Need advice from parents who have had son repeat 8th grade.

CaCO3Girl posted:

I have to say if like the OP's kid there was already going to be a school change AND the kid didn't object I would have had my son repeat 8th grade too with his August birthday.  He will be walking into 9th grade being 13, and I think it's too young.  

Also, I strongly believe another year of maturity to put him more on par with his peers would help him attain the 3.0 - 3.5 GA kids need to maintain to get that cool scholarship that eliminates a lot of college cost.  I'd also add that outside of baseball sights the idea of retaining a kid isn't brought up much in the real world so again as the OP, baseball would have given me the idea but ultimately I would have done it because it's what's best for my son, as the OP is.

I agree with you, do what is best for your son.   Its really hard to give advice when you dont know the situation.  Baseball doesnt seem to be a reason to keep your son back.  

All the reasons he gave were good ones, except the part about baseball. Just because others are doing it doesnt mean that will work for everyone.

Sometimes you get screwed out of opportunities because of your age. It happens, happened to mine. Oh well.  It didnt matter, in fact playing with older players made him realize he could keep up with the best of them.  

If ots truly for maturity and acedemic reasons, ask you school guidance counselors what they think.  They are the professionals in this matter, not us.  Good luck. 

bballdad2016 posted:

If ots truly for maturity and acedemic reasons, ask you school guidance counselors what they think.  They are the professionals in this matter, not us.  Good luck. 

I'm not sure the personnel at school know what's best for your kids. They live in a see this, think that world. Their input can't hurt though. But don't take it as gospel. 

Off one poor day of 7th grade standardized testing I was told by a room full of people math and science just wasn't my daughter's skill set. They tried to change her courses based on one day of testing. One person even told me they know more what's best for her than I.

My daughter told me she wasn't feeling well that day. She would have stayed home if not for the testing. She graduated from college PBK with a degree in Forensic Science while playing softball.

bballdad2016 posted:

If ots truly for maturity and acedemic reasons, ask you school guidance counselors what they think.  They are the professionals in this matter, not us.  Good luck. 

The original post was a call to those that have already made this decision. I bring it to the board to hopefully gain from other's experiences (that has happened, thankfully). I'm fine with my decision as I know my son. I have learned from my research that I should have been thinking about it even if baseball wasn't a factor. 

As far as baseball is concerned, he will actually get to have a 14u year. He needs it. He needs reps and more experience. 

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't disagree about how well a guidance counselor knows a kid.  But, they do know students and those that could benefit from an extra year when hey see them.  Something about a masters degree in education and/or psychology tells me they are qualified to give a bit of advise in this area and I'm sure they see it (a lot) every year. 

My advise: Know what the local rules are in your school district.  I know of (more than one) family that did just what true OP is thinking about doing before entering HS.  As soon as the family tried to renter the public school system after a year of home schooling or private school (as freshman) the students were placed back into their original grad year, because acedemicly, there was no reason to be held back to begin with. The only real way to reclassify is to pay a hefty amount for a private school (that's what the families I know of had to do).  At 20-30K a year, they don't care how long you stay enrolled.  I would seriously ask the school district/counselors before making a final decision. 

P.S.  I hate posting with my iPhone.  

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Matty posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Excellent post.

However, the OPs son is home schooled. 

TPM posted:

Matty posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Excellent post.

However, the OPs son is home schooled. 

My understanding is the OPs son is not currently home schooled.  Home school is the plan to repeat the 8th grade with the intention to re-enter the public school system as a Freshman.  Currently at 2020 but trying to become a 2021 via home school....If I've read everything correctly. 

bballdad2016 posted:

TPM posted:

Matty posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Excellent post.

However, the OPs son is home schooled. 

My understanding is the OPs son is not currently home schooled.  Home school is the plan to repeat the 8th grade with the intention to re-enter the public school system as a Freshman.  Currently at 2020 but trying to become a 2021 via home school....If I've read everything correctly. 

We are currently in a smaller school that uses the K-12 curriculum (home school). We are not in a public school. We have explored the possibility of son going to a public high school. 

bballdad2016 posted:

TPM posted:

Matty posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Excellent post.

However, the OPs son is home schooled. 

My understanding is the OPs son is not currently home schooled.  Home school is the plan to repeat the 8th grade with the intention to re-enter the public school system as a Freshman.  Currently at 2020 but trying to become a 2021 via home school....If I've read everything correctly. 

You are right, it wasnt mentioned in the first post, I read it but was under the assumption he was home schooled.

Which makes this even more puzzling,  unless son is not a good student, failed his grade, there is no reason to keep him back.

So why do I feel that way, because I am a teacher. I taught private school after public school.  My class consisted of students that had a tough time in a larger classroom environment in elementary school. It was a better option than retaining them, which was not  an option, or at best a poor one.  I am proud to say that all of my students went onto college and some grad school.

You see, everyone eventually catches up to one another.

I am sorry, I strongly dont buy into keeping anyone back unless they failed and even then there are other options, and definetly not for sports.  I dont care how good a player is at 12, the odds pretty much are not in his favor he will be even better as a 17, 18, 19 year old.

Elijah posted:

bballdad2016 posted:

TPM posted:

Matty posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

Not knocking guidance counselors....BUT....3000 kids 2-3 adults as guidance counselors?  Unless your kid has been in serious trouble (repeatedly) I doubt they could pick your kid out of a line up and can be asked generic advice but don't think they know your kid.

I don't want to veer off the original thread path, but I had to comment on this entry.  My kids attend a school with 2500 students and have never been in trouble.  Their counselors know them because, as a family, we made a point to introduce ourselves and interact regularly with the counselors.  I make that plural because our original counselor left after my youngest's sophomore year. Most high to elite academic colleges require a recommendation from the applicant's counselor.  Failure to get to know your counselor will result in a very generic recommendation.  Just something to file away.  Be proactive and your counselor will know your child.  

Excellent post.

However, the OPs son is home schooled. 

My understanding is the OPs son is not currently home schooled.  Home school is the plan to repeat the 8th grade with the intention to re-enter the public school system as a Freshman.  Currently at 2020 but trying to become a 2021 via home school....If I've read everything correctly. 

We are currently in a smaller school that uses the K-12 curriculum (home school). We are not in a public school. We have explored the possibility of son going to a public high school. 

So do you see how confusing and misleading your posts have been?

TPM, with all due respect, I think you are looking to be confused. Read the original post. I am looking for those that have been through the process to gauge the situation and give me different angles, good or bad. I had done some research (on this site and elsewhere) which led to the reasons going beyond baseball, especially for his mother who focused in on the maturity issue from the beginning. 

What our current situation is makes no difference is as to the content on the original post. I am happy to hear opinions as stated before, and I knew there would be objections before I posted. But I also knew that more people would see it and that could possibly lead to me being better educated by those that have gone through it. 

Whereas I respect your stance, we feel he would benefit by being with kids his own age in school. That should not be to hard to understand. As a teacher, I would think you would understand what he is going through. He is 20 days shy of being in the grade with kids his age. 

"I am hoping that there are some parents on here that have also made this choice that could maybe tell me how their transition went. Are they happy with their decision, etc."

From my original post. Not too confusing, certainly not misleading. 

Elijah,

Sorry I wasnt the only one confused.

What if i told you I did it and made a mistake, would that make a difference (not for sports).  No, because you already made up your mind!

Go for it!!!!

TPM posted:

Elijah,

Sorry I wasnt the only one confused.

What if i told you I did it and made a mistake, would that make a difference (not for sports).  No, because you already made up your mind!

Go for it!!!!

Actually, that was what my original post asked for. Did you do it with one of your children? Was it a mistake? Why? If that was the case, then your experience would be of value. 

As a private high school football coach, I've seen it a few times , and it is getting more popular, to each his own, but more times than not that extra year usually ends up being a blessing for the child.

Elijah - I sent you a PM. 

Dominik85 posted:

 

And if he is really good that can even hurt his draft status, a 17 year old senior gets more attention than a 19 year old senior. 

Round 1 & 2 HS Players and their age at draft...  Mostly all are closer to 19 than they are to 17...

Mickey Moniak - 18 and 7 mos

Ian Anderson - 18 and 1 mos

Riley Pint - 18 and 7 mos

Braxton Garrett - 18 and 10 mos

Jason Groome - 17 and 9 mos

Joshua Lowe - 18 and 4 mos

Will Benson - 17 and 11 mos

Alex Kirilloff - 18 and 7 mos

Forrest Whitley - 18 and 8 mos

Blake Rutherford - 19 and 1 mos

Gavin Lux - 18 and 6 mos

Delvin Perez - 17 and 6 mos

Hudson Sanchez - 17 and 7 mos

Carter Kieboom - 18 and 9 mos

Cole Ragans - 18 and 5 mos

Dylan Carlson - 17 and 5 mos

Taylor Trammell - 18 and 8 mos

Joey Wentz - 18 and 8 mos

Kevin Gowdy - 18 and 6 mos

Kyle Muller - 18 and 8 mos

Joe Rizzo - 18 and 2 mos

Andrew Yerzy - 17 and 11 mos

Nolan Jones - 18 and 1 mos

Ben Rortvedt - 18 and 8 mos

Brandon Marsh - 18 and 5 mos

Alex Speas - 18 and 3 mos

Bo Bichette - 18 and 3 mos

Travis Macgregor - 18 and 7 mos

Reggie Lawson - 18 and 10 mos

Jose Miranda - 17 and 11 mos

Akil Baddoo - 17 and 9 mos

Mario Feliciano - 17 and 6 mos

Assuming I counted correctly (did it in my head), that's an average of about 18y4m.

Are these just the HS draftees?  Just from the lastest draft? No JUCOs?

Drafted HSers will lean towards the older side for a number of reasons, as will HS draftees who sign. Would be more interesting to look at HS graduation age of actual MLBers or high round draftees including college players.

All that said, I'd expect that they typical signee/draftee is older, there's a fair amount of evidence that being older is an advantage in getting drafted.  The actual question is whether the EV from the minuscule chance of getting signed as an early rounder and/or making it in pro ball outweighs the EV of an extra year in the work force, even controlling for the potential for improved academic outcomes.

I suspect it's highly unlikely that most guys who sign pro contracts are making a +EV financial decision. They're effectively playing a lottery, trading some amount of potential earnings for the small chance of building a pro career that will provide more than just giving up the game and getting a job would. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that, if I was 17-22 again and had the option to play pro ball with little realistic shot of actually making a career out of it, I'm sure I'd do it, too. Doesn't mean it would make sense for me to make the choice to hold my kid back a year in school just to improve the odds he'll make a -EV decision.

Great, we've gone from discussing repeating 8th grade to discussing the average age of HS draftees. 

bballdad2016 posted:

Great, we've gone from discussing repeating 8th grade to discussing the average age of HS draftees. 

What, you didn't see that coming?  I'm surprised it took so long.

Being drafted is one thing, but how many sign and actually "stick with it" and "make it".  Still IIRC that wasn't the goal of the OP. 

This really had nothing to do with the draft. The player hasnt reached HS yet.

But I can understand why it was brought up. This is what happens when someone comes here talking about how good their 12/13 year old is.  Its not meant to be a dig, but it really doesnt matter how good or bad the player may be if the parents are considering retaining the player. JMO

TPM posted:

This really had nothing to do with the draft. The player hasnt reached HS yet.

But I can understand why it was brought up. This is what happens when someone comes here talking about how good their 12/13 year old is.  Its not meant to be a dig, but it really doesnt matter how good or bad the player may be if the parents are considering retaining the player. JMO

TPM, where did I come in talking about how good my son was? Please show me.

Elijah posted:

TPM posted:

Never repeat a grade for sports. If your player shows ability and projection, it wont matter what grade he is in.  

Keeping him back wont make him a better hitter or pitcher.  

JMO

 

There are many reasons that I want to give him the extra year, but baseball was the reason that I looked into the idea. I want him playing with his actual age and not something determined by a cutoff date from our state. As it stands, he would not get to play 14u baseball. He would go 13u straight to high school. Some might then say he should be playing his grade. To that, I say that he is still 12 until August. If he played his grade, his 13u season would already be over. Although he is very talented, he only began playing at 10u (rec). He needs more reps before high school. The funny thing is that he plays with kids that are older than he is...and they are in a grade below him. I regret that his mom and I did not consider this when he was younger, but I am excited about what we can do with an extra year at this age. So many good ideas from those that have come to the same decision. 

Unless I am mistaken, if he was able to participate at a higher level of baseball, he would be competing to be on teams (like Area Code, etc) at the grade level, correct? This would put him at a tremendous disadvantage just for having a late birthday.  

This. No harm done. It was JMO.

I don't really think grades or education are the reason you are thinking about repeating the eighth grade.  After all, there isn't any mention of poor acedemic performance.  However, you have given a few sports related reasons.  I'll be honest, I kind of thought this all along.  After all, why would a parent ask about repeating a grade on a "baseball" forum if it didn't have anything to do with athletics? 

I have no real stance on the issue at hand. But like I mentioned, make sure you really know the rules/consequences/curriculum requirements if you decide to repeate via home school.  

bballdad2016 posted:

I don't really think grades or education are the reason you are thinking about repeating the eighth grade.  After all, there isn't any mention of poor acedemic performance.  However, you have given a few sports related reasons.  I'll be honest, I kind of thought this all along.  After all, why would a parent ask about repeating a grade on a "baseball" forum if it didn't have anything to do with athletics? 

 

I have no real stance on the issue at hand. But like I mentioned, make sure you really know the rules/consequences/curriculum requirements if you decide to repeate via home school.  

Yep, baseball gave me the idea. All this is documented in this thread. In fact, I state this in the opening post. Grades are not the reason. Maturity level is the big one.. But again, if you just read my posts in this thread, you will get a fuller picture. I did take notice of your advice to make sure we do advance with county rules in mind. 

But just to be clear. Although baseball gave me the idea, my research informed me that I was overlooking something in my son. He tried to have conversations with me concerning him being so young relative to his class. I just was not putting it all together. If he quit baseball today, I would give him that extra year. This "baseball" idea that I had has been a true blessing in disguise. Others can agree or disagree. I have no control over that. But I can listen to the pros and cons as that might help guide me. 

bballdad2016 posted:

I don't really think grades or education are the reason you are thinking about repeating the eighth grade.  After all, there isn't any mention of poor acedemic performance.  However, you have given a few sports related reasons.  I'll be honest, I kind of thought this all along.  After all, why would a parent ask about repeating a grade on a "baseball" forum if it didn't have anything to do with athletics? 

 

Elijah, 

I saw it the same way and probably others too.  Then you mentioned area code, which doesnt happen until later in HS.  Sometimes its hard trying to get a point across on a message board. Just make sure that you do your homework as suggested above.

Good luck.

TPM posted:

Elijah posted:

TPM posted:

Never repeat a grade for sports. If your player shows ability and projection, it wont matter what grade he is in.  

Keeping him back wont make him a better hitter or pitcher.  

JMO

 

There are many reasons that I want to give him the extra year, but baseball was the reason that I looked into the idea. I want him playing with his actual age and not something determined by a cutoff date from our state. As it stands, he would not get to play 14u baseball. He would go 13u straight to high school. Some might then say he should be playing his grade. To that, I say that he is still 12 until August. If he played his grade, his 13u season would already be over. Although he is very talented, he only began playing at 10u (rec). He needs more reps before high school. The funny thing is that he plays with kids that are older than he is...and they are in a grade below him. I regret that his mom and I did not consider this when he was younger, but I am excited about what we can do with an extra year at this age. So many good ideas from those that have come to the same decision. 

Unless I am mistaken, if he was able to participate at a higher level of baseball, he would be competing to be on teams (like Area Code, etc) at the grade level, correct? This would put him at a tremendous disadvantage just for having a late birthday.  

This. No harm done. It was JMO.

"Although he is very talented, he only began playing at 10u (rec). He needs more reps before high school." 

This? You mean the part about him needing more reps?

"Unless I am mistaken, if he was able to participate at a higher level of baseball, he would be competing to be on teams (like Area Code, etc) at the grade level, correct?"

This? Do you mean the "if he was able to participate at a higher level of baseball'? 

Please read all the words, not just some. This "problem post" (as you call it) has yielded some incredibly helpful ideas for me. My guess is, considering your ranking on this forum, you could have offered some sage advice. You might want to consider that reactions like yours actually stop people from asking meaning questions. Like I said, offer the cons like bballdad2016 did about possible complications of entering public school after the extra year. That was good advice that I had not thought about. 

"This is what happens when someone comes here talking about how good their 12/13 year old is."

Come on. There are far too many people on this site with accomplished players for me to do anything other than learn. I have nothing to gain by trying to prop my son up. He is talented enough that this site could be useful to me in guiding him. Again, thanks to all who offered their experiences because, truly, THAT is what happened. I think this thread has helped and probably run its course. 

You arent always going to get the response you want from everyone. I gave my opinion. Its ok if you dont like it.

You got your answers. I was just commenting on why it went in another direction. Take care of business and give it a rest.

I agree that this thread has run its course. I'll also state "my opinion" and say your mind was made up prior to your original post.  And on a last note (from me), get to know TPM.  She has offered very sage advise to you, you just didn't hear it.  A few years ago her advise would have sounded like "have you lost your mind?".  But if you re-read the entire thread, you may be able to pick up on that from the majority that have posted.  

When I first read your original post, I wanted to respond with "no, don't repeat 8th grade. As a matter of fact, have him get his GED and enter a JUCO ASAP." 

If anyone was wondering why there is a 2020 PM this thread pretty much explains it.

He took the question out of the PM because we mostly have 2020's and didn't have the answer and that is what we encourage the parents of 2020's to do, take it to the main board if it's about something we have no clue about...after all, baseball site or not, logic would dictate someone on the board had done this and where else could he get this many parents eyes on a question like this?

Elijah mentioned area code games as a part of a larger scenario later on for his kid, as a what if he does get better this is who he would have to compete against one day. He didn't claim his kid was a stud, didn't claim he was doing this for draft purposes and only asked if anyone had done it and what were the results.  It was the older board members that turned this into a draft question not Elijaha.

Pretty much explains why I'm not a part of the '2020 PM group'. 

CaCO3Girl posted:

If anyone was wondering why there is a 2020 PM this thread pretty much explains it.

He took the question out of the PM because we mostly have 2020's and didn't have the answer and that is what we encourage the parents of 2020's to do, take it to the main board if it's about something we have no clue about...after all, baseball site or not, logic would dictate someone on the board had done this and where else could he get this many parents eyes on a question like this?

Elijah mentioned area code games as a part of a larger scenario later on for his kid, as a what if he does get better this is who he would have to compete against one day. He didn't claim his kid was a stud, didn't claim he was doing this for draft purposes and only asked if anyone had done it and what were the results.  It was the older board members that turned this into a draft question not Elijaha.

So I guess you are running the forum now.  

I did say that sometimes things get lost in the translation.

Good luck and have fun.

bballdad2016 posted:

I agree that this thread has run its course. I'll also state "my opinion" and say your mind was made up prior to your original post.  And on a last note (from me), get to know TPM.  She has offered very sage advise to you, you just didn't hear it.  A few years ago her advise would have sounded like "have you lost your mind?".  But if you re-read the entire thread, you may be able to pick up on that from the majority that have posted.  

 

When I first read your original post, I wanted to respond with "no, don't repeat 8th grade. As a matter of fact, have him get his GED and enter a JUCO ASAP." 

"I know some of you don't agree with this type of decision. I am not here to argue the point. I am not on the fence about this. I want to do it and my son is for the idea. Baseball aside, I believe it is the best thing for my son. However, I am happy to hear any point of view as there is always room to learn something from another opinion. If you have made this decision, I would appreciate your thoughts."

From my the original post. This might have been how you came to your conclusion.

TPM posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

If anyone was wondering why there is a 2020 PM this thread pretty much explains it.

He took the question out of the PM because we mostly have 2020's and didn't have the answer and that is what we encourage the parents of 2020's to do, take it to the main board if it's about something we have no clue about...after all, baseball site or not, logic would dictate someone on the board had done this and where else could he get this many parents eyes on a question like this?

Elijah mentioned area code games as a part of a larger scenario later on for his kid, as a what if he does get better this is who he would have to compete against one day. He didn't claim his kid was a stud, didn't claim he was doing this for draft purposes and only asked if anyone had done it and what were the results.  It was the older board members that turned this into a draft question not Elijaha.

So I guess you are running the forum now.  

I did say that sometimes things get lost in the translation.

Good luck and have fun.

I'm not running anything.  I'm pointing out that this happens often to the 2020 parents on the board.  We ask a question and someone interprets it to mean draft, MiLB, MLB...when really it was just a question.

Caco: it doesn't happen to 2020 parents.  It happens to all parents (past and present).  Stick around long enough to see the 2022,23,24 parents show up and you will know what I mean.  

Elijah: if your son really is all about repeating the eighth grade then maybe he does need to repeat it.  I just asked my youngest son (2020 grad) if he would be willing to repeate the eighth grade and he almost cussed in front of me for the first time.  

bballdad2016 posted:

Caco: it doesn't happen to 2020 parents.  It happens to all parents (past and present).  Stick around long enough to see the 2022,23,24 parents show up and you will know what I mean.  

Elijah: if your son really is all about repeating the eighth grade then maybe he does need to repeat it.  I just asked my youngest son (2020 grad) if he would be willing to repeate the eighth grade and he almost cussed in front of me for the first time.  

Bball2016, yes, anyone pre varsity gets the same.  I wish some people on the board could try to stick to the topic at hand and not read into it that the poster thinks their pre-teen kid is a super star.

I get it, this site is full of parents who have watched their kids get D1 scholarships, get drafted, even make it to the 35 man roster....when they think back to 8th or 10th grade they were on a different track than most of us ever will be, but it's all they know and all they have to compare to, but it isn't the track most of us are on.  

I would love to see my kid play MLB, parents of non baseball players would love that, but right now I am just really hoping he makes the JV team and Elijaha was just hoping for input from people who had experience repeating 8th grade.

This forum is called the HSBBW. A few years ago they created a middle school forum.  Somehow this place has turned into you guys against us.

I understand you encouraged Elijah to ask the question on the board, thats fine, he explained his point, I explained mine. Since when does someone tell someone else their opinion wasnt what they wete looking for, ok, fine move on but it seems that YOU have made this an issue.

I am done, you all can come out if the woodwork and post away. Its all yours. 

Sorry, I have to chuckle a bit, tell you all that regardless, you all will be in for a big shock when you see how it really is, you will look back and say...hmm, I guess I wasnt listening. How could you even say, yea i want my son to play MLB someday when you dont even have a clue about high school baseball!