There are several posts that show how 16 is NOT too young for college (including one of mine). There are parents who feel their 18 year old is not ready for college. Those 16 year olds who have spent middle and HS with the peer group heading off to college is far more ready than the student who skips one or more of those years. Yes, there will be age related differences but that is the nature of being gifted. No reason to force a child to be with age mates, needing to be bored and not forge ahead has its own problems.
Just as bad to be held back and not be allowed to forge ahead academically. Gee- you can’t take calculus because you aren’t old enough???
Poster in #55- you are doing better than you think if you have older good friends. Your maturity level fits theirs even if you can’t bar hop when they do.