<p>Thanks to all who wrote in with advice. Here's a little more info in response:
Texas137, I have asked his studio teachers for advice, and they beg me to keep him here. This is natural - with all the lessons he takes, he's the goose that lays the golden eggs for his little studio (whose teachers are of unusually high caliber.) So no recommendations are forthcoming from them.
Ceruleanne and SBmom, the university near us is Berkeley, and a 3.5 gpa from our school district just won't make the cut. His A's were mainly in music performance classes, which he took a lot of. He is not considered one of the strong students at his school. Discipline and focus are just what he lacks - he's classic ADD. Sure, we'll apply, but...
Carolyn and Calmom, he travels to about 8 major competitions a year and has moved up through the ranks rapidly. I talked him into trying a teen class 3 years ago hoping he would enjoy dancing socially as I do, never suspecting it would immediately become an all-encompassing passion. I had to plead to keep him on the basketball team this year (he's their center) and he quit participating in most other school functions. I think he's reluctant to leave a place where he gets so much positive reinforcement, and Mr. Grandiose also thinks that college teams are too far below his level. He isn't willing to settle for mere fun - he wants to reach the top.
Mini, Warblersrule86, and Quiltguru, thanks for the information and kind words. I'll e-mail the teams and check out the reputations of the coaches. I do know the Claremont team and would love for him to go there, but it's likely he'd only get into Pitzer, which worries me due to its drug reputation (son of a good friend went there.) I'll check out Utah. He may change his mind about staying home, but if he decides to go the csu or commmunity college route, I'll try to dwell on the positive - at least I won't have to worry about the tuition bills and too much partying.</p>