First, thanks to everyone who responded. I feel better now. He turned 7 in December, so he's officially in first grade. (In our state the cut-off is in Sept.) When we had to choose a grade, we decided to place him where he would be placed, age-wise, in public school.

Originally Posted by Grinity
Why not bump him now?

We intended to move him to 2nd in January just because he's nowhere near the 1st grade in the various curricula that was use. Math is the exception and he's using a 2nd grade curriculum now. So, it makes sense to use to go ahead and at least move him to 2nd grade now.

Would those of you who said that you keep your children in their age-grade go ahead and bump him to 2nd? Or, would you still keep him in 1st for purposes of things like EXPLORE? If we advance him, he would be a very young 2nd grader.

Originally Posted by Grinity
Is the recommended someone who is knowledgable about the curiculum?

Hmmm... No, not knowledgeable about our curriculum in the sense that he knows what it's all about, but he is very knowledgeable about pg children.

Originally Posted by Grinity
What curiculum do you use now? Do they have 'end of year tests?'

It seems like you've had a difficult time figuring this kid out - it might be worth it to pay a curriculum specialist to work with you kid a bit and figure out where he needs to be, and then help you plan what to work with.

We do follow an online living books curriculum as a skeleton, but in the year that we've been schooling, I've had to adapt constantly. Just to give a bit of an overview, I'll mention a few things.

For first grade science, we are using a curriculum that's recommended for 5th/6th graders. We covered zoology in a few months, he loved it, and it was no trouble at all for him to move through it. He retained almost every detail from this text. We are now working on botany because he is very into seeds and growing things. It's been a little of a challenge for him, but only in that he's actually learning new words and a few new ideas. Still, he's not really having to work hard.

For science, we do more than just the books. We use Supercharged Science, field trips, nature study, and Aha! Science (he's blown through the elementary work without any trouble at all). We read living books about various disciplines of science and biographies about scientists. This is without pushing at all and going at an easy pace. (We school year-round, taking off for trips and holidays, or just when we feel like it.)

His lowest scores in achievement testing were in math. We have been using MEP for math, supplemented with Primary Grade Challenge Math and some living math books. While I don't believe that he's a "mathy" child, I do agree that I've held him back here too. He's capable of more. I've just stuck with the curriculum and not urged him to move forward.

We do more than those things, but I guess my point is that little slows him down much at all. That's what makes it difficult. Where do you draw the line and decide that something is challenging enough? What is "good enough" for these kids? I'm so guilty already of not challenging him and saying "good enough," yet I see that he's already developing issues from me doing that.

Originally Posted by Grinity
If you are in YSP, you can ask you Family Consultant to see if they will provide this service to you 'no charge.'

We thought about applying last year when he was originally tested, but we didn't have the achievement testing and I was unsure about sending in a portfolio. As we started school with him and he took off, we realized that we could benefit from DYS, but we had trouble finding an appropriate reference. (He hides his abilities with most people, and since he's not in PS, we had trouble finding someone we could use for a reference.)

I'm sorry I've been so wordy here. I will figure it all out, but it's nice to have those who have btdt to offer advice and encouragement. Thanks so much to you all.