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.
Actually, it is uncommon for students to take Pre-Algebra in 5th grade in our district as well although I believe that more kids could probably handle it if it were readily available. On the other hand, it is also possible that kids who are ready for Pre-Algebra in 5th may not all be ready for Pre-Calculus in 10th grade such that part of the restriction is to address future concerns. It would be fair to also point out that DD has had the benefits of a strong elementary math program, a parent with a math degree and a sibling who can readily rattle off an explanation if she ever gets stuck.
Of course, I do get your point and perhaps I am underestimating DD's math ability a little bit but not her "mathiness" as I have defined it because I am making a judgment based on her today with the understanding that she may change in the future. In fact, that is why I have insisted on her participation in a couple of the national math competitions and why she knows that she is expected to complete AP Calculus BC her senior year. We have had discussions and DD understands the importance of keeping her options open for college. At the same time, having had the opportunity to observe some of the very mathy kids on DS' competitive teams, I have to be realistic. While DD certainly has the ability to earn a degree in STEM and be a competent professional and perhaps even have some of these math geniuses report to her, she is unlikely to pioneer breakthroughs in math. By the way, that is not a put down of DD because she has some incredible abilities in other domains that may take her even farther. Like I said, if she does choose a STEM field, she will probably end up managing/supervising these technical genius types.
