<p>This is mostly a boarding school forum, although lots of parents have experience with high quality day schools. </p>
<p>Personally, I would be unhappy about paying out an extra 30k for repeating 9th grade unless it resolves a maturity issue that would produce a particular outcome you were seeking. For example, there is always a percentage of kids who repeat ninth grade because that one year difference improves their chances of being admitted to a top boarding school. In your case though, it sounds like the only reason for repeating 9th at his current school is because it would be easier socially. However, your son would still face a transition the following year to one of the local day schools and so it’s really just discomfort postponed, not avoided, and you’re 30k poorer. If, on the other hand, one of the four schools he didn’t get into would be amenable to admitting him for ninth (or tenth) grade if he had an extra year in his current situation, then maybe it would be worth it. Otherwise, I don’t see the point of staying.</p>