Hi Maryann,
My oldest is going to high school in the fall. We were offered honors/pre-AP classes for freshman year in 3 core subjects (English, Math, Science). The school groups gifted kids (9-12) in 3 homerooms together so they see each other every day and get counseling about scholarships, contests, etc. There are gifted electives (robotics, creative writing, mentorships, etc.) which they can choose and later AP classes. They have science club (MESA/Science Olympiad), and other extracurricular clubs.
We don't have much choice though I've told my son we don't have to follow the "recipe" of which class to take when and could negotiate based on his SAT/ACT scores (for instance, take AP classes earlier than prescribed), but my son wants to do the normal honors stuff at least to start.
I also told my son that if he wants to finish his high school requirements in 3 years instead of 4, he'd have that "extra" time to do something interesting (learn another language, community service project, wilderness leadership program, etc.). I'm leaving most decisions up to him, but encouraging him to think outside the box.
I agree with Tiffany that a semester or year abroad would be great.
It's all new to me, so I'm just discovering these things myself. Good luck to you.
Cym
