We have 3 boys (2, 4 and 5) and recently moved to the Chicago suburbs (Park Ridge). Our oldest is very bright (just tested IQ 142) and has a lot of energy leading to some misbehavior in the school when he gets bored/unchallenged. He currently is in Kindergarten and they have a gifted program for reading and math where they pull him out, but even that seems a very low level to him and not sure this is a good long term system for him. We worry him being bored, while seeing other kids struggle will make him feel superior. Being taken out of his class for a couple hours a week might make that even worse and we feel it could also lead to him getting labeled as special, leading to other kids not wanting to play with him.
Financially not easy on us, but we are considering sending him to a private gifted school. (e.g. Des Plaines - Science and Art Academy, Downers Grove - Avery Coonley...). We are not super happy in Park Ridge either and open to moving to another suburb if that would be necessary (Looking for younger people, newer houses, commutable to downtown Chicago (preferable by train) with good public schools for our other kids). Our 4-year old is also very bright and not far behind, having to pay private tuition for 2 kids is currently just unthinkable, but we also don't think it's fair to only give 1 of them the chance.
What recommendations would you have for us? Is a private gifted school worth it? What would you do in our case and why?
