I hate that there's a 2-tier educational system here -- good programs for the gifted and lousy ones for the other 97% of the kids. But we're glad there's a great option for us, and so we're taking advantage of it. We started in the AZ regular schools, not knowing of this special program, and my kids wasted 2 years learning very little.
There are many factors that contribute to the lousy schools in Arizona, not the least of which is inadequate funding. I also think the administration thinks the schools are OK, so they don't try and improve. Educational expectations are low, and the kids are happy to oblige.
Paradise Valley Unified School District (
www.pvusd.edu, I think) has a page describing the gifted program and the qualifications. Not all gifted kids are eligible for the self-contained class, so be sure to check out the criteria. You'll also see that a new middle school opened this year for gifted kids; initial reviews are VERY positive. Scottsdale Unified School District also has a self-contained gifted program. I don't know much about it, but you should look into that one, too. I'm sure other cities in Arizona also have such programs, but you'll have to poke around to find them all.
Good luck!
