group instruction to one-on-one sessions with social workers.
Creating a support system
Van Howe and the team at Avery Coonley understand that supporting a gifted child involves the entire family and community. “To truly support these young minds, we engage their whole environment — home, school, community,” she says.
This approach helps support families who recognize that while their child’s intellectual capabilities are advanced, their social development may align more closely with or even lag behind their age.
While The Avery Coonley School is focused on academic achievement and growth, it also seeks to foster caring, capable individuals who are ready to tackle life’s challenges and become the next generation of leaders, says Van Howe. “Gifted education is about more than just academic success. It’s about nurturing well-rounded, happy kids.”
To learn more about The Avery Coonley School visit: averycoonley.org.
