Hi,
My Davidson ds9, has been skipped to advanced 6th grade math. He's doing ok, it's an online class and he's playing catch up as he didn't move until 5 weeks into our school year. It's self-paced, he uses his math period and home to do his work. Tests are taken at school longhand, quizzes are taken online. So far, he loves it, we've hit some bumps but really just getting used to the format.
We are faced with continuing this double math acceleration through high school which raises some difficulties, mostly requiring more online classes, including next year's advanced 7th grade math class and then potentially two high school classes during middle school. He would not be allowed to go to the middle or high school to take them in person even though they are walking distance. So, knowing that, we are contemplating a mid year grade skip, it has been in consideration for several years. It would prevent as many online classes, maybe just this year and in 8th grade. He would move from 4th to 5th after Christmas or earlier if all the IAS and psych meetings go smoothly. He is universally gifted. His handwriting is awful to me, but I have seen worse and he can do better just usually doesn't slow down enough. His writing ability is significantly above grade level in content, reading level has been determined to be in 11th grade.
A skip would put him one year behind his older brother, rather than two and they are 56 weeks apart in age. My older DS11, is also gifted, not as high and very aware of the distinction. My younger is a student, older prefers socializing/sports though is on the Honor Roll too.
Given this situation, what are the most important things for us to consider if the skip option becomes viable? We do Club soccer, so athletics aren't a real issue. It is possible the NC School of Science and Math will open up live online courses by that time as they already conduct those for precalc and higher...meaning he would have a real class to attend after this year and next, a strong cohort and real time teacher just not in person.
If we don't skip, there are options for dual enrollment at a community college nearby for the later high school classes (he would be able to take AP Calc AB/BC and AP Statistics in any high school ) or he could attend a magnet high school which would offer a larger variety of adv math).
I do know he will get high school credit for the middle school classes he takes at the high school level, but they and any dual enrollment courses wouldn't hit his GPA. Only high school classes taken in the high school will count towards GPA.
Thoughts? It's a lot to consider between the sibling gap, the online efficacy of classes and also knowing he'll still be responsible for any 5th grade content he will have missed on his EOGs for ELA, math and science.
Thx,
Shannon L.
