<p>Any thoughts from current bs students on the experience starting as a ninth grader vs waiting to enter as a sophomore?</p>
<p>I am not a student, but the parent of two bs students. One graduated 5 years ago and his younger brother is there as a repeat freshman (he completed his first freshman year at public school). It was not really our intention, but a series of events, among them a torn ACL, as well as concerns about our readiness to let him go (baby of the family), and fa issues, were behind this decision. It turns out that it is an excellent decision and his older brother was very much behind it, saying that if he it to do over again, he would have wanted to be a year older when he entered bs. Of course, every child is different, but that is our perspective.</p>
<p>Thanks for your perspective. Exactly what we are facing with our oldest looking at starting his 9th grade year. I have bs friends that suggest a later start but am interested in hearing from kids on the initial reaction to starting earlier rather than later.....</p>
<p>There is also then the discussion of repeating 9th grade vs entering as a 10th grader. We have chosen to apply as a 10th grader (after determining last year, that our son needed to stay where he is for 9th grade). He is mature - both physically and socally - for his age, and not one admissions person asked us if we would consider having him repeat 9th. They all commented on his maturity.<br>
We asked at all the schools about how it is to come in as a 10th grader (several of our tour guides had come in as 10th graders) and most add a 25-30% of the total class in 10th grade so that socially it works well. </p>
<p>We decided that if he needs another year athletically or academically for college, that he would do the year on the other end as a PG - it would work better for him. </p>
<p>I'm sorry that I too can't help you with the starting earlier.</p>
<p>I don't know if I can get either of my son's to post, but I will ask them. Neither of them are big on message boards.</p>
<p>We did tours when my son was in 8th grade. I always asked the tour guide whether or not s/he recommended starting in 10th grade or 9th grade. Everyone recommended 9th grade because it was easier socially and academically. I'm sure that every year new 10th graders enter smoothly. Anyway, my son entered as a new 9th grader. </p>
<p>Sometimes I wonder if the traditions & annual events at his 440 student school will start to get boring after a few years. So far so good. I think this is one of the reasons 12th graders are given many leadership opportunities, so that they can experience the same event but from a different perspective. </p>
<p>My son was ready to start boarding school and has not regretted his decision. If your son is hesitant, you might want to consider a 10th grade start. Some schools will allow accepted students to visit for a day and night if it will help that student decide whether or not the school is right. If your son son is unsure, you might consider this possibility.</p>
<p>I'm applying for sophomore year. At my current school I have already adjusted to the academics, so if I end up going to BS next year the only adjustment will be the social aspect and a bit of classes (not as much of a change as if I came from my super easy middle school)</p>
<p>Going to my high school for a year has also given me the chance to make an educated choice about what sort of school I want to go to for the next 3 years. You could end up loving your other school choice, but would never know it entering freshmen year. It's all about what is right for you, and it's hard to know what that is if you don't have the right knowledge about the choices. Boarding school is not the be all end all of education</p>
<p>I was a new 10th grader and had no problem making the transition. Most schools add a good portion of their students in 10th grade, so there aren't many problems socially. At my school, freshman have more classes, requirements, and lights out, so I'm glad that I got to skip those. Entering as a freshman gives you some more adjustment time academically and socially, but I don't feel I was hurt in entering a year late.</p>