I could and should have been skipped, even in a high performing district. My brother should have as well (esp. him--he had a September birthday and was old for grade). I did not learn anything in language arts/reading until AP English my senior year of high school, and even at the time, even though math was not my strength, I also remember wanting to bang my head on the desk until I finally got to take algebra in 8th grade. (of course I didn't because I was a teacher-pleasing, well behaved girl).
We are currently requesting my dd11 to skip 6th grade. After seeing her melt-down yesterday after not understanding her math homework immediately, (after she calmed down and with some explanation she was able to do it in less than 10 minutes) I am more convinced than ever that the kid needs to be challenged appropriately, and that if she isn't skipped that won't happen. I want her to learn how to work BEFORE she gets to college.
Guess what--middle schoolers (or younger)--esp. HG/PG ones, may face some depression, skip or no skip. (See James Webb's stuff on this) Every kid is different, and I would guess that the parents here are putting a tremendous amount of thought and effort into these choices, and it seems clear to me, anecdotally that the majority of kids here who have skipped have had positive experiences.
