Research Old Donation Center Public Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia

“Plaza Middle School's International Baccalaureate Program is AWESOME! The teachers and students throughout the school are really nice.”

“ODC is a Great school that challenges students to go above and beyond the basic level of learning. I have a son who just finished the 2nd grade and he loves the school. That's what it is all about!”

“My daughter has been enrolled in the visual art program for 4 years now and will start her 5th 09/08. She loves it there! She has expanded her art talent so much I am in awe of her! She is looking forward to applying for Salem High Schools Art Acad. I know her teachers will help her reach her goal! She loves her teachers and what they have taught her. She will be sad to leave next year!”

“One of the better schools in the Virginia Beach district. However, I believe the public school system has a long way to go in correctly identifying gifted students. The two tests that are administered (Naglieri and Otis-Lennon) are group tests which leave out students who may be highly distractable and need one on one attention. Or, they may leave out students who are creative thinkers in the highly gifted or profoundly gifted range who need their answers interpreted by a tester. Please read article at: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/on_testing.htm I've spoken to a couple of parents who were disappointed in this school and ended up taking their children out. The gifted label on the door, it seems, has made both students and teachers complacent. My child's teacher is on autopilot. There is little communication other than the progress reports and report cards. We need to tailor their curriculum so our nation can be competitive.”

“As a business partner at this school, I find the school's emphasis on preparing students for life outstanding. This is a school that prepares very bright capable children to work in a competitive world. The work ethic is reinforced at a basic level, and children are not afraid to get their hands dirty, even with mundane tasks. Though the population comes from the top one percent of the city's schools, these are not 'hothouse' flowers. Each term, community volunteers offer 'Quest' classes to widen the horizons for students. My company, NavyRackPacks, LLC, has taught a Quest on entrepreneurship for the last three terms-- bringing 'applied sciences' more commonly seen in 'vocational training' to a population of students who often are channeled into more academic routes. The teachers, students and staff have embraced the class and reinforced the idea that this school is preparing the next generation of thinkers, makers, doers.”

“The principal has high academic standards and communicates these standards from the very beginning and repeats these standards throughout the year. Teachers are highly qualified to teach gifted children, and they continue their training throughout the year. Parents are highly involved at Old Donation. You don't have to volunteer a lot of time and you don't have to be an expert. Old Donation focuses on safety of the children on a daily basis, and takes great steps to ensure kids are safe. Discipline is not an issue at this school. Parents and children are told from the beginning that behavior problems will not be tolerated. Children go to this school to learn, and behavior problems interfere with this objective. Children with serious infractions of this rule do not continue their education at Old Donation. There are many extracurricular activities that children are involved in both during and after school.”

“ODC is a superb school for gifted and talented students. The curriculum is appropriately challenging and the teachers/staff are the brightest and the best in the city.”

“I have taught at ODC for 5 years. Nowhere do teachers receive better training and support from the school administrators and city coordinators to teach and understand the gifted child. This translates to a highly collaborative staff that truly respects and seeks each other out professionally. Ultimately, the ODC student is immersed in a rigorous yet nurturing educational experience.”

“Unbelievably great public school. Designed for talented and gifted students. Must test for this school early. You must apply late winter, early spring. Academic program is designed with hands on learning an emphasis. Parents give tremendous support to the school. Unique extracurricular activities. School has destination imagination program where students give original thought and solutions to problems. Stresses teamwork, individuality, and out-of-the-box thinking. School itself has old facilites in need of updating. For its educational aspect, you simply can't find a better public school in virginia beach.”

“Old Donation Center (ODC) is an extraordinary school. One of the few, I have found to actually challenge the individual. ODC seems to raise the bar,and the kids impressively meet and often exceed those expectations. The school follows the required curriculum, however adds layers of depth. When my son s 2nd grade class studied economics, the class visited a local restaurant. They toured the restaurant, asked the owner questions, (What was your start up cost? - real business questions) Later in the week the kids ran a restaurant in their class. They designed a menu, staffed it with work stations, prepared the food, has an assembly line to fill the plates, served it to their customers (parents). When the kids were studying archaeology, they a went outside and participated in a dig. ODC keeps the kids engaged and is perfect for bright children whose needs are well beyond average.”