Decide by actually meeting and knowing the teachers. I have seen a trend of the best teachers opting for second grade. Once they go through basic training (third grade), they go to the second grade where they can actually teach. For a giftie, the teacher counts the most. If you get a strict, by the book teacher three grade levels higher, it is worse than a teacher who allows your child to accelerate at a lower grade level.
I have had to move my daughter based on philosophy. Gifties are so sensitive to rigid teaching.
And no - principals usually don't get it. Their goal is passing the tests.
