My apologies for my wording, I’ll attempt to clarify. Shining is indeed going to be attending the Royal Guard Academy in the future. However you are correct that currently he is much to small to be around the other ponies of the academy. They’re older and larger then him and he could possibly get injured. However throughout Canterlot there are a myriad of programs that young ponies can attend in order to explore their cutie marks further. Much like magic kindergarten Shining is currently attending the Junior Guard classes. Twilight and I stopped by after our visit to the library to help the class out with their damsel in distress training. Unfortunately for Twilight, she didn’t bring a book into the tower and the waiting for rescue made her a bit cranky.