Thank you for all the replies. Because the cost of private gifted schools near us are so expensive, we are trying to figure out if we can make public school work. As others have suggested, I know that once he hits middle school and especially high school things will be better. It is the next four years until then I'm concerned about. I was hoping to get some words of encouragement that it really can work.
I also agree that the right teacher can make all the difference. However, I have also learned that even if you have the right teacher if it is a tough class with lots of behavior problems it doesn't matter how good the teacher is. This year DS got the teacher everyone said would be the best match for him, and even though she is very enthusiastic and has good intentions 1st grade has been pretty much of a waste. Because she has to spend so much time controlling the class and giving extra attention to three or four students to keep them in-line and on task, she has been unable to either adequately challenge DS academically or accommodate his 2e (I'm pretty sure eventual diagnosis will be dysgraphia).
