How can I ensure that my rising kindergartener is challenged in school?

My 5 yr old has been attending a Montessori pre-school. He can read level 1 and some level 2 books, can write phonetically in upper and lower case, can count into the thousands, can add into the teens, and can count in multiples of 10s, and 5s. He is starting kindergarten at a local public school where the teaching style is significantly different and expectations seem to be much lower. How can I ensure that he is challenged and does not stall this year?

Parent Answers to "How can I ensure that my rising kindergartener is challenged in school?"

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Excellent answer immrsp, I will work with the teacher and the director of my son's school.

Kindergarten is a challenge for most children, even the ones who enter ahead of their classmates. Just the structure of organized schooling, behavior expectations, being part of a group--it's all new to little ones, even if they've been in preschool.

Now, I know you're talking about academic challenges. There are always kids like your son who enter kindergarten reading and doing math, and parents are understandably worried that they're not being challenged. At the beginning of the school year, your child will probably not be challenged the way you think he should be. It's going to take his teacher some time to figure out what your child's needs and abilities are. Don't expect her to take your word for it. Kindergarten teachers hear from many, many, many parents about how advanced their children are, and they will understandably take what you say with a grain of salt.

BUT, if your child's teacher is a good one, she'll figure out within the first month or so of school where your child is and what he needs. This is something to bring up at your first parent-teacher conference, after she's had a chance to get to know your child. If she hasn't noticed his abilities by that time, or if she has but insists that he needs to follow the same curriculum as the kids who don't know the alphabet yet, then it's time to talk to the principal. But for the first month or so, be patient and give the teacher time to get to know your child.

I am in the same boat. I guess you could try after school programs like Kumon

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