We just made this decision a couple months ago. Our DS7 was grade-skipped into our local public 2nd grade, and things were not challenging enough for him. They were doing lots of pullouts and doing their best, but we decided that a school for HG kids would be better for him, mainly so he would not be the only kid like him in the school and so he would have the chance to learn alongside intellectual peers.

When our DS went on the school tour, he thought it was great, and was all for the move. When it became a reality, he started getting cold feet, but that is only natural. We talked about the decision as a family decision, but really DS did not have much say as a just-turned 7yo. Friends were a concern for him too, but we said we'd still be able to see his friends, like we still see his friends from the grade he skipped out of.

Things have been great at the new school. Even though it was hard to leave mid-year, DS is learning things that he wouldn't have learned for another year or two at the other school. He complains sometimes that he doesn't like to think, and he misses the pullouts at the other school because he got out of classroom projects, but we think that is a positive sign for a kid who has never had to think before.

The transition for our DS was pretty smooth. The new class was very welcoming, and the teacher is super fun. We have no regrets about our decision. Good luck!

ETA - As for having a stubborn child, we have one too. What we found though, is that in the before-the-decision-was-made talks, DS understood that the new school would be better in many ways. So, we were very matter of fact when we made the decicion, reminding DS what he had thought about the new school. We remained even-keeled, and basically told him that the family decided that this was the best decision for now. Sometimes you have to make tough parenting decisions, but deciding what the best educational plan is at the moment for your children, is, IMHO, a parental decision.

Last edited by st pauli girl; 03/09/11 05:32 PM. Reason: talk about stubborn kids