<p>I’d add, for parents of kids who are faced with young kids of high ability (who may not be “off the chart” but are bored with school) that shopping for an appropriate “gifted” program (high ability, gifted & talented, and other names may apply) may be worth the effort. Some such programs, even in public school systems, offer flexible learning options that let kids advance at their own pace in different areas. This gives the the opportunity to move ahead rapidly but stay in a group with peers who are not only the same age but who often share similar interests. That won’t work for a six year old who’s sequencing genes, but might be a great choice for a kid who’s a year or two ahead of his classmates in one or more areas.</p>