Thanks Grinity
I have asked about allowing him to leave to participate in some of the Duke and other learning opportunities. They "discourage it" they feel it will make him stand out even more as "different".
It sounds like they are used to getting their way through a certian amount of 'peer pressure.' This can be good if you just resolve to 'do as you see fit' and thank them for their concern. It does take some getting used to though.
Remember your body language, when they pull the 'it will make him more different' it's time to pull out the tilted head, half-smile as in "I'm hearing it, but you must be jesting." You can even wink and say 'Oh I think the horse is out of the barn on that one.'
Still, if you can start homeschooling early, I would consider pulling him out even a single day a week and letting him drive the teacher crazy. What if he does get poor grades - who cares? And hopefully he will soon be willing to do more homeschooling and fewer days in school. (Would they let him come in for art/music/recess 3 x a week? I'm assuming it's already paid for, right?)
It sounds likes a bad situation.
I have a feeling that soon you'll get your boy back, with his real personality.
Best Wishes,
Grinity
