Being in a gifted program is not the only way to challenge a child. Check to see if the school has any special programs that would benefit your son, such as these:
- Pullout programs - Children spend most of the day with their class and go to a higher grade for math or any other subject area in which they are advanced.
- Ability grouping - Teachers group children within the classroom. Students who already know the material in the on-grade level textbook are given more challenging textbooks.
- Tracking - Larger schools can have different classes within one grade that are organized according to children's abilities.
- Content acceleration - Teachers allow individual students to work independently or with a teacher's aide on more challenging material.
- Skipping a grade - Children who are academically advanced in several areas are moved to the next grade.
Keep in mind that children can have special talents in math but still struggle with English. Most parents have insight into their children's special areas of giftedness, and these are the areas where you want to provide your son with motivational challenges. You will want to enroll him in a stimulating after-school or weekend program in his gifted areas. Remember, there are many opportunities to challenge your son outside of the classroom.