Which grade does middle school start in this private school system? I'd personally be inclined to wait until your ds is in middle school if you're concerned about math placement - it should be easier at that point, particularly if he's taken a middle school course (such as pre-algebra or algebra etc) at his previous school.
We are having our first experience with Saxon math this year - dd8, 3rd grade - her school switched from a more traditonal math program. She's in a school that pushes advanced academics but doesn't differentiate in elementary school. When Saxon was introduced we were told that it might seem to be a bit repetitive for the first part of the year, but to be patient - it was all good, all great, whatever. We're way more than halfway through the year now, and dd hasn't learned ONE danged thing that's new... and she's been repeating math that was taught as a part of the regular grade level math curriculum in 2nd grade last year, as well as having to pratice math facts repeatedly ad nauseum that she can already regurgitate out at an astronomical rate. I could go on... but clearly I'm not impressed with Saxon... and I would be very hesitant to purposely move a child who's been accelerated back into grade-level Saxon. Maybe it's more challenging in upper elementary, but in lower elementary it appears to be the least challenging math curriculum I've seen....
(stepping off my soap box now!)
And now - that said about Saxon - I had some concerns moving my dd into a private school that was very open about "we don't do differentiation" - in spite of that official policy and aside from the Saxon nightmare, her teachers have been VERY good about letting dd achieve and learn at her own pace, and about giving her challenging work, and at recognizing her achievement. So - no official differentiation, but absolutely, the teachers are working with kids and watching and keeping track of who will be given opportunities to subject-accelerate officially in middle school. So in spite of the school advertising a "no acceleration" policy, it's possible it might be a good fit based on how teacher's meet individual student needs in their classroom.
Best wishes,
polarbear
Good luck,
polarbear
Last edited by polarbear; 02/06/13 02:58 AM.