Hi Jen, I had my DD5 grade skipped to first after being in kindergarten for 3 months. It has been a very positive experience for her. When she started this year in K she had never been to pre-school or daycare so it was almost like she was getting to understand what was she was suppose to do in the classroom, that took less than a month then I started hearing things from her like I want to do real math, read something other than baby things ect...
When we went for our parent / teacher conference the teacher told us we should have her tested and consider a grade skip (this is a private school). We had her tested and her reading level was at 5th grade. After talking to both teachers to find out what level the other children in K and 1st were and also their ages, none in k were even close to this, there was one girl in the classroom that was starting to know sight words, it seemed too much of a difference. Most of the kids in k were 6 or even turning 7 later this year (most were boys in the classroom, I don't know if that makes a difference) in 1st grade most are girls and the ages were close to the K's, one of the girls in 1st was only 3 months older than my daughter and later I found out she is also gifted. My dd also knew the kids in 1st grade already so this also helped in our decission.
Considering everything we thought the skip would be the best for our dd. And it has been, I've never seen a child so happy to have homework.
Next year with this school the 2nd and 3rd graders are in the same classroom, so I beleive the teacher is experinced in teaching different levels in the classroom. I'm very pleased with this school because it works with us to insure that she is learning.
So I think the bottom line is that you know your child best and what she needs, if you feel she would do better in 1st then find out if you can do that with the school you are sending her too. I would also suggest you get her tested for your own information and also if you need to use the info to help with the skip. God bless and take care
