I have posted a few times before about S22. I hope someone can offer some advice on a PG year for him. He is flying under the radar at public school… not doing so poorly as to garner attention, but not putting in much effort, either. He has a 3.38 weighted and without extracurriculars, his unweighted is probably around a 3.0. He wants to go to college, but I’m concerned he doesn’t have the skills (organization, focus, writing) to succeed. I have implored him to consider a re-class for his junior year but he absolutely won’t leave his public school.
ALSO, he is an outstanding soccer goalie and wants to continue playing. I’m guessing any coach would love to have him on their team. He will probably be 6’4” by Fall 2022. He isn’t convinced, however, that he wants to play in college. (I hope he changes his mind on that, but we’ll see.)
Would a PG year be valuable and worthwhile for an additional year of academic maturity — not so much fur soccer, although he will play and can play at a high level? I don’t care if he goes to a top college (I know that ship has sailed haha), I just want him to have the tools to succeed and I don’t see that he’s headed in that direction. The schools I’m looking at are $60k+, so I want some assurance that they will help him learn how to write a solid paper, approach teachers for help, think critically and participate in discussions. Is the eight short months he’ll spend there really going to help him academically or is it simply intended to assist with recruiting and get more film, and then the jocks just goof off in the classroom… I don’t know! Help!
Which prep schools are under consideration ?
Have considered Cushing, Cheshire, Avon, Berkshire, Williston, South Kent. Assuming he will need a school with a high acceptance rate… but I am not sure how competitive PG is. I know he would NOT enjoy a school with an uber competitive academic atmosphere. Open to any other thoughts or suggestions.
I am not familiar enough with your list of schools to offer any insights.
Some, maybe all, prep boarding schools which accept PGs offer several courses open to only PGs.
Naming the schools under consideration may help to generate comments from those with direct experience with those schools.
Consider Lawrenceville in New Jersey. Blair Academy–country club feel–is also in New Jersey. Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania might be of interest (lots of sports, performing arts, and solid college prep academics but lacks the spectacular Fall scenery found in New England).
P.S. Great question with respect to whether admission standards are relaxed for PG applicants to the super elite prep boarding schools such as Andover, Exeter, Deerfield Academy, etc. My impression is that they are–especially for athletes–but to what extent ?
Does anyone know if the PG courses are rigorous? I don’t know if generalizations can be made about them or if it depends on the school. I really want him to get something out of this experience and not be unchallenged. We’ve had enough of that. ? Thanks for the suggestions, Publisher.
I know dozens of PGs–just none from the schools on your list–and the courses designed for PGs were excellent. Almost all were headed to the US Naval Academy, an Ivy League school, Notre Dame or a selective LAC.
Consider asking the schools under consideration where the most recent PGs enrolled for college.
P.S. I think the the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey may be of interest to you–but the allure of New England in the Autumn is hard to ignore.
Berkshire and South Kent are soccer powerhouses. The others not so much. Berkshire much more academic than South Kent. Why not also consider the Salisbury School? Soccer is not so great but the school might be a good fit.
I believe PGs take courses that seniors and juniors take, there isn’t a special"PG track".
Thanks Cinnamon. We did talk to one of the schools on the list and the AO mentioned that PGs take three special classes, only for post grads. Maybe not at every school, though. I will definitely look at Salisbury. I like the idea of an all-boys school.
PGs definitely have special courses at many schools, but maybe not at all.
One thing to consider for a PG.
If they are the kind of kid that’s already tasted a lot of freedom (driving, staying out late, etc) how will they respond to the structure of boarding school? Also, I noticed a couple of all boys schools on your list. I’m assuming he’s in a co-ed public school right now. How does he feel about all boys?
He hasn’t had a romantic interest yet… Maybe this will hold him off until college? Hahahahaha
Berkshire. 
Really great soccer and they hold the PGs to the same high academic standards as the other students.
I would suspect that unless your son himself wants to do the PG year, there’s a good chance you’ll end up wasting $65,000 if you somehow make him sign up anyway. I would make sure he’s on board before you make any financial commitment. If he’s 18, it’s his life. He has to want to go.
Ameridad… totally agree. He does seem to favor younger kids and physically, he’s a late bloomer. But point taken that he needs to be open to the opportunity.
Salisbury and Loomis have PG programs you should look at.
Did your son pursue a PG year?
No, we are not pursuing. My research has indicated that once the college apps are mailed off, it’s Senior Slump time (part deux for a PG student). He’s made it clear he’s not interested right now in pursuing sports in college, so there’s no reason to push that with him for a PG year. He can take music lessons locally and online classes at Berklee for a fraction of the cost of boarding school to stay busy and follow his passion during a gap year. So, essentially too expensive for not enough payoff. He will either go off to college only partially mature and we’ll cross our fingers, or take a year off to grow up. But this kid isn’t getting into any elites (especially without soccer) and we’re all ok with that. It’s where he belongs and I’m holding out hope he’ll have that lightbulb moment sooner rather than later!