That's a tough one that really depends on your school district. You could homeschool for K, if they don't have a 1st grade age cut off. We are in the same situation here as DS is birthday is 1/31. In Florida, there is a cut off for K AND 1st. I am lucky that I was able to quit work (Friday was my last day) as we are expecting our 2nd child any day now so I will be able to home school. We will be officially "K" this year (he just turned 4.5) but he's doing mainly 2nd grade work (we are going to do some 1st grade b/c I want to solidify the knowledge he gained on his own). You could try a private school for gifted kids (if you have one). DS was registered to start K (a year early) at the school he did PreK at last year. They work academically 2 years ahead (he finished 1st grade goals at the end of the year). K starts 2nd grade work. He did well academically and socially but I had concerns about what we will do with him in the future and the need for a 4 year old to be sitting working on multiplication and writing a paragraph (both things he is capable of doing). We've decided to do homeschool "lite" this year with lots of fun activities, travel, decompressing from "school", and bonding with his new little brother. Good luck, Susan

We have a copy. It wasn't an issue for DS but someone gave us a copy when he was 3. I looked at it and DS came over, read the last activity perfectly so never really used it. It sits on the shelf hoping that the next LO will use it :-)

This is going to be a personal preference, especially with a child so close to the cut off. DS4 will be home schooled this fall. His preschool teacher said he is academically on a 2nd grade level without question and he learns everything with no or very little repetition. That said, he misses the 9/1 cut off by 5 months. I am registering him in K with our homeschool group so that he can participate in the activities that are not open to preschoolers. He currently attends "school" with kids who are older and does well. He fits in with the kids who would be entering K emotionally as well and is drawn towards the older kids in that group. Unless he gets into some great charter school or something changes, I will keep him home at least until full time gifted (starts in 3rd grade). As far as testing, I will have them test 1 year ahead of "age-appropriate" grade level as anything below that would really be pointless since he would be working several years ahead. Good luck. I wouldn't stress over it.

Thanks for the insight. We've had some internet issues so couldn't check back sooner. I'm going to look into all of these. We are in no hurry but figured we needed to introduce some concepts before he gets too far ahead & makes his own rules up :-)

What do you guys use fro grammer 1st/2nd grade level for a child who does not like repetition? DS is reading well but self-taught so I don't think he really knows nouns, etc. He can write sentances but no one has ever taught him the actual mechanics. I know that 1st language lessons is highly recommended but I'm told it has a lot of repetition. Has anyone found anything that is better? Do you just skip the reps when they are not needed? I want him to love "school" and use our time effectively as I will have a newborn/infant to care for as well. Thanks, Susan

Thank you for all the responses. I think I have my answer. We are going to start this year and see what happens. I am considering a part time K/1 enrichment program just to get him out of the house in addition to whatever sports we do. I know that the private school can keep him working forward (their K works on 2nd grade and he would be skipped to be in that class so that's 3 years ahead) but have to wonder what will happen in a few years if at barely 4 he catches on so quickly, not to mention the tuition (~$7k for school year/school day) and the fact that I would have to drive 40min each way to get him there (gas & time). Now, I just need to figure out what programs I'm going to use! Any ideas :-) I've been doing research and like Moving Beyond the Page, CC, RightStart math, singapore math, Story of the World CDs, Real Science Odessey, ... Susan

I'm new here and find myself at a place where I'm not really sure I know what to do. I was hoping that some of you have been there previously and may be able to offer some advice. DS4 should be entering PreK this fall but I will be staying home starting in August (am expecting then, so that adds to the fun). Although never tested, I have no doubt that he is gifted. He is in preschool right now and the (accelerated) school recommended K for him next year as he is working on a late 1st grade level or higher in all subjects (except maturity, there he's ahead as well though). He reads well, can easily do double digit addition/subtraction, easy multiplication, understand concepts of death and other abstract ideas, ... He is able to write sentences but still struggles with structure for anything more complex. He learns things quickly and rarely requires any repetition. He remembers things that occurred prior to his 2nd birthday and questions EVERYTHING. He loves to be read to and will listen for hours. Favorites for bedtime are Robinson Crusoe, Moonfleet, Little House on the Prairie, Around the world in 80 days, greek myths, etc. He does not frighten at all and just seems enthralled by everything. I was considering starting home school part time this year and see how it goes. If I don't think I can manage, I will learn this in time to find an appropriate private school for his true "K" year. That said, he's also well beyond K. I was thinking I start with 1st that way it's not way too easy but gives him some easier work. I don't want to push him too far but also feel that he needs some sort of challenge. But what if things change and he has to go to school, would him being years ahead that it would feel like punishment? That said, if I filled his days with sports and activities, he would play math games on my ipod touch for fun but would still be happy (I think). Thanks for any insight, Susan