<p>My youngest brother, 10 yr. old in fifth grade, wants to also apply to boarding school next year with his big sister (7th grader, currently applying to YES for PREP) . I've looked up some schools, outside my short list, that are close to us in the Midwest and admit both 7 and 9th graders, which include-</p>
<p>Perkiomen</p>
<p>Andrews Osborne Academy</p>
<p>The King's Academy (Christian family)</p>
<p>I'm debating three solutions- 1. Allow DB to apply next year and encourage him to bring his grades up. This brings up the issue of 'sticker shock' from tuition, app. and SSAT fees, and misc. fees.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Wait until he gets into 7th grade and have him apply for 8th grade when I'm all settled.</p></li>
<li><p>Just have him wait till ninth and introduce him into my current school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I have a feeling that your 10 year old brother is more interested in following in his big sister’s footsteps than in going to boarding school. Take that as a compliment! It sounds like he will miss you! But don’t take his professed desire to go away too seriously at this point. In addition, your parents probably have very strong opinions on the matter.</p>
<p>If you are a promising candidate, I would not limit your prospective schools to only those which offer junior prep, just to accommodate your younger brother.</p>
<p>Again, if you are a promising candidate, I also would not limit yourself to schools on the basis of proximity and would also take a look at some “reach” schools. The “reach” schools which participate in YESforPREP can offer generous financial aid to the extent of even funding travel and clothing. These schools are very committed to recruiting students from underrepresented backgrounds.</p>
<p>If your little brother also wants to go to boarding school, his opportunity will come in time.</p>
<p>Thank you all. But @GMT, what’s your experience with Y for P? And I said in the post that these schools were on a seperate list. My short list includes a couple Massachusetts, Florida, and Mid-Atlantic schools that are solely 9-12</p>
<p>You need to know why he wants to attend boarding school, and if it is for the “right” reasons. If your parents are willing to send him, he should apply to schools independently - your options should not be limited based on his needs. If you get into a school for 9-12, he can’t go with you, and you will know right away if it was a matter of being interested in boarding school, or in following you. If he is interested for the sake of the education he could get, and wants to attend one of those closer schools without you, that’s a different story - but it would still be reasonable for your parents to tell him to wait. He’s lucky to have an older sister willing to make sacrifices for him, and who is not upset that he might be given the opportunity at an earlier age, but you need to look at your own needs first. It is your parents responsibility to determine the needs of the family as a unit, and to balance them with your needs.</p>
<p>We chose to send our youngest D to a local magnet school, and our middle D was initially upset, because we hadn’t had her apply when she was younger - but circumstances had changed, and we made what we felt was the best choice for each individually. Let your parents do the same.</p>
<p>Incidentally, if he really wants to attend boarding school, he needs to do the research, not you.</p>
<p>At my S’s b.s. (a very selective & well-endowed school) I have met some students from underrepresented backgrounds who have been recruited via outreach programs—I do not know which particular program. I have looked at the YES list of participating b.s. and see several very generously endowed schools. </p>
<p>Since you are planning to apply during the next admissions cycle, not this one, you are fortunate to have ample time for further research. </p>
<p>I cannot tell you where you should apply. I only advise that it is prudent not to limit your options so early on in the process.</p>