[sstack]

I'm an 8th grader, but I happen to be a 7th grade hold-back and, in my opinion, I've benefited greatly from it. In our area, all the schools around us have teams that have all been held back in early grades, so for us, we were always competing against kids a year older than we were. After we stayed back, we've not only competitively played with teams like North Laurel, South Laurel, Corbin, and Whitley County, we've beat every one.
On the flip-side, I've also made a TON of new friends that I would have never had if I had not stayed back.

If you're debating on it, go for it. You won't regret it.

I have a daughter who could have been held back going into kindergarden due to late Sept. birthday. Socially and academically she was ready and the decision was made to not hold her back. She is now a 6th grader and participates on the high schools varsity team. She is still very small and physically behind kids in her class. Yes, holding her back would have given her a huge help with athletics, but academics have to come first and she is right where she needs to be. Sad to think people value athletics over academcis.