Year 2, better results, but now barely "average" instead of "way below." He's still technically too young for these tests, so I'm not worried. He's a geek. He is reading and doing math, voluntarily in the summer, 2-3 grade levels above his age.

His school is aware of the discrepancy. The principal has hand-picked one of two teachers next year who will be especially able to stretch him academically, just deciding who can handle his immaturity best, plus balancing ability, gender, etc., in the classroom.

The district is aware he's falling through the cracks and has assigned the district Gifted & Talened coordinator to monitor him, make sure his needs are met, look for more evidence to get him in the progam. (If they're this interested and believing in his brightness, why can't they just get him in?)

But I've also gained a maturity and perspective since last year. I actually don't care if he gets in the program. I would be nervous and hesitant if he got in, after hearing some snotty moms' comments about "the class was already too big last year, and they're letting more in?" (The class is about 12, and a regular class is 22.)

What I do care about now, which I think is the most healthy approach, is making sure he's interested, challenged, kept out of too much trouble, and loves school. At home, I'm reading books to him that are way beyond his level, my childhood books, to encourage the magic of reading. (We just finished A Wrinkle in Time, which he loved so much that we're not reading A Wind in the Door.)  And I'm giving him math homework because he loves it.

Because honestly? If he learns to learn, learns to love books, learns to love learning, keeps the love of numbers, overcoms the immaturity issues of being a young/only child/boy,  he's going to be fine no matter what class he's in.