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<p>Not to sound too cynical, but the school’s only “reason” may be that they do not want to expend the funds and manpower to do what they are obligated to do, which is provide an appropriate education for OP’s son. If parents pull out the highly gifted kid, rather than asking the school district to provide the classes he needs, then the school district does not have to pay to bus him elsewhere for math or pay fees for those programs – things they would otherwise need to do.</p>
<p>Post 361-Give the teachers et al more credit than that- they care about the kids not the budget, they are not the administration. They are expending extra time/energy on this kid instead of just shrugging their shoulders and telling them that’s how the system works. </p>
<p>Shadow- hang in there. Even the best states can’t make parents do what they should. Survive this school year, you are in no worse shape socially than many kids for many other reasons. Start with a clean slate and good attitude in college- don’t let bitterness or should haves, etc ruin your adulthood. We can’t choose our parents and you will meet many with parents who left worse scars on their children’s psyches due to their parenting.</p>
<p>OP- good job. A good thing is that these plans can always be revised next year as your son matures so much at this age/stage in life. Gifted kids need things to fill their time along with the needed academic stimulation. Breadth plus depth in life.</p>
<p>I’m graduating one year early in June. I’ve always felt like I fit in just fine socially, even though I’m the last to get my license. My mom graduated from college at 19 & never regretted that choice. On the other hand, she was glad that my brother was one of the older kids in his class.<br>
An important question might be “What does your son want to do?”
Some other options: applying to college after junior year of high school, Clarkson in NY has a high school/college boarding program that sounds interesting.</p>