<p>I think he needs a fresh start at a new school. Would it make sense for you to have him repeat the eighth grade, so he wouldn’t look so much younger than his peers, in a new school? Even a year away from his harassers could do wonders for his confidence and ability to connect with other kids. Does he have access to group activities outside of school that don’t involve kids he knows, such as theater groups or club sports or youth orchestras or church/temple youth groups? As sax suggested, are there group lessons, such as karate, sailing, crew, painting, etc. which would develop an interest or talent but also give him a different group of kids to make friends with? </p>
<p>I have a friend who turned to an internet based high school program, fully accredited by CA, for a son with learning disabilities who also wanted time to go on auditions. He can work at his own pace academically, he can go into the school facility and see teachers when he needs to, he has time for acting lessons and club soccer and a part-time job (lots of outlets for socializing) but he doesn’t have to put up with the negativity of certain classmates and the rigid schedules of the public high school. Something to think about.</p>