Hi Jen,
My son found that the 'splash' of subject accelerations was too much for him, that he prefers full grade skips for that reason. I am glad that your son has friends he is close to - that's wonderful. But if you take the position (and you might not) that he will actually need a grade skip later, isn't it better to get it over with when he is young, so he has time to speed up his maturity clock?
Finally there is the question of kids who are ready academically but not socially. In my opinion, not accomidating them academically is just not an answer, although in your situation the subject accelerations might work perfectly. What I love about your situation is that he can subject accelerate as needed all the way up to 12th grade! That's amazing. What I fear about your situation is that an unsympathetic teacher can sabotage the whole thing, and with subject accelerations you are always vulnerable.
Some kids need both a grade skip AND subject accelerations!
I do agree that a terrific teacher trumps almost everything else.
Smiles,
Grinity
