<p>Snarlatron, I agree with this approach, but some kids are good at every or almost every subject, and feel compelled to take honors classes in all of them. In most public high schools, honors classes are about pace and quantity of work. They’re not necessarily more intellectually challenging than AP classes, although the kids in them tend to be more interested in the subject. For a gifted kid, tons of work without much intellectual challenge is the kiss of death, so I’d advise any parent with a child like this to think carefully before just assuming that all honors classes are the answer.</p>