Hopefully someone further along will chime in with recommendations. My DD (7th grade, DYS) is more a creative kid than a gifted kid if we are only allowed to check one box. I do not have any answers. DD is not excited about the traditional classroom setting but I am not sure if "gifted only" kids are either? On the other hand, she does enjoy open-ended multi-media projects (individual & group) and does jump through academic hoops without too much complaining. For high school, she will probably end up at the Visual Arts Magnet Program at a Magnet only high school; while still highly rated, this school is not as academically vigorous/impressive as another school where her twin will likely end up. For DD, we have discussed the issue of not closing any doors, which requires meeting "conventional expectations" as well.
On second thought, I think that by a certain level of giftedness (somewhere beyond HG/MG?), there probably is an inherent inclination/preference for "apprenticeship, research, independent work and real life experience" due to limits to "learning through classrooms and teacher assignments." DS, who is significantly more gifted and significantly less creative than DD, would also have this inclination/preference. I guess the balance doesn't seem too hard at present because conventional expectations are still easily met enough that most of their energy can go towards creativity and out-of-the-box pursuits, if that makes sense?
