DD is in her first year of middle school in a magnet program. We had several available to us and DD chose a somewhat less competitive program with a focus she liked where the kids struck her as more "her people" (it's not an insane grade-focused rat race). However, after spending her elementary years in a gifted program with strict entrance requirements, this has been different, and less is required of her. She started off the year getting 100% in everything all the time, but as time has passed, her grades are slipping, with low Bs and an occasional C popping up on assignments. She is not currently on track to maintain the straight As she has brought home every year of her entire life (now getting mostly As, couple of Bs). When asked, she simply protests that she's doing so much better than the other kids and "you don't know, everyone else would think that's such a good grade." Getting her to do HW is a struggle.
DD appears to have fallen in with a popular crowd, which is kind of interesting since she's goofy, socially young and immature. She is rather pretty and fashion conscious, which may be part of it, and brought a BFF with her from elementary who is very socially savvy. She is preoccupied with boys and figuring out being 12, I think, and also kind of an emotional wreck on the inside. So I give her slack for that, but also I think she is intentionally blowing school off because she sees #1, that it possibly is not cool to excel and #2 that the kids around her are not focused on academic excellence, which is new to her. Of note, one of her favorite subjects is very poorly taught at this school. Also of note, math is at times a genuine challenge (she is 2 years accelerated) and she cannot get away with not concentrating in that one class.
Part of me says, hey, it's 6th grade and middle school is hard all around, but unfortunately admission to the magnet high school programs is cutthroat. What matters is end of term grades.
Also of note, DD is a sensation seeker who loves risk, scary roller coasters, excitement and the unknown.
Guessing others have gone through this in middle school and wondering how to handle it. DD shows no outward concern abut poor grades--blows it off.
