Lots of schools almost double their sophomore class
Did any of you 10th grade applicants express a desire to be considered acceptance into the 9th grade (or whatever said school calls it)? I would imagine that would help your chances. A good many (I would venture a guess that at my DD’s school its 20 or 30%) students repeat a year. And in my limited experience, it seems most of the day and junior boarding school students that go through 9th grade repeat at BS.
I just read on Andover’s website that it accepts 85 new sophomores; @MAandMEmom I really don’t want to repeat 9th grade because I’m old for a 9th grader (not because of any setbacks or anything).
@applier1 “old” for a 9th grader in public schools us different than for BS, because as @MAandMEmom says, many kids repeat 9th and therefore, the 14 yr old 9th grader is a minority.
I was asked if I was considering repeating 9th (I turn fifteen only just before 10th grade starts) but I’m only just applying for 10th. I wasn’t really into the idea of repeating a year (which also would mean an extra year of tuition fees!) and I guess I believe I’m mature enough to handle it (fingers crossed 
)
@applier1 You’re right about the exhaustion from waiting for decisions. I keep thinking about March 10th, but I’m trying to remain positive and focus on school. Hopefully we’ll all have good news on this thread in March!
@TATS1234 I got a 96% and 2292 overall on the December SSAT. I took it for the first time in November and got an 86%, so taking it again, I believe, most definitely helps. I applied to Exeter, Lawrenceville, Choate, Taft, Loomis Chaffee, and Fountain Valley School.
Thanks @Cristiano07. That gives me hope. 
@TATS1234 My pleasure! Feel free to contact me if you need any advice or help throughout any of the application process! Best of luck!
DC, who is a 14 y/o 9th grader, had the impression that most other 9th graders were also 14.
My D.C. Is a 14 yo freshman but has always ben 1-2 years behind his class in age…even at LDS. Funny, though, because he hangs out with V and VI formers…I wonder how much is a difference between being a girl vs boy, @CaliPops
My DS had friends ranging from 12/13-16 in 9th grade, but the vast majority were 14/15. The age spread makes a big difference in some areas outside of the classroom.
SwimKid’s grade ranges from 13-16 for freshman. Majority seem to be old 14’s-15’s.
Does this mean schools will not normally admit 14 y/o freshmen?
They will admit 14 y/o freshmen. My kid was 13 when he started school and turned 14 during his freshman year.
@FunintheSun1211 , there are no hard and fast rules about this BUT there are some schools that recognize that a kid on the young side may have challenges, generally outside the classroom, in their school community that could make the experience a bad one, especiallyif they normally admit older kids.
My kid was recently 14 at the beginning of his freshman year and I suspect that the schools that rejected him would have done so if he were 15. – the problem was fit, not age. This is definitely a YMMV issue based on your kid snd the target schools.
Hey! Not a 10th grader applying but applying to be a rising 11th grader! I am already in 11th grade, but looking to repeat a year (as I skipped two grades). I am sure you guys will do great! I wouldn’t worry about being too young, I will be as young as all of you, and applying to be an 11th grader! You all (I had to fight the urge to type y’all lol) seem like very mature and capable people!
@RTDAde NEVER suppress the y’all!!! DS not only makes sure he says y’all up there in Boston, but he now says it with two syllables!!! :))
Boarding school requires a certain level of maturity and independence to navigate successfully. Some kids have it at 13, some don’t have it at 16. I believe readiness-for-this-ride is part of the reason for in-person interviews. The schools want to get a sense of the applicant’s ability to handle challenge regardless of nominal age.
In our experience, age is relative. Our youngest will graduate PEA at 16. It didn’t seem to play a role in admissions or academic success.