I agree with sddddude, Kids are preserving and developing their social intelligence. Disrupting this process poses its own risks. Our kids are in a low scoring primary school in a decent district. The social environment is fine, great actually. We chose to compensate for the academics directly, with the help of teachers and staff, as opposed to choosing “flight”. The mobility born of competitiveness in our society can be dangerous to people’s health. Our kids are happy and scoring in the high 90th percentile and national tests even though they are in a bilingual program that is supposed to slow them down initially, with the rewards kicking in around the 5th grade.
I am also concerned that “flight” has negative modeling elements for the kids. It tells them that they are going to get what they get out of life,more because of their herd, than because of themselves.I like the fact that my kids are involved with a variety of kids from families with varied financial and academic accomplishment levels.My kids are in the first and second grade in groups that have kids who can’t read in any language and kids that are grade level or multiple grade levels ahead in every area they are tested for. I don’t see any serious disadvantage for the higher achievers.
