Brentwood redshirting (theater, school districts, college)

[Coney]

Originally Posted by AlfieGeorge

Hi again septimus. Can you tell me any more about the Montessori Academy? I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that MA isn't considered true Montessori since I would actually prefer somewhat of a balance between that approach and Montessori. I called the Franklin montessori school but it seems that there weren't many kids beyond lower elementary and I thought it would help to have a bit larger selection of kids to form friendships with. I have a friend whose kids attend a smaller school and she had issues when she didn't really click with the few other girls. I've never heard of Akiva but will check it out.

Thanks again, this really helps.

Akiva is a sectarian Jewish day school, not a Montessori School. For a school to be a true Montessori school, it needs to be AMS or AMI accredited and the teachers need Montessori certification. Since there is no copyright or license on the word, Montessori, any school can use that word in its name. You will find that many Montessori schools do not go beyond 3rd grade as it gets difficult to continue Montessori philosophy, yet maintain state requirements and testing. Maria Montessori didn't have to worry about such things. There are schools that do have upper grades, it is just more uncommon.

[septimus]

Originally Posted by Anony-Momma

At least you know about it and have the option (is your instinct saying "hold back"?)- we moved in with older kids and were completely unaware that this was common practice. We moved from a state with a very late start date where few held back - and for one of my children, the age and maturity difference in the grade is h u g e.

It was so uncommon in the area that we LEFT that the question never once crossed my mind as we prepared to move South. Wish I had known that.

When I was weighing what to do with my Aug birthday kid I also had to weight the potential for moving back to where we were which had a 12/31 cut off and no real redshirting (although it was starting to catch on).

[AlfieGeorge]

Originally Posted by septimus

When I was weighing what to do with my Aug birthday kid I also had to weight the potential for moving back to where we were which had a 12/31 cut off and no real redshirting (although it was starting to catch on).

Yes, I have to think of that too. There is a real possibility that we would move back in a few years. He has cousins and friends in the same grade and I'm sure it would be a drag for him to be behind them. That makes the Montessori look more attractive too since it is so flexible.

[AlfieGeorge]

Originally Posted by Coney

AYou will find that many Montessori schools do not go beyond 3rd grade as it gets difficult to continue Montessori philosophy, yet maintain state requirements and testing. Maria Montessori didn't have to worry about such things. There are schools that do have upper grades, it is just more uncommon.

That's a big concern for me. I don't have a feel for how well it works as they get older. I don't think there is much technology integration either which I think is key nowadays.

[BimsBandBooms]

Originally Posted by Coney

Akiva is a sectarian Jewish day school, not a Montessori School. For a school to be a true Montessori school, it needs to be AMS or AMI accredited and the teachers need Montessori certification. Since there is no copyright or license on the word, Montessori, any school can use that word in its name. You will find that many Montessori schools do not go beyond 3rd grade as it gets difficult to continue Montessori philosophy, yet maintain state requirements and testing. Maria Montessori didn't have to worry about such things. There are schools that do have upper grades, it is just more uncommon.

Maybe the poster meant Abintra? They're members of AMS.

[Vandy-bound]

Our kids have summer birthdays and are almost always the youngest in their classes, sometimes by a year or so. Both boys, they haven't had a hard time because of their birthdays. Obviously, as the parent, you know your child best, but after they've been in school through 3rd grade, I can't imagine that holding back a year would be beneficial. If academically your child is doing well, perhaps finding a counselor (either at school or private) who could help your child with coping strategies for the social aspects he is having challenges with would be a better option than having him repeat a year.

[septimus]

Originally Posted by Vandy-bound

Our kids have summer birthdays and are almost always the youngest in their classes, sometimes by a year or so. Both boys, they haven't had a hard time because of their birthdays. Obviously, as the parent, you know your child best, but after they've been in school through 3rd grade, I can't imagine that holding back a year would be beneficial. If academically your child is doing well, perhaps finding a counselor (either at school or private) who could help your child with coping strategies for the social aspects he is having challenges with would be a better option than having him repeat a year.

OP Pediatric Therapies in Cool Springs runs some very good group classes to help kids learn to socialize/interact with other kids.

[brentwoodgirl]

Originally Posted by Anony-Momma

At least you know about it and have the option (is your instinct saying "hold back"?)- we moved in with older kids and were completely unaware that this was common practice. We moved from a state with a very late start date where few held back - and for one of my children, the age and maturity difference in the grade is h u g e.

It was so uncommon in the area that we LEFT that the question never once crossed my mind as we prepared to move South. Wish I had known that.

No, he's going on time. He's 4, and he packs his own lunch and cleans out his own folder to check for homework. He does basic reading and writing. His teacher said we would be nuts to hold him back, so we are letting him go. My older ones have done well, so I hope we can guide him through this as well.

Sophomore year will be tough, as every one else will start driving during that year (or come into it already driving), but I was younger too, so I will be able to empathize with them.

[ChristheNew Yorker]

I think you might consider getting your boy involved in some activities that build self confidence because there are always going to be older and bigger kids at school. I put all three of mine into karate. This was not so much for self defense but for self confidence. It was a three and half year process that ended with self confident kids that learned some athletic training techniques and became better athletes. Good luck.

[budgiegirl]

My daughter has a July 27 birthday and she is on time (currently 10 in 5th grade, in a Franklin public school). I can't imagine having kept her back.
I know people view boys differently - but I think it depends on the boy. If he is doing fine in 3rd grade where he is, then I would think he'd be fine anywhere.