Thank you for the perspectives. The reason I asked this question is to make sure I am thinking correctly. We both grew up poor and I know how it is for families who are struggling to spend time with their kids. We spend close to 4 hours every weekday with DD with her homework, reading books, explaining/demonstrating concepts etc. But looking back at our childhoods, while the diversity helped, we do think it is important to have a little bit of competition from other students in terms of academics. This is because DD is doing very well for her grade. She is on 2nd grade right now and she already does multiplication, basic algebra word problems etc. We had a feeling that the current school she is in is not providing enough push so she could take on more challenging work. hence the question.
Is she getting frustrated with the lack of challenge? Is it affecting her performance and mood?
What benefit would she get from "being pushed more" academically as a young child?
Seriously? I say this as someone who was an academic super star myself with medals and shit. What do you think it will actually do for her?
If she's getting a level appropriate education, enjoying herself, and getting excellent grades, then why indoctrinate her with the message that she always has to do more?
Why not instead take her extra energy and motivate her to take on extra curricular activities, like volunteering together as a family? Or even just taking up a hobby or learning new skills? Why not start a huge personal finance learning project with her? That will actually help her long term.
What need are you trying to meet by having her work harder at school than she actually has to in order to become appropriately educated?
Why was I a superstar student? It sure as shit wasn't because I was pushed to do so, it's because being a nerd made me happy, and I *needed* the intense stimulation of extra work to prevent me from getting distracted and unhappy in school.
Don't focus on trying to raise the highest performing student you can, focus on trying to raise the most healthy, balanced, and resilient human that you can.
Pay attention to if she's happy and thriving. And if she's happy, and thriving, and learning, protect that, don't pay a premium to threaten it.
I may be wrong, you didn't say she's happy and thriving. But *if* she is, then ask yourself very seriously what you think you are trying to actually give her that she doesn't already have.
No one, and I mean NO ONE has ever had their life dramatically improved by being out in a harder elementary school unless is was clearly needed in order to resolve a *problem* due to understimulation.