What's the best private school in California for a gifted, right-brained kid?

Why stick to California? Since you seem to be okay with boarding school, you might want consider some of the schools in the northeast. There’re more than a few good ones.

(I presume you mean high school level, yes?)

@Akiora yes, i meant to say High school. His brother goes to school in CA so it’s easier on the family….

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Thacher – but I’m not too well acquainted with the school myself. Good luck to him!

@Akiora Welcome to Fluther. Lurve.
After HS, the California College of Arts in Oakland is highly regarded.

I’m an advocate for homeschooling. I home schooled both of my sons, and partially home schooled three of my grandsons. We found a wonderful outreach program provided by the public school system, which allowed our boys to do their work at home, and attend classes twice a week to test on the finished material, and receive their new assignments. It may be that your area has the same type of program.

Best in what area? Do you want a place that will be an ivory tower preparing the child on his path to a PhD in 16th century French literature or some other arcane field. Or do you want a place where he will have a well rounded diverse education that will prepare him to make good choices in both his future career as well as his personal life. I would find a local public school with a GATE program that enables students to take some classes at the local university. Unless I was required by my job to work in Mongolia or Antarctica, I don’t think I would send my adolescent son to an overprivileged, undersupervised intellectual hothouse.

@galileogirl your answer is too prejudiced and bigoted

VanDamme Academy is best for anyone.

CAIS and NAIS (Ca. Ass’n of Independent Schools and National Ass’n of Indie Schools have lists.

CA is a big state. Where? How big? Tradtional Liberal Arts, small, big, Quaker school, coed, etc? What other qualities does this kid have besides being bright? Where is his brother at school? Is money an issue? What about student diversity?

Harvard-Westlake school in LA is a typical, high-end, competitive independent day school. It does have a diverse student population.

I went to an excellent public HS outside of NYC. My kids went to an Independent Day School owne an operated by The Society of Friends. They had a better experience socially, intellectually and in terms of a moral and social-service background that they will keep forever.

@YARNLADY How prejudiced and bigoted is TOO prejudiced and bigoted? lol Disagreement does not equal bigotry.

@Corey_D There is no school that is best for everyone,

Your comment “overprivileged, undersupervised intellectual hothouse” leaves nothing to disagree with, it is about as bigotted as it can be, but I was trying to be nice.

Well you just missed by a hair

@galileogirl So what exactly is your beef? What bad experience have you had with a good school that would lead to your comment?

@YARNLADY It’s totally your interpretation. I have never had a bad experience with a private school. I went to a parochial elementary school and got a good very education. I went to several public schools also without trauma. I am a firm believer in the idea that what you put into an experience is an indicator of what you will get from it. I also believe the best life experience is inclusive not exclusive and that parents are the most important prople in a child’s life. So you can see that’s the source of my prejudice, bigotry and warped view on education. (mea culpa)

@galileogirl You said ” I don’t think I would send my adolescent son to an overprivileged, undersupervised intellectual hothouse.” Making unsupported statements as strong as that is prejudie and bigotted. I am asking why you believe a private school for the gifted would be like that that. I never used the word “warped”

Because I have known kids who have had bad outcomes in those situations and kids who are left with strangers before they are ready. I don’t think it is worth the risk to let 14 yos be without parental oversight. It shouldn’t be the hovering parent but it should be the aware, safety net parent at that age. Institutions have agendas that are not necessarily the same as parents’ The parent wants the best for their child and an institution has to have its own survival as it’s first priority.

Polytechnic School in Pasadena and Harvard Westlake in North Hollywood are the two very best in California Phillips Andover and Exeter are best in the nation, Poly holds the worldwide standing as being the best in AP calculus AB but all schools are very difficult to get into and typically admit 10 to 20 students a year Poly accepts 20 students 10 boys and ten girls and only allows 9th grade admission for upper school, your child needs to be the best in his school and top in the nation to be considered to these schools but academics are not enough sports also play a large role

@jkj welcome to fluther. Lurve