I think that if her Explore Scores in 5th grade were 'similar' to average Explore Scores for 8th graders that this is one of the best ways to 'wake up' a school system. (How did she do? PM Dottie if you want a 'wow-meter' for how impressed/concerned to be)
Try not to kick yourself too much - it isn't too late.
Sign her up for your local Talent Search, so she can take the SAT or ACT this December, and if she qualifies, go enrichment weekend activities, summer camp if you can manage it, and maybe even an online class if she is willing or you can bribe her.
Seriously, I have a friend of a friend who is a GT coordinator in a Fancy district, and I got to socialize with him, and said, regarding my then 9 year old son, who was acting out at school: 'Oh my, what shall I do?!?'
He said 'Here's the big secrete - have him take the SATs when he is 12 years old!'
I was glad to be sitting down - I was expecting much much more!
So really, you aren't 'late' at all by 'normal expert' standards.
The main thing is that you have noticed a change, and you want to correct it.
Welcome and so glad you are here!
Grinity
