<p>We found that when we looked at privates (which an educational psychologist had recommended specifically because they were gifted-friendly), they had an attitude of “all our children here are gifted, therefore we don’t have to do anything for yours.” They wanted smart kids, but not kids who were out on the far edges of the curve. </p>
<p>One school wanted to have one of my kids repeat second grade because they used a June 1 birthday cutoff, unlike the public system, which used 12/31 at the time. We went to public and did the special system-wide gifted programs, which have worked out quite well. Got both my kids intellectual and age-level peer groups, as well as diverse and lively schools. Now if we had taken all the $$$ we saved in private school tuition and put it into the college fund, we’d be prepared! :*)</p>
<p>This is not to slam privates – I know many kids who have absolutely flourished. It was just not the place for my kid at that time.</p>