Makes me sick to my stomach to read this. We all know it has been going on. Less so in LI and NJ, but still goes on. Prevalent in Maryland and D.C., and in Philly to a lessor extent. Not sure what they are teaching their kids in terms of life lessons but who am I to quesiton it.
Are you serious? Going on at an epidemic level in the Philly preps schools. Also out of control in Mass as well. 3d actually promoting the practice at their camps and teams.
The people who get fired up about this issue do so bc for the vast majority of them they don't have the option to reclassify. If given the chance most would do it. The moral high ground argument is nonsense.
I have a talented 7th grader. How do I do this on LI?
Here you go--- assuming your 7th grader is currently 12 or 13 years old.... A Few Easy Steps (but start now!): 1) Have your kid complete 8th grade at his current school 2) Pay $28+g to go to Friends, Buckley, Waldorf, Portledge, GreenVale (or any similar independent private school). 3) Have your child REPEAT 8th GRADE at one of the above (reclassify your child to the year below his actual birth/academic age for travel / club lacrosse). 4) Let club team coaches know your 2019 kid is REALLY now a 2020 kid. 5) Bring your kid to as many showcases as possible so that he/she can compete against kids 1 year (or more) younger. 6) Now, submit to the high school entrance process, take necessary tests, etc. 7) Then choose a nice Catholic (CHS,STA,KEL) or Private(FA) and have them enter as a Freshman. 8) The child will be "Noticed" as standout Freshman and be rewarded with a premium spot on the lax team (possibly a jump to JV or Varsity) and play 4 years of HS. 9) The College Recruiting Process will be in full swing during all this... go to an many showcases and talk to coaches; also start exploring the costs of a Post Grad year at Deerfield, Salisbury, Avon, etc. 10 ) Accept offer to D1 Lacrosse Program (partial scholarship)to enter as a Freshman in 2021 (at age 20) two years AFTER your next door neighbors kid who is the same age. 11 ) Embark on a Red Shirt Freshman year. 12 ) Finally your child competes in his/her first meaningful college game at age 21. 13 ) Your child graduates in 2026 (at age 24 - 25)
What is also very important is that your child must be bigger, faster and act more mature than any other 12-13 year old that they face once they've reclassified because they will actually be 1 year (OR MORE) older...and you want to make sure they stand out in their new "MAGIC" age group.
Also, fairness and honesty and respect for fair competition must be forgotten... and don't ever think of it as cheating.
Sleep well.
And all of that to possibly get partial tuition. Still have to save 120K to cover the difference.
