What's on the vanguard test? I have a Pre-K 4 year old that will be sitting the test next February and I believe the applications open up in Novemeber. I think our current top 3 selections are 1. TH Rodgers 2. Riveroaks 3. Oak Forest Has anyone else been through or should I say put their child through the process? Is there anything to look out or I should know? Thanks in advance, pretty nervous as its all new to me!
I took the Vanguard test growing up but that was about 25 years ago. Also attended River Oaks Elementary from 1st through 5th grade and then T.H. Rogers for 6th through 8th grades. Both are great schools. Hopefully someone here can give you more current info on the testing process. If you still need some info I can ask around for you.
I don't know how much help this will be, but I took the Vanguard test a while ago. While I don't remember most of it, I do remember having to look at pictures of objects and saying what they were, and I had to do some athletic stuff of a mat (running, skipping, cartwheeling.) That's about all I can recall, though there was definitely more. I'm also sure that the test has changed a ton since I took it. Overall, though, I don't really think it's something one can prepare for.
I had a friend in high school that was in the Vanguard program for most of his life until he transferred/moved into my district (Spring). His grades transferred over and he was automatically put in the top 5% of my graduating class. He was pretty smug about this and how he cheated the system etc etc. The dude wasn't really as smart as he boasted. A couple of weeks before graduation the school did some recalculation and adjusted his Vanguard classes to "on-level" classes at my high school. He went from being ranked in the mid-twenties and having a seat in the front row of the graduating class to being dropped all the way back since his last name started with a W. Next thing you know he was stealing rims off of cars in the parking lot next to Jester dorms at UT.
There's not a lot they can do to a 4 year old. Kid can't even read. Maybe they interview him, ask some spatial questions, and look at his drawings. I don't think there's something to worry about. Show up and let them do their thing. He either 'passes' or he doesn't. If he passes, great. If he doesn't pass, tell everyone HISD is filled with stupid assholes and completely dysfunctional. But, I'd advise you to expand your pool beyond 3 schools. I'm not as familiar with Oak Forest, but Rogers and River Oaks are both in very high demand. Even doing well on the test, those schools might not have a place to offer.
