How Can I Best Help My Son?

My 8-year old son Deacon is struggling big-time.  We moved from Texas about 2 and 1/2 months ago, so he started this school year in Bossier City.  I can not emphasize enough the drastic jump in academic difficulty he has experienced.  At this point, not only are we looking at the possibility of repeating the 3rd grade - I am worried about his self esteem.  He is always hearing how he doesn't measure up from his teachers, and to try and catch him up - we have to ride him pretty hard at home as well.

I know his teachers are concerned with his education.  That's their job.  I am concerned with his education and his emotional well being.  That's my job.

The bottom line is, he is an awesome kid and deserves to feel like an awesome kid.  How can I help him succeed in school, and make him feel like success in life at the same time?