To mitigate this (though not sure it's the right mitigation), if your kid doesn't specialize incredibly early and show promise they'll be kicked out of the perf

To mitigate this (though not sure it's the right mitigation), if your kid doesn't specialize incredibly early and show promise they'll be kicked out of the performance stream into the recreational stream. Example: sports start splitting kids at ages 5 and 6. They call it "assessment" but it's really try-outs for the competitive teams. From this point on the majority of effort and resources go to the predictable audience. Better hope your preschooler is coordinated for their age. Growing a foot in middle school will no longer get you on the basketball team as everyone else has 10 years of club ball. Arts and academics is no different. Our local gifted school screens per-kindergarten and you won't even be considered without a private (read: $$$) assessment as part of your application.