Older child repeating grade?

[RachelEllen]

Has anyone ha an older child who repeated a grade? Our 9 year old was accepted for 5th grade at a wonderful dual language school, but they had to cancel the immersian entry program. They have offered him a spot in their regular 4th grade program. We see lots of advantages. He's very young for his grade, plus there's no guarentee he could get back into this school during 6th grade expansian.

His mom and dad (I'm the stepmom) are going to tell him next week. (as well as tell him the summer tutoring he will have to d) can anyone share a similar conversation or experience?

 

[gina2000]

I have a friend whose daughter repeated 8th grade. She was immature, a December birthday in a district that had a December 31 cutoff and was moving to another district that had a September cutoff. The young lady adjusted very well and is doing exceptionally well in school. I think they took an enormous chance with her self-esteem but this young lady is pliable and accepts her parents' decisions without question.

I think the child's personality and self esteen should be examined before any decision is made. If a child is not having academic difficulities, I think it's a difficult decision for the child to accept.

 

[golfgal]

If it is a new school for him and he is very young for his grade it might be a good option. How mature is he compared to his current classmates? DS16 is very young for his grade and now that he is going to be a senior in high school next year that immaturity is very evident. We almost moved when DS16 was going into 6th grade and if we had moved we would have had him repeat 5th grade so he could catch up maturity-wise. If you have concerns like this I would say it would be a good idea to have him do 4th grade over. Since there isn't a 5th grade program, that could be the reason for him to do 4th grade again vs anything to do with him personally.

 

[RachelEllen]

Thanks for the input.

The schools a little different than normal because its a dual languge school. They have regular entry points for kids in kindergarden, 1st, 6th, and high school. Other than that, you can't usually enter the school, because half your classes are in a foreign language. DSS speaks Spanish, but has never read or written it. Every few years, the schools runs a small special class to transition kids into the school at other entry points. DSS was admitted to this program as a 5th grader, but not enough other kids accepted and now they cant run it.

Because of his situation (expressive and comprehensive fluency), they are willing to tutor him over the summer in reading and writing, and admit him for fourth grade. He's ok academically, and the basic subjects should be easy for him, allowing him to be pulled out if extra help is needed for reading and writing.

Dh is really in favor. DSS isn't less mature than is expected for his age. But he is the youngest child in his class and a boy. And you can tell the difference between a 9 year old boy and 10 year old girl. He has more work habit issues than average but no conduct issues.

We think its a wonderful opportunity. The school is much more competative to get into for 6th grade, and we are loathe to drop this chance to switch from the public school system. (Which, unfortunately, really drops in quality for middle school)

DSS was super, super excited to get into the school. I know DH is very nervous about presenting the plan to him!

 

[bgirl29]

We had neighbors that were new to our state and their daughter was a grade ahead of most of the kids in our area at the same age. They decided to have her repeat I believe it was 4th grade just to be with her peers. Her self esteem was just fine. I think you have the perfect excuse with changing schools to have him repeat if you think it is a good idea. I have a dd that will be 9 this summer and I think if explained properly that repeating a grade needed to be done that she would be fine with it, especially with changing schools.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My children are in a Spanish Immersion magnet program. Students are only allowed to enter during K and 1st. This year a new 5th grade student transfered from an immersion school in Charlotte. Her mother said she had a difficult transitioning from part-time immersion to all day immersion.

We have been extremely happy with our program. It is rigorous and challenging. It has been a blessing for my children.

I feel it would be a great opportunity for your stepson. Most of our new to the program 1st graders need a lot of tutoring throughout the school year. They usually catch up to their classmates by 3rd or 4th grade.

If your stepson is starting in 4th, he will need tremendous support by his parents and teachers. I would continue tutoring throughout the school year.

Lori

 

[MoniqueU]

I have never had one repeat but was prepared to have to do it for my K if she didn't do well. Her preschool teacher thought she was not ready, but she did fine.
I see no downside to this for him really other then one more year of schoo. Even though my oldest had done great academically most of his school career I wish I had kept him out one more year as now his immaturity is affecting his high school grades. We are working on that but i think one more year would of helped.

I also have a 12 year old dD that missed the cutoff by 3 days that i should of pushed to have mobed up, she is out of place in her grade both academically and socially.

So bottom line you and his parents know the child best but if it is not going to impact him socially with the transfer i would go for it as eben if he is doing great academically now later on down the line that one extra year could make all the difference.

 

[englishteacha]

I've known kids who had to repeat a grade when attending a private school. It was due to the school and not the child. If this opportunitity is something you seek for your son, I would present it as such. "You've been accepted into this wonderful school! They don't have a program for your grade, but you can attend the 4th grade and move onto 5th with the other kids. Wouldn't it be awesome? You'll ace all the 4th grade stuff in English, and you'll really learn a lot in Spanish!"

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably say something like "We can get you into XYZ school, but they don't have room in 5th grade for you, but they are suggesting you going into 4th grade. We think it's a good idea since you haven't been in a dual language school, because it will give you time to get used to 1/2 your school day being in a different language while you are doing work that will be a good review for you, since you already done some 4th grade work."

 

[Judy from Boise]

My DD had a horrible time in our 7th grade public school. It did not meet her learning needs, and we did not like the peer group. We found a fantastic private school for her, but their curriculum was built to be the most beneficial when you went 7th - 9th grade. After long talks with my DD, and the school, we decided for her to repeat 7th grade. She now is going into her senior year of HS having all ready turned 18 in Feb of this year, but she has no regrets and is very glad she chose to do what she did.

 

[golfgal]

My DD had a horrible time in our 7th grade public school. It did not meet her learning needs, and we did not like the peer group. We found a fantastic private school for her, but their curriculum was built to be the most beneficial when you went 7th - 9th grade. After long talks with my DD, and the school, we decided for her to repeat 7th grade. She now is going into her senior year of HS having all ready turned 18 in Feb of this year, but she has no regrets and is very glad she chose to do what she did.

This would be something else to consider, turning 18 in Feb of sr year around here is very normal with a Sept 1st cutoff. For those that live in areas with Dec cutoffs they will enter college with kids almost 2 years older then they are in some cases.