Thank you for weighing in! I'm brooding over this today after visiting the classrooms and it helps to chat with someone about it.
To answer some questions, yes we can move back and forth between the regular and HG programs on a yearly basis. I like the idea of a trial, but I don't think it would go over because I'm sure my HG son wouldn't agree to go back. In fact, there was a field trip once where both classes were combined and apparently my HG boy got teary when he had to leave the other class and go back to his.
Lots to think about. Thanks again for letting me know how you would handle it.