<p>There is a distinct advantage in your son repeating the entire 8th grade year at a new middle school and continuing there through 9th grade. He can apply to high school for entry in the 10th grade, with a clean academic slate from the new middle school, leaving behind his present school’s problematic grades. Be forewarned though that in the high school application, u will be asked about any unusual sequencing in his child’s education. Answering truthfully about the repeating should be a non issue if he performs well at the new middle school.</p>