My son has an August 1 birthday. He will turn 18 at the beginning of his senior year. He's in 4th grade and I'm thrilled with his development. Can I imagine holding him back one more year, which I could? No way--he would be way too old for his classmates. What he might gain athletically would be just as detrimental to his emotional development. No freshman should be able to get his driver's license, IMO.

 

 

Is the rule, can't be 19 before Aug 1st, or have to be 18 on or before Aug 1st?

Turn 19 on August 1st.............Eligible for entire year..............

I had a late birthday and started early. It never really had any ill effect as I'm one of the biggest kid's who graduated in my class 6'2 210. I never had any problems adjusting, only wish I could have stayed that extra year or two for the sports.

 

I didn't turn 19 until my second month of college. :lol:

Academic should be the primary reason. Regardless, it can be a stressful decision for a parent. I have a son in elementary that tends to struggle academically. A big part of me believes it is his, for lack of a better term I'll say "laziness". However, when you consider the potential self-esteem implications, it's easy to waffle back and forth. So, we'll get him tutoring this summer and see how it pans out. Athletically, who knows at such a young age. For me, I graduated HS at 17. I remember a semi-serious conversation with my dad in the 7th or 8th grade about being held back. Athletically, I kinda wish I had pursued it.

Our son has a late June birthday --- he would have been able to start kindergarten when he was barely 5. He was not ready. We waited a year and he has flourished socially, academically and athletically---although we had absolutely no idea that he would take an interest in sports at the time. He is still not the oldest in his class but has a 4.2 GPA and plays three sports.

Lets be honest, most kids that are held back are held back for athletic purposes. To each his own. If they think it will translate into a scholarship then good luck. I just cant justify telling my 12 yr old son, oh by the way at the end of the school year go ahead and say goodbye to your buddies cuz we are holding you back. If he had emotional issues or academic problems then maybe but that is not the case, thankfully.

I'd be willing to bet that for every athletic scholarship a hold back has gotten there's been five athletic scholarships awarded to non-hold backs. I doubt there's a study out there on this somewhere, but the ratio would be interesting.

I'd be willing to bet that for every athletic scholarship a hold back has gotten there's been five athletic scholarships awarded to non-hold backs. I doubt there's a study out there on this somewhere, but the ratio would be interesting.

 

I don't know what area you are from, but generally speaking, athletic scolarships are hard to come by. Therefor, that is not a valid statement. Athletic scolarships are not avalible to all. The main reason I did this with my own child is so he can mature one more year around his family. Fortunitly, I will be able to pay for my son's college education, so a scolarship was never a part of the equation. But there was definitly the thought of arming my child with the best advantages to compete at the high school level. What's right for some may not be for others. We, however, are very pleased with the outcome.

I don't know what area you are from, but generally speaking, athletic scolarships are hard to come by. Therefor, that is not a valid statement. Athletic scolarships are not avalible to all. The main reason I did this with my own child is so he can mature one more year around his family. Fortunitly, I will be able to pay for my son's college education, so a scolarship was never a part of the equation. But there was definitly the thought of arming my child with the best advantages to compete at the high school level. What's right for some may not be for others. We, however, are very pleased with the outcome.

 

Sorry, I probably didn't communicate that as well as I should have. You're helping me make my case in a sense. My point is that holding a child back with athletics as a motivating factor is not a sound decision as it doesn't end up playing a significant role in whether or not an athletic scholarship becomes available. Dedication and effort are likely more significant factors. As I indicated earlier, academics and maturity should be the primary reason. I'm gonna guess where I'm from is probably irrelevent.

I think we are thinking alike..............:jump:

IMHO 5th grade is the best.

I'm not in favor of ever holding a child back unless there is a severe learning curve deficiency. Its simple, someone has got to be the youngest in a class. In fact, I think it can even be advantageous. If they're somehwat behind, the teacher says, well, she/he's still a little young. If they get ahead, its "Wow, look what that young kid is doing."

 

:thumb:

 

My daughter's birthday is September 30 (at 11:00PM). Had she been born an hour later, she would be a junior and not a senior.

 

The question of holding back never came up with us. There was never an academic, social or other need.

Before they start!...if that isn't the case 5th or 6th grade.

Academics is #1.

 

I have never seen a kids hurt because he/she was held back.

 

In reality when we go and play other Middle School teams we are at a severe disadvantage, as last year are 8th graders were 13-14 years old. The top middle school teams in the state had 14-15 year olds.

 

That is a huge difference mentally, and physically for most kids.

 

People say "It catches up in high school". The physical part, yes. The mental part part seldom. Why? Because if a particular team has beat your but from 6-9th grade they have a distinct mental edge

 

 

With all that said, my son will get held back in 5th grade because I want him being as old as possible before he goes into this crazy world, not because of athletics.

The school is not required to allow you to just decide to hold a student back right? Anyone know the law on this? We are told it is up to the principal at the school.