We started the gifted private school route this year. So far its been great. DS6 has made friends, and seems to like the school. However each child is different. Our DS6 gets along well, and had no issues in Public K. He tends to go with the flow. The good thing that we see is that he is no longer singled out, or no longer the lone stand out. When they moved him to 2nd grade math, they moved him with 3 other students. If he needs to go further, the school will do what is needed. There is a lot of flexibilty in the program. It was also nice for him to learn that their are much brighter students then he is, and that being bright only means you learn fast, and that who you are and how hard you work have more value. The other change for us was, that we have more trust of the school and the teachers to provide him what he needs (We still monitor though). Because its a small school(350 srudnets 1-9 grade), their is a great community feel. They offer a good wide base for the studnets, including athletics. This school is much more then just producing children that are good at math and reading. They work on the whole child, producing life long independent learners. Not all schools are like this one, but it has been a good fit for us. They also offer many things for family involvement.
Last edited by Edwin; 10/27/08 09:26 AM.
My DH said how the 8th graders probably view MrWiggly as some sort of oddity or "pet" and the teacher was very quick to point out that this wasn't the case. She said the 8th graders all genuinely like him and are eager to talk to him and play with him. When he's late or misses a day she says all the kids ask where he is. I was floored when the 3rd grade teacher said it is NOT like that in her class. Drove home the idea of "like minded peers" and the need for him to be with others his age and at his level. Although the future MrsWiggly is a 3rd grader who apparently likes him quite a lot! 
