I'm looking for an outside perspective -- thanks in advance for any comments.
My DS11's in 6th grade at a Catholic school in what is considered a very good school district. He's been there since Pre-K, and the school has done a decent job of meeting his PG needs -- they let him start kindergarten a year early, he's the first student ever to take Algebra I as a 6th grader, etc.
But right now he doesn't seem happy there. After his two best buds moved away after 4th grade year, he maybe has a couple half-decent friends. He gets along fine enough with most everyone, but there are only ~15 boys in his grade between two classes, and maybe one of them shares his STEM academic interests. He hates his schoolwork, other than math (and even that he perceives as too slow). He's not good at turning in his completed assignments, which stresses him out. (Perhaps even physically -- he's missed three days of school the last two weeks with no apparent flu, fever, etc.) Middle school was pretty bad for my wife and me -- and frankly, it seems, everyone! -- and we'd like to make it as not-horrible of an experience as we can.
On the horizon is his neighborhood high school, which will be a great fit for him (best we can tell). It's a huge, nationally ranked, STEM-oriented high school with the best math team in the state and at least a dozen other STEM clubs -- and ~1% of the grads get perfect ACTs every year. He will have no trouble finding kids that share his interests there.
So our issue is: What should we do for him in 7th and 8th grade? From what I see, we have three real options:
* Status quo. Pluses: He graduates with the students he's been with for 9 years. He gets to take Honors Geometry at the high school in 8th grade. At the same school as his sister (DD7). Minuses: The same issues as before, both academically and socially. Will it get worse?
* Public school. Pluses: 200 students/grade in a good academic district -- pretty likely to find kids with his interests to befriend. More STEM afterschool activities. Honors Geometry at the high school in 8th grade. Minuses: Academics will be basically the same, from what I've heard. Everyone there has already been together since 5th grade (although it's a different building in 7th). Risk that the change makes it worse.
* Homeschool. Pluses: Can meet his academic needs much better. No middle school peer angst. Not really a problem logistically in our family. Minuses: Usual social homeschooling concerns. Can't take Honors Geometry at the high school in 8th grade (I believe).
I'm open to other options that I haven't considered. I'm grateful for any comments!
