<p>IF you find your son is stuck due to insurmountable scheduling problems, perhaps his boredom can be alleviated by participating in math, science and robotics competitions. My son was an active member of Science Olympiad (the team competition), MathCounts and GPML math team, Knowledge Master, Science Knowledge Bowl and later a NASA financed space simulation program. You don’t have to rely on in-school classes for all intellectual stimulation.</p>
<p>Please note I am not excusing the appalling state of middle school education for the upper end of the aptitude scale. I’m just suggesting ways for a smart kid to survive those years.</p>
<p>I don’t think that the middle-school Earth Science will give a student anything close to the system you are talking about. I love Earth Science (my mom is a geologist, and I picked up a lot of it above and beyond of what is taught in school). But (unless Kelowna’s DS’s school is a pleasant exception) I don’t think that the class will give this kid anything he can’t get from a book. There’s also a course like this in CTY <a href=“http://cty.jhu.edu/cde/science/earthandspace.html[/url]”>http://cty.jhu.edu/cde/science/earthandspace.html</a></p>
<p>Kelowna:
This is not “pushing”. For gifted kids, the appropriate level (challenging for them) is essential for their well-being. I agree that many schools are not offering enough to these kids (and you are actually in quite a lucky situation when the school is not preventing your kid from going ahead, and is offering you the acceleration… many parents have to fight for this kind of arrangements). If the scheduling will prevent him from taking Biology, try to find some supplement for DS. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all for responding.
Next week we are meeting with a GC at a HS we are hopig S will attend. I am hoping to get some more information as to how this HS accelerates or accomodates students who are already accelerated. We are considering quite seriously an IB program. One of the options for college is Europe, and then IB would be a great asset.</p>
<p>Please try to connect with other parents of gifted kids in your area- to mentor and to be mentored. Those parents can help in knowing how your system works (or doesn’t), and being outside the school they can say things no teacher can…</p>