<p>Hi,
Our DD didn't get into her first choice school (wait-listed). She was accepted at others, and I was wondering if it is acceptable to attend for one year at her second choice school, and re-apply to her first choice from there. I'm sure boarding schools don't want to see their students leave within the first year, on the other hand, if we don't accept one of the private schools, we'll have to put her into the public high school and we don't think that would be the best option. </p>
<p>As it is, we got a lot of pressure from our current middle school. They run until 9th grade, and there were frequent remarks, from the staff, around her staying for 9th. Some children were even told that the teachers would not write them a good recommendation, beause they needed to stay through 9th. </p>
<p>So, will a boarding school write you a good recommendation for another boarding school, or will they be reluctant to support that?</p>
<p>Perhaps you’re looking too far into the future. It’s entirely possible your D could get to her #2 school and find she loves it, it’s a good fit, etc. I wouldn’t recommend her going in with the idea she’s going to transfer – she wouldn’t give the school a fair shot, and would be starting the whole application process as soon as she got there. </p>
<p>If you really don’t want her going anywhere other than her #1 choice, you could have her stay where she is through 9th grade and try again. BUT, of course, there are no guarantees then, either. Or, it could all work out this year, and she may get in off the wait list.</p>
<p>I can’t think of a much worse idea than going to one bs with the plan to transfer to another. You are not setting your d up for success and happiness with that approach. I think the bs would only support a change if your child turns out not to be capable of doing the work, or has personal/family issues, and needs a different environment.</p>
<p>Either send your d to the school she got into with the plan that she will stay there (unless she gets off the WL, but keep that to yourself), keep her where she is for another year and apply again, or send her to the public school, preferably with the plan that she will stay there. Don’t go into a relationship planning to get out of it. I don’t understand how she could apply to and get into several schools but now only the first choice school that she didn’t get into is good enough. Maybe the schools she got into are the right ones, or maybe staying where she is would be helpful.</p>
<p>How happy are you with the middle school, and where do they send the graduating 9th graders? Some independent schools which go to 9th grade have excellent records in secondary school placement. If so, I would absolutely keep her where she is now!</p>
<p>How can a BS give your child a good rec if they have only known your child for a very brief period of time? Not only could then not, for the reason of not knowing her, but why would they?</p>