Question
My older son is going to High School next year. My younger son (in 6th grade) does not want to stay in the same school he currently is in.
This is a private Catholic school and he has good friends there but he would like to switch to a different one because of his soccer friends…. Do you think I am doing the right thing giving him the opportunity to look into another option or should I just keep him where he is for the next two years of middle school? He tells me he is not happy where he is and since his older brother is not going to be there next year he would like to switch.
The other schools he wants don't have high school either and for me, it does not make sense to change him for two years and have to change him again when he needs to go to high school. I don’t know what to do because he is a very happy boy and I don't want him to be miserable for the next couple of years. I need your advice here!
Answer
The answer to your question is ‘depends…’
It is important for adolescents to feel supported and motivated by their environment.
When they lose that motivation it usually results in disengagement and difficult behavior.
It doesn't hurt to look at other schools. If his soccer teammates are in another setting, two years with them seems like what he is looking for.
It It is perfectly normal for most teens to want to be with close friends.
You name the only reason to stay in his current school: it is easier.
That needs to be held in mind when making this decision.
Will moving him cause chaos for you with drop off, with finances? If so, you have to share those issues with your son and speak about those barriers as a family.
Take all these into account and also do the due diligence of looking into the other schools. It may be that those other schools do not have space anymore and the decision will be made for you.