Wow! Thank you so much. What a wealth of information you all are. I am very grateful. I will start with the suggestions you have offered. I've always been reluctant to home school for various reasons, but I'm certainly open to anything that will help my child. Dazey, what is your experience so far? Do you feel your children are thriving, and are you planning to continue homeschooling? My son loves the idea of school and spending the day with his friends, but once he begins each year, it doesn't take long before we're hearing, "I don't want to go to school." I loved school when I was his age!
Maybe I should visit the local public school again and ask more questions before making a final decision about that, but it's in a rough area. I worry about how he'll fit in there and if he'll be challenged enough. It's not rated as a very good school, and I've spoken with other parents and teachers (from other schools) who have had experience there, and I haven't heard anything positive.
I love the school where my son goes now, but I'm not sure it's serving him well. I'm just now sure it's the best place for him, although other children do quite well there.
I think I will do the at-home testing to determine grade level, gather as much info as possible, and then ask for a conference at school. I feel like I need to go in there armed with as much information as possible. I did apply to the magnet school, but I doubt we'll be able to get in until next school year at best. Again, it sounds great on paper and in theory, but I'd like to know for sure if they live up the expectation. To their credit, I've only heard good things about that school.
Because my son's school is private, they can advance him if they want. He is six and repeated kg at their recommendation to begin with. Obviously, it didn't help, but we all thought it was a good decision at the time. We had not had him tested at that point, so we weren't aware of the gifted dx. I'm just not sure if it's the right environment regarless of whether they move him because it's such a traditional learning environment. Definitely not my son's style at all.
St. Paulie Girl, thanks again for the warm welcome and for all the info. Dazey, I'm so grateful for your help as well. I will certainly consider all of your advice and begin by doing my own testing!
