Skipping Grades

Lucinda - posted on 11/13/2008

My son skipped Kindergarten last year and it was the best thing we ever did. Even in first grade he was not very challenged in math and reading comprehension but he definately needed the social skills and the time to enhance his writing. This year for second grade he is in a gifted school in a 2/3 split and doing mostly third grade reading and math. Even though each of these decisions were so difficult, they are the best choices we have made for him. I don't worry about him fitting in now bescause he is in a whole environment filled with out of the box thinkers like him and he is happier than he has ever been.

Kim - posted on 11/12/2008

Have you read the book "Genius Denied"? It highly advocates skipping grades. We haven't done it with our kids, but reading that made me think that if it were offered, it would be an option I would seriously consider.

Heather - posted on 11/07/2008

Thanks for all your responses! This year seems to be going well so far. She is actually getting challenged in 3rd grade, which is great. We just had her first conference and her teacher said she was one of the more mature kids in the class. Great to hear! We are homeschooling her part-time (I do reading and math at home). The school was willing to work this out with us because she has almost completed pre-algebra. They didn't think they could even do anything with her at the elementary level. They did extensive testing on her and recommended sending her to middle school for reading and math, but we were NOT comfortable with that.

Andrea - posted on 11/06/2008

My daughter is 16 now. In elementary school I kept asking teachers to challenge her and "enrich" her learning. At age 3 she was reading and doing 200 pce puzzles. By age 5 she was reading chapter books, doing simple math and 500 pce puzzles. In grades 4-6 she had some behavioural issues - impulsive acting-out type stuff because she was extremely bored! By grade 6 she was reading at a college level. Finally in grade 8 - just one month in - her teacher recognized this and allowed her to write the grade 8 final math exam which she got 80+. So we started grade 9 math at highschool 2 days/week afterschool. It was the BEST thing for her!

Now she's with her peers and taking grade 12 classes with grade 11 classes too. She can graduate early if she wants and also has an opportunity now to pick up university classes while still at highschool. She maintains a 95-96 average and a job working 25 hrs/week. She also received the bronze academic medal last year for the 3rd highest average.

YOU know your kid! YOU know in your gut what your child needs. You've done the 'skip' early that most kids won't even know about it by the time she's in those grades 7-9. Highschool ALL kids are all over the place for grades so it doesn't matter by then at all.

Shevahn - posted on 11/06/2008

Hi, I'm new here. My son was offered to skip grades and I said no!. There reason being that I felt that for him he needed to interact with other kids his age. The school and us came up with a comprimise, he is always in composite classes so that he can do the next grades work as well as his own. And this I feel had helped him socially. It may be different for boys than girls, but my daughter is the same, she is in prep doing her class work and grade one maths.

If you feel worried about later in life this may help. Good Luck!

Jennifer - posted on 11/01/2008

I totally agree with Tannis. Molly skipped from her Pre K5 class into first grade. It was a very easy transition. Molly has an October birthday so she is pretty close to the cut off date also. I think it comes down to you know your child and what she needs.

I guess what I meant by my post was exactly what Tannis said. We made the decision and cross the bridges when we have too. Good Luck.

Tannis - posted on 11/01/2008

I don't have any experience with skipping, just sending our daughter "early" (missed the cutoff by three days so we actually had to have her professionally evaluated to appeal the deadline!). She is in fourth grade now and is doing great. She sometimes expresses concern about being the youngest, but more about being the smallest since she is actually a little small for her age also. But when I see her with her peers its clear she is just as mature. Being younger in middle and high school may be an issue, but I didn't feel like it was fair to sacrifice the academic and social needs she had at 5/6 just to avoid potential problems later, kwim? I think you have to make the decision that is best now and cross those other bridges when you come to them.



Good luck!

Cindy - posted on 11/01/2008

We're in the same boat. My son's teachers/principal have discussed with us the option of moving my son from first to second. We are still mulling it over, but our initial reaction is no. He will have the opportunity in middle school to take honors classes, and still be able to be with kids his own age. There is a magnet middle school in town that sounds like it would be the right fit. It's a TOUGH decision. His teachers are working so well with him now, we are so thankful for that.

Stacci - posted on 11/01/2008

We are right now considering a skip from 4K to 1st (or perhaps into K this year...) Are there any moms out there what have done a skip later in life(ex. 3rd-4th)? What do you feel is better, earlier or later? And has your child had problems being PHYSICALLY ready (sports, etc.)?

Jennifer - posted on 10/30/2008

Hey There, My oldest Molly skipped a grade. She is in fourth and should be in third. I worry about the same things, matter of fact we are discussing periods and sex a lot sooner than I thought. What I find so far is that she is emotionally behind the children sometimes, but has lots of friends. So what I try to do is find a teacher that is willing to work with her abilities, but still be nurturing with her. This year, at the beginning of the year she is already testing half way through her fifth grade year and reading on a high school level. The teacher adjust her work for her, where she needs it, but at the same time remembering Molly is young and can be stressed out at times. She also is very good at building self esteem with Molly by letting her peer tutor the other students.

I constantly question my decision to move Molly and wonder how it will effect her later in life. I just keep my eye on her and a close relationship with the teachers.