Redshirting a March birthday boy

[Anonymous]

I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

[Anonymous]

For a March birthday? No. That's ridiculous unless there is some really clearly defined reason that makes sense to both you and the school.

Go to public. my guess is you'll have a good experience there. You can then decide next year to stay in public for elementary school or apply to private for 1str grade.

The harder question is what to do with your older son who seems to be thriving. I'd have trouble trusting the school for him any more, but I'd hate to make him move if he's happy.

[Anonymous]

These anti-redshirters never have any argument about why redshirting is wrong other than some rule public schools use that actually varies from state to state. Who cares what rules public schools use. Do what's best for your kid.

[Anonymous]

OP - I would sit down and have an honest conversation with the school admissions so that you can decide what to do. If they genuinely think he needs more time, then consider it. But if it seems like they are using it as a play to accept other kids into K and keep yours back in PK to make space for a new K family - I'd consider opting for another school and transferring later. Do this nicely, saying you're not sure you feel comfortable holding him back and ask them and say you are going to try elsewhere and would love to come back later after you know more (and at whatever grade that might be....ie redshirted or not). You could also ask to enter K and then say you are open to repeating K (or moving to PK) if the K placement wasn't the right match.

[Anonymous]

A March birthday is on the extreme for redshirting. Usually with summer birthdays that are redshirted, the kids still graduate high school at 18. That said, do what is best for your kid and consider how helpful this would actually be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

Sure, but turning 19 - as this child would do - is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

Sure, but turning 19 - as this child would do - is not.

Yes that is why this goes beyond normal redshirting.

[Anonymous]

This is why she needs to discuss with the school what their reasoning is. Even if her child may be slightly immature now, at this age, that could change quickly over the next school year. I would hope the school would be open to other options (trying k and repeating if necessary, starting elsewhere and considering admission again next year into the level they feel appropriate at that time...etc)

[Anonymous]

In lower school it seems embarrassing and strange to red shirt a March birthday, by middle school there will be several other kids his age who have been held back for various reasons and suddenly he's not the odd one out. I have high schoolers and the older boys have a big advantage socially and with sports. In hindsight I wouldn't hesitate to red shirt a boy with a March birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

Sure, but turning 19 - as this child would do - is not.

Yes that is why this goes beyond normal redshirting.

Kids start college at all different ages. One friend did two years in the marines. Another was a professional ballerina for several years. Princeton, Stanford, all the best schools have older freshmen

[Anonymous]

Absolutely do not redshirt a March birthday just to get into private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

Sure, but turning 19 - as this child would do - is not.

Yes that is why this goes beyond normal redshirting.

Kids start college at all different ages. One friend did two years in the marines. Another was a professional ballerina for several years. Princeton, Stanford, all the best schools have older freshmen

These are adults who made choices based on other opportunities; this is in no way related to redshirting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid in 11th in a popular DC private and birthdays are all over the map. Plenty of kids "redshirted" who are turning 18 sometime during the school year or summer before 12th. It's just not that big of a deal. It all evens out by high school, and a little extra maturity for a boy is rarely a bad thing. I wouldn't over think it.

If you are really opposed, then try to convince the school to let him enter in K or find another school. If you're just surprised but not opposed (and if your older kids have had great experiences there), then trust the school and take their recommendation - they've seen hundreds of kids come through their doors and they probably know if PK or K is better for your kid for the PK and K cohorts that they are designing.

It’s actually a huge deal. Those kids should be going to college. What’s going on at that school if they have so many immature kids? The school failed them if they are 18 year old seniors and immature.

Turning 18 before graduating is completely normal.

Sure, but turning 19 - as this child would do - is not.

Yes that is why this goes beyond normal redshirting.

Kids start college at all different ages. One friend did two years in the marines. Another was a professional ballerina for several years. Princeton, Stanford, all the best schools have older freshmen

With that logic, then one should redshirt for years and graduate high school at age 25 and upwards.