Tuesday, June 7, 2011

6th Grade Graduation, Is an 11 Year Old Ready for Junior High?

Well, our oldest just graduated from 6th grade.

They had all the 6th graders go through this balloon tunnel in 2's to the stage, and it was really crazy at how huge all the kids were compared to our son. I mean, yes, we saw a big difference at the beginning of the school year, but now at the end even more so. These other kids were giantic! They towered above him. Some of them looked like kids in high school already.

And then here is our #1, an 11 year old about to enter 7th grade. It was even weird seeing the "Future Class of 2017" banners that were posted around the auditorium. That's right, he will have just turned 17 when he graduates. I remember I was almost 19 when I graduated.

So, how has the year been? Our son went from 4th grade to 6th grade, and a lot of people have told us how detrimental that is on a kid socially, but we actually think it has been wonderful for him. He has done wonderfully well in academics receiving a perfect report card of straight A's and all Honors in citizenship for the entire 6th grade year. Great academically, but socially, he has been so happy this year! Unlike last year, there hasn't been a single time he has come home upset or commenting on how lonely he is or how the other kids won't play with him. These older kids, his new peers, seem to have accepted him just fine and they include him. No, he may not have developed any close best friend type friendships, but he felt as if he could talk or hang out with any groups in the 6th grade.

I don't know how it will be as he enters junior high this next fall. I hope that he hits a growth spurt soon, but he will do alright. As of now, just a year after skipping him 5th grade, I do not regret it. If anything, I think it's one of the best things we've ever done for our son. Every kid is different though. Who knows what will come for him when he gets to high school and driving and dating come into effect.