We always focus on interests, goals and the future. High school and even college can be tough, but graduate school programs (that are celebrated, full of great students and taught by tremendous professors) is where it might be at for the gifted student if a structured school education is desired. The alternative is the chance to be almost old enough to no longer be a minor and just go for what the gifted person really wants to do with their time after high school - start a band, start a company (the 'millennials' are very into companies that are eco-friendly, honest (like the company started by Jessica Alba), values-based, non-profit, buy a shoe, give a pair of shoes away, fight pollution, support human rights, etc.). The Age of Information and Technology has really helped make a solid economy for gifted students in IT or the gifted IT students have really made a great economy for themselves and anyone who wants to join in. It is a very exciting time for young people.
Try going through a list of areas that your student may be interested in and match them with an online program or special event. For example, most major cities in the United States have Tech Weeks now, sponsored by the closest tech. teaching colleges and look for the related science festivals as well.
For the gifted students it is really all about igniting their individual passions (art, music, reading, writing, mathematics, whatever is on that student's list) and then matching them to the corresponding school, industry, company, museum, orchestra, etc.
Good Luck and hang in there. It really can be anything of interest. Just read a blurb about a man who was in love with old time pieces and now he is a world expert in designing new watches using the old technology. The watches are amazing just to look at, really works of art.
We have read about a 15 year old who wants to be the best chef in the world right now and he has been working in kitchens for years. Those kinds of stories might trigger the idea that it is okay to start doing whatever it is you want to be doing right now.
Best of Luck!
