We moved to a new school district this year. Both DS10 (5th grade) and DS9 (3rd grade) were recommended by their teachers for the gifted pullout program. DS9 (outgoing, "showily" bright) has been chosen for the program, but the process is lagging for DS10 (quieter, doesn't want to seem like a "nerd").

If DS10 doesn't get chosen, any words of advice? I am worried he will decide he is "not smart" to go along with his self-assessment of "not popular" and the idea breaks my heart.