[barrel]

I think most people agree that 17 or just turning 18 before entering college/real world is too young. Start the kid late or hold them back a year at some point. No big deal. There are a number of upsides to holding a student back or starting them later and most would agree with those.

Now there are some areas where it is more common for MS age students to get held back. These students often play sports and are held back around their 7th grade year. These schools/areas don't think anything about it. I have been in more than one conversation when I have been told that almost all the 7th graders are going to hold back or along those lines. This is coming from the HCs of these teams so its not like it is hear say crap. That I believe is a little wrong.