Redshirting a March birthday boy
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Anonymous
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The school my older kids attend indicated that my youngest son can be accepted to PK instead of K. He has a March birthday and I never considered redshirting him. He is tall and average in academics (I think… as far as 4 year olds go).
For context, most July and August kids are redshirted at this school. Many June and a few May and April. I have also known of a February kid, but that was only one in 5 years my older kids have been at this school. I don’t think they will accept him unless we agree to register him in PK. What should we do? We don’t have other options really (other than public) |
Anonymous
| His older siblings have September and November birthdays and therefore were not redshirted |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't unless there was some developmental need. |
Anonymous
| Would not do this. Your child would be 1.5 years older than other students starting college or if you switch to public. Super awkward. |
Anonymous
| OP here. What should I do then? Public? I don’t think we have a choice. Should I fight the school about this? I don’t think I want to get on their bad side… |
Anonymous
| Don’t do it. It’s a money grab by the school. Redshirting a March birthday is utterly ridiculous. Your kid deserves better. He’ll be bored to tears. |
Anonymous
| Yes, just do public. Apply again later. |
Anonymous
+1. This is not a good sign from the school |
Anonymous
+1. I have three kids ages 14, 11 and 7. Redshirting is common for kids with summer birthdays. I have never met a kid with a spring birthday who was redshirted. It doesn’t speak well for the school that it would suggest this. They should either accept him for the appropriate grade or reject him. |
Anonymous
I know a March girl whose mother redshirted for the right school. It's not a choice I'd make tho. |
Anonymous
I would opt for public or a different private school for next year (if there is still time to apply) or send him to public k and apply to a different private for first grade. |
Anonymous
| Did they tell you this formally or informally? I didn't think most schools had their offers out yet? |
Anonymous
Informally because we are a sibling family. |
Anonymous
I agree that OP shouldn’t do it but your math is misleading. If red-shirted he’d only be 1.5 years older than September kids who go on time, not than most students in his grade. He’d be 6-9 months older than fall bday kids, 9-12 months older than winter bday kids, 12-15 months older than spring bday kids, and 15-18 months older than summer bday kids. It’s a bad idea to redshirt him unless he has developmental delays or other issues which will make school very challenging for him which it doesn’t sound like he does. |
Anonymous
| Don't hold him back. Age is to a good reason and they may do it so they can get him in but make other kids a priority. Public or find another school. |