First grade was when we realized that DS7's school wasn't a good fit. DS didn't attend public school, but his traditional private was seemed focused on teaching only a first grade curriculum. Advanced work took the form of supplementation (extra busy work) and learning without differentiated instruction (basically, work ahead without teacher feedback).
Fortunately, we recognized right away that it was not a good learning environment for DS and were able to switch schools mid year. My normally excitable, motivated child became disengaged, careless, and even cynical about school (at age six!). We weren't having it, so we left.
I think first grade is the year that "real" academics come into play and advanced/gifted kids can languish in classrooms.
