at some point it seems like maybe he will just end up being bored in school like we were
Welcome.
From what I read public schools historically aimed teaching at a little below average so as to give useful education to the maximum number of students. While that's still the case, seems like within the last 15-20 years there has at least in many states been a recognition that not only the bottom of the curve needs accomodation, and there have begun to be more standard sorts of options for kids at the upper end of the curve, still within the public system. It may still be quite difficult at the very high end of the curve, but perhaps less so than 20 years ago. So it's possible that our DSs experiences will be different from our own. I hope so.
My parents gave me no reading instruction, I could not read before school, but in no time at all I was bored by all the reading instruction. I don't think I was ever tested but recall my 6th grade teacher evaluating my reading on the first day of the year at a 12th grade level.
My point with my anecdote is that if your DS is an unusually quick or able learner (as it sounds like you probably were if you were bored) that researching what is taught in the early elementary years and specifically not teaching it to him early might prevent boredom only very temporarily.
Polly
