Advice needed

The last day of school was today as I mentioned earlier this morning. My son, that dear boy, has disappointed me in a huge way. He has managed to get average to below average to failing in all but one of his core classes. ACK!!!! Not due to lack of intelligence (well....), I mean he is a smart kid but he DOES NOT apply himself, he blows off work, he procrastinates. I do not know what to do, I just don't. I have spoken to his teachers in the past, that didn't work. I have spoken with his guidance counselor, that didn't work. I have restricted him until he started showing progress, that worked a wee bit, but not much. I have tried the opposite and said we are starting fresh despite you are not doing well, you will slowly lose things if you do not work to your potential, and that didn't work.

Next year he is starting middle school, a whole new ball game. He is going from a class of 65 6th graders to a class of 400 7th graders, because our middle and high schools are from many townships, not just ours. I have a feeling he will only drift even further. Today when I mentioned he may not be playing sports in the fall because of his grades he seemed a little rattled. Is that all he cares about? Who cares, if it is I will use it, unfortunately I am not sure that will be enough motivation either.

I need advice, ideas, suggestions. What do I do now? School is out for the summer, should he still be on some type of restriction? Do I make him do academic work for me this summer? I just don't know, I am out of ideas. Help! Leave comments, email me, anything. Even criticism, if constructive.

On a proud note he won first place out of all 6th graders in his school for a safety poster contest. He drew a match stick that had legs, arm, and a flaming head that said in a word bubble, "Don't play with me I am dangerous." Also at the promotion ceremony last week, he won the Spanish award, there was only one given out for the whole 6th grade. I was proud, he looked shocked!