text: I have to say I followed my mother who pulled me out of Catholic schools in the sixth grade for somewhat different reasons than I did my own daughter.  Gifted students were not given the challenges they needed because the sisters were focused on the mid level student.  Needless to say what we now call special needs kids on the other end of the scale, often sat on the benches in the hallway with their more gifted brothers and sisters.  I can't say sharing that mutual experience was a bad thing for me, but it sent such a terrible message to both ends of the scale.