I need some advice on our son.

[packman]

12. There is a lot going on at that age and that grade level

Grades may, and seem to be, of the utmost importance to you. However, you do not live in his world or his skin. "Dropping" from an A to a B is not the end of the world. I would thinks you might look at the standards and the critique of his previous teacher who gave him that A. Perhaps, just perhaps, he has run into a teacher who doesn't believe in grade inflation which is rampant especially in middle schools. Look into the classroom objectives and the curriculum goals. A conference with some paperwork explaining what is being expected from him to obtain an A should be given to you as well as an explanation of the teacher's/school's grading policies.

However, as stated above, you have a lot of outside pressure and expectations being thrown at him. Be cool about it.