But i had better things to do. I started programming in grade 7, from a book, with a Apple 2 (circa 1982). There were no forums, no Internet just me and a thin booket that came with the computer, plus later, the odd magazine.
It was never "hard", but it was fun. It taught me how to build things, how to approach problems, how to throw something away and make things better. How to imagine.
Ultimately I would study comp Sci- people would teach me the right way to program, and 40 years later it's still my career. As I predicted at the time (somewhat obnoxiously to my then teachers, sorry Mrs Hodge), I had better things to do than raise my Geography score from a C to an A.
School is important, but finding something you enjoy, where "work" feels like "fun" is the truely "gifted child".