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Hi
My son is attending one of RGC class(1st grade) now. I’m thinking keep let him take RGC and classical test this year again.
I’m still not sure what’s different between Classical and RGC? I knew the test for Classical is Math and Reading but hopefully someone explains more for me.
My understanding is Classical is more difficult to get in,so classical is better school?Thanks in advance.
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Hello. If you are talking about Classical schools such as Skinner North, you will need to score 99/99% to get in. Other Classical schools such as Skinner West, Bronzeville, and Decatur are somewhat easier to get into, primarily because of location and neighborhood dynamics.
The same applies to RGCs: for Edison and Bell, your child will need to score 145+ (essentially 99%), as these are considered the top programs in the city. Openings there are extremely rare, but students can gain admission with lower scores at RGCs such as McPherson, Pritzker, Beaubien, Lenart, and Keller.
Lenart and Keller are full-site RGCs and excellent schools, but because of their location on the far South Side, they tend not to be as competitive. We know families who were admitted with scores around 130.
It is important to keep in mind that this discussion mainly applies to entry grades, where schools typically open a full class of seats. After those grades, the number of available spots shrinks dramatically. In most years, you will see only one or two seats open up per grade, if any. Based on our experience, the top Classical and RGCs — including Bell, Edison, and Skinner North — often have years where they do not release even a single spot outside of the entry level.
We also know kids and families across both highly competitive RGCs and Classical schools, and the key difference lies in English. Classical schools emphasize writing, essays, and literary analysis, while RGCs take a broader, more holistic approach with stronger integration across math, science, and humanities. Both programs teach at least one grade level above, and some RGCs may push students up to two grade levels ahead, especially in math.
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The previous poster hit the nail on the head. From my experience as an RGC parent, the RGC schools essentially just teach the content for a year ahead, but accelerated. My current 5th grader learned math into the middle of 6th grade standards last year and is cruising through 6th grade math this year (they always start with some review).
I think there’s a lot of angst among parents about which school or school type is “best.” It’s a public school system, there’s only so much each school can do given the curriculum they operate in. They all do mostly the same stuff, just with different speeds and different styles.
When picking the school, pay attention to their culture/ethos. My kid’s school has a strong social justice focus so a lot of the content they read is focused around that. Other kids I know are at schools that emphasize language, or the arts, etc. That’s where the differences start to become more meaningful.
Also, don’t add an epic commute to go to somewhere like Skinner West because it’s “better” according to some internet strangers if you’re already at somewhere like Bell or Lenart.
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Absolutely agree with everything above. We personally were at a private school in downtown and only considered Skinner North (SN) and Bell due to our location, and these are among the hardest to get into. In fact, we waited five (!!!) years for a spot to open in our grade, despite our child having almost perfect scores each year. But this was the best thing we could have ever done for our son who is now so happy.
That said, if commute is not an issue, Chicago offers many excellent options with strong programs and wonderful communities. As the previous poster mentioned, it is essential to look at what the school emphasizes and whether that aligns with your family’s priorities.
For example, Skinner North has exceptional in English—students write long essays, analyze complex works, and consistently test 2–3 grades above their current grade level in English. However, many families supplement math outside the school, as math enrichment and other subjects like science, art, music, STEM, and social studies are not as strong. Edison RGC has a tight-knit community, ranked as number 1 in Illinois/Chicago, but often lacks resources compared to other RGCs. Based on our experience, it also attracts kids who often need to work on socio-emotional skills more than other kids. Bell offers an amazing program and community, but may not be ideal for families who prefer gifted students to be mixed with neighborhood kids for specials or who want a smaller school experience. Lenart and Keller offer an advanced and enriched program, focusing on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and general problem-solving skills. However, neighborhood dynamic is not as great. Bronzeville Classical and Decatur offers a personalized learning experience, celebrating diversity, and practicing creative problem-solving to cultivate a strong accelerated program. Not the best locations though if you do not live around these schools.
Ultimately, as many have mentioned, choosing the right RGC vs. Classical school requires careful consideration of academic focus, enrichment opportunities, community, and fit for your child’s needs and personality. Wishing everyone to find that perfect balance.
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Thanks for all information! Very helpful and clear to understand. My son should have taken test when he was Pre-k for entry grade.He took a test last year and got almost perfect RGC score.Bell is our first choice (for 1st grade) I guess Bell didn’t have any available spot or so many students applied.
We got offer from our 2nd choice school and accepted.
His classical score was Reading 99%/math 80%,so definitely not enough score to get in that’s why we are thinking keep take a test and waiting for opportunity to transfer Bell or Edison.-
May I ask if you have found it difficult to enter non entry level years? I didn’t test my 4 year old for Kindergarten placement but we are going to try this year for 1st grade next year.
Any advice on prep for 1st grader for both RGC and Classical
TIA I hope you get into the school you’d like
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We never tested our kids in entry years, either, but we got very lucky with 5th grade entry to Edison this year. Thought I’d add my two cents on how it looks as the kids get older!
Students were split into two math groups; one group works one grade level ahead while the other works two grade levels ahead. Reading selections and analysis are on par with or the same books as what my older child read in 7th in private, while writing assignments seem to be on a 6th level. History and science seem rigorous but fun; I would say what my 5th grader is doing feels similar to what my other child did in 6th/7th at private.
I’ve not noticed what another poster said about Edison attracting kids who need more social-emotional support. Admittedly, we’re only a month-ish in, so I haven’t had the chance to volunteer much or get to know kids as well as I have at previous schools we attended. They definitely seem like an incredibly bright group of children and I think gifted children, especially in groups, approach conversation, interests, and play differently. However, it has been very easy for my child to warm up to new classmates and make friends.
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For Bell the entire class is accelerated in math by one year from k-3rd.
This year in 4th.. they are rapidly churning though 5th grade math and proceeding to 6th grade. There are not two Math groups.
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My son didn’t take test when he was 4y for entry grade kindergarten. Because I don’t think he can survive 60 minutes test with some strangers and I didn’t want him have bad test experience. When he hit 5y then I thought he is ready to take a test and finally understood what’s meaning of question!
Test for 1st grade will be 90 minutes test and have to take 2 separate RGC and classical test if you want. Amazon sell gifted test practice book. I didn’t use it but many people use testing mom website.
Problem for non entry grade is not so many spots available for new students. Especially several top school. Also have to get almost perfect score to get offer first day of release result day. If don’t have to be top school, seems waitlist around #15 still got offer in September.-
Yes, and I think it gets more difficult the higher the grade, until everyone shifts around again when testing for Academic Centers in 7th. We were 5th entry last year, “perfect” gifted score, #1 on several RGC lists…got in at Edison, where we were initially #4.
If you’re curious, you can follow the waitlist journeys from last year in this thread: https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/spring-2024-cps-sees-classical-gifted-results/
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May I asked what you used for study? We are not aiming for top schools like Edison.
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I used this practice book last year for entering 1st grade.
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Thank you so very much for this
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Hi all. Has everyone in SEES schools received the CPS survey to assess Classical, RGC and Personalized Learning programs? There is no question about keeping those programs, but instead the questions are rather vague. I am thinking this is a start of elimination of these precious schools, this is what CA and NY states did – they eliminated them gradually. Any thoughts or insights on this?
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They sent the same survey last year. They gave two schools exemplary status based at least in part on the responses. I see no indication that this is related to getting rid of these schools or programs.
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