Hell no. The last thing we need is to segregate arbitrarily designated 'gifted' students from the rest of the school population. Not only will that breed resentment amongst peer groups, it also reduces the amount of important social interaction that takes place. Some of my best friends and the most inspiring people to me were so-called 'average' students who I wouldn't have met if I had gone to some smarty pants academy.
I was considered a gifted student and had the chance to go to some fancy private schools but I stayed at my public school and you know what, I absolutely loved it. Were the classes slow for me and too easy? Obviously, but I always brought a book (or three) and would read them throughout the day and at lunch. I slacked off on my homework and taught myself how to program. I helped my friends with their work - not cheating, but actively tutoring and explaining the principles. One of my friends who absolutely sucked at math is now graduating with a chem degree.
If a student is truly gifted, they will learn on their own and help others. As society becomes ever more unequal and stratified, we need as much social pollination as possible. Hell, the way public schools are going we should keep as many smart kids in there as we can. There were some student-run after school courses at my HS that were amazing.
I was considered a gifted student and had the chance to go to some fancy private schools but I stayed at my public school and you know what, I absolutely loved it. Were the classes slow for me and too easy? Obviously, but I always brought a book (or three) and would read them throughout the day and at lunch. I slacked off on my homework and taught myself how to program. I helped my friends with their work - not cheating, but actively tutoring and explaining the principles. One of my friends who absolutely sucked at math is now graduating with a chem degree.
If a student is truly gifted, they will learn on their own and help others. As society becomes ever more unequal and stratified, we need as much social pollination as possible. Hell, the way public schools are going we should keep as many smart kids in there as we can. There were some student-run after school courses at my HS that were amazing.