There are very few academic or psychological reasons for repeating 8th; commonly via a private as public admins will not approve when academically, promotion is validated. The Dorris Eaton types of privates attract the academically talented...they’re getting kids who SKIP a grade UP. The parochials need tuition and typically only exclude special needs/very low performing (hence, “admittance tests”) as taxpayer funded programs via publics are tailored better for that population, and via budgetary terms, privates are unwilling to broadly accept a population which requires significant monetary investment.
To me, it’s sillly to hold back at K or 8th for athletic reasons. As Streak intimates, either you’re soft or not! But some of these families have a lot riding on their progeny getting that coveted “paid for” college spot. And it’s fact it may not work.
@60- “this is the standard now.” That may be true in privates. There are strict guidelines about academic promotion in publics wherein if a parent whose kid is promotion worthy academically wants him/her held back, MDs and Staff Psych. must weigh in. My observations are they then simply repeat at a private, which have looser promotion requirements, and remain there OR rejoin their peers later at -1 grade. The parochials in the East Bay have open arms, with the admittance of non-Catholics steadily rising. For example, the Diocese of Oakland (covering much of the East Bay) is closing elementary campuses due to low enrollment and has put the touted Livermore HS on the shelf.
