<p>At our pre-prep, I haven’t noticed a difference between 8th and 9th grade outcomes at graduation. If anything, the ninth graders are slightly (very slightly) more likely to attend the really big name boarding schools. </p>
<p>If he was accepted at two schools, but waitlisted at four, reapplying next year might bring better results. Has he had the big growth spurt yet? Many boys change radically when puberty really gets going. The waitlists might reflect concern on the part of Admissions Officers that he’s “young for his age.” If he’s academically outstanding, then that would seem to be a possible factor. (I don’t know your son. Forgive me if I’m off base.)</p>
<p>Repeating when going from ninth grade to a new school is an option, but it isn’t obligatory. If he strongly wants to stay at his current school, allowing him to stay and mature isn’t a bad thing, is it?</p>