I went to RC parocial school, and that was such an egalitarian experience that I realize it formed much of my ourlook. I read at the 12th grade level at the end of the second grade, but no one ever suggested that meant I should be exempt from the regular class. So, I participated in the drills and exercises designed to fulfill the committment that everyone would master the work for the week. It gave me a firm belief based on lots of practice that everyone can learn and no child should be left behind. I aslo think that leaders who don't know and understand who they are leading are useless and dangerous. The main value of putting bright kids in mainstream classrooms is that they learn about other kids.
by the way, I went on to elite colleges, a PhD, and a teaching career. I have always been grateful for a foundation in rote mastery of the basics without any creative math.