By the way, I would not equal being able to handle Pre-Algebra in 5th with mathy. To me, interest/passion is an essential component of mathy; DD has none. Furthermore, a very smart kid could use their general intelligence to rapidly cover materials through Algebra I and perhaps be fine even Geometry or Algebra II, but will likely hit a wall somewhere beyond. I also see something similar going on in Science, where DD averages 97-99%(even in middle school where that is not common) and where her work products have been selected for competition or display despite her not particularly strong grasps of science. I have to sit down and explain deeper connections and sometimes even basic principles to her but she can generate top-notch multi-page lab reports - those exceptional writing & illustrating skills put her over the top.
Being able to handle pre-Algebra in 5th is indeed WAY above the norm for math. Even if in your district it's not that uncommon. Except for outright outliers no one takes pre-Algebra in my district till 6th.. and then about 10% of students take it.
I think you are underestimating your DD's math ability. This is easy to do when we are around a lot of people who are good at math. I think it's particularly easy to do with girls. I graduated with a degree in math & went on to work as a computer programmer for many years. In 5th grade none of my so called interests would have made anyone think I was going to take math in university.. I was not considered "mathy" in 5th grade and refused to do any math that was up and above the regular school work. Mostly I loved to read and be out-of-doors, but I did do very well in math without much effort. I ended up one of the few women in the honors math tracks at school. But I wouldn't never have dreamed in H.S. of joining chess club, or computer science club.
