<p>Okay I'm a freshman and I'm thinking about repeating the ninth grade just to have more years at a prominent prep school,also I have very outstanding test scores,grades,comments,and I'm in numerous of extracurricular activities. So should I do another year of ninth grade?</p>
<p>If your family can and is happy to afford another year at BS, then yes absolutely. But don’t put more strain on your parents if otherwise :).</p>
<p>If it is not too financially tolling to your family, many colleges like to see an extra year of academic growth. If you are an athlete, it allows for growth in that aspect as well and that is the most prominent reason people repeat. However, you have to weigh the pros with the cons because if you are taking the highest classes possible (and you sound like a bright individual), then it may be in your best interest to just stay with 10th grade next year so that you are able to get along with college and other things in life. In my opinion, it seems to me like it would be more beneficial for you to go on to college (if this is your interest) because it is more challenging and enriching than prep school. I guess it comes down to whether you think you will be able to get into the college of your choice by the time you graduate or if you need that supplementary time to get use to living alone (if you are boarding), take high level classes and develop academically or develop your skills at a sport. You should look for a reason to spend the extra year at prep school, rather than say that spending more time at prep school is the reason. I hope this helps you make a decision!</p>
<p>I can not understand why a student who EXCELS in class, tests, etc would waste a year redoing what they have already done exceptionally well. When I was growing up, this “refreshing” as they call it now, was called “flunking.” Parents now insist it is because “He’s so young” or my favorite, “He’s so short.” Many I know are kids at the top of their class academically, socially, and athletically. Why not spend that time and money on college, a gap year, an exchange term–something that makes you stand out, rather than something that has to be explained?</p>
<p>All-- the repeat phenomena has been discussed on many threads. I didn’t understand it either, but the thread called “Repeat students-academic red shirting” helped. (Sorry, don’t know how to post hyperlink, but if you search the forum, it will come up.)</p>
<p>I think I posted copiously on one of those earlier threads, but no harm in doing it again. Both my kids repeated a year. One is an August birthday, the other is a September birthday. The older one repeated 10th grade when starting boarding school. The younger one repeated the 4 year old year in preschool. I just wish we had known enough to repeat the older one in preschool. It has absolutely nothing to do with academics, and everything to do with social comfort and confidence. Put another way, this isn’t about competitiveness, it’s about getting the pieces put in place properly, in order, thoroughly. If you are looking at your kid and thinking it might be a good idea, it probably is.</p>
<p>Unlike a red shirted athlete or a child who needs some adjustment time, Daren2556 sounds like someone expecting a first year coast, since his grades/sports/etc from ninth grade the previous year were already exceptional. I would worry that in this case, he would be the disruptive friend who “doesn’t need to study” and is always looking for fun (“you can do that later”), while his classmates are trying to adjust and learn the 9th grade material.</p>
<p>"Repeating the year - in some circles known as a “refresh” or “resoph,” depending on the grade - has become an increasingly accepted practice at private schools in the Northeast, especially boarding schools. At St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire, 22 percent of the freshman class have transferred in to repeat the year, as have 6 percent of sophomores. At Kent School, also in Connecticut, 11 percent of juniors are doing the same.</p>
<p>Traditionally, a small percentage of students have repeated a grade to allow them time to mature or to fill in subject gaps. Boys have done it much more than girls, often at the school’s bidding. Some students have taken an extra year just to improve in sports. But many of today’s repeaters are motivated by the intense competition for admission to elite colleges. They want to bolster already good academic transcripts with better grades, a richer roster of Advanced Placement courses and the extracurricular activities that colleges like to see, school officials say."
This is from a NYT article from 6 or 7 years ago. Not sure what the rates would be now.
I have only heard positive things from people whose children have had the gift of an extra year, and, yes, many of them were students who EXCELLED previously.
Going to a competitive boarding school is different than going to a local academically heterogeneous school (public or private). Teenagers mature so much with each year. I have heard contrary to what one may think college admissions officers look very positively on those students and parents who have had the maturity to look at the big picture (especially those that would be young for their class).</p>
<p>Here’s the link Choatie Mom mentioned:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1231415-repeat-students-academic-red-shirting.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1231415-repeat-students-academic-red-shirting.html</a></p>
<p>A ‘repeat’ year would only be looked at in the positive. Why rush? And if you have any plans at all with athletics, then it would be even more beneficial.</p>
<p>One big downside to “repeating” is the cost. It’s hard enough for many families to fund BS ahead of college. Now add on one more year of BS tuition…</p>
<p>There are lots of reasons why people make the repeating choice, clearly it could be debated for a hundred years or more.
However, in this particular case, you have a kid who has NO reason, other than wanting to spend an extra year in high school. An expensive whim, in my opinion, to spend an extra €50,000 for the heck of it.
Daren, be careful what you wish for–more high school is not something many people say they wish they had. College, however, is another story.</p>
<p>Also Daren, you are a freshman NOW? Are you just now thinking in Feb of 2012 about the possibility of repeating freshman year for the fall of 2012 to have more time at a prominent prep school? Are you already at the school? I am confused because at this point you can’t start an application for next fall in most cases. I also can’t see a great student walk into their advisory and say by the way, I had such an amazing year I have decided to repeat ninth again here.</p>
<p>It’s possible to be accepted by a school but asked to do a lower grade than applied. Highly uncommon, but it happens. Depending on the ‘prominent’ school OP has in mind, EVERYONE coming in could have great grades/quals/ECs.
An expensive whim? Most of the fullpays consider $50k chump change.
An alternative for the OP would be a gap year between high school and college. There’s no particular reason to rush into college, especially for boys (dunno if the OP is a boy or not).</p>
<p>Alex, I can promise you that nobody I know considers $50,000 “chump change.” That is a truly obnoxious statement. Successful people generally work very, very hard for what they have and sacrifice plenty, despite what the recent media would have you believe.</p>
<p>Huh? Where did that come from. I didn’t say anthing about successful people not working hard, didn’t deserve what they’ve earned, or sacrificed. I have buddies who own over $100 million just in their in their car collections; never would I suggest they didn’t earn it. My point is, for some families $50k is literally, pocket change.</p>
<p>I think KG is objecting to your flip statement:</p>
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<p>I bristle at the word “most”. How do you know this? Many families that pay full freight, ours included, do so very, very sacrificially. In our case, BS tuition takes everything we’ve got. You probably should have said “some” and no one would argue with you.</p>
<p>@alexwoofour- I think you must live in a different world than “most” of us, because I agree that “most” of us do not consider $50k chump change… even those of us who are fullpays.</p>
<p>The flip comment of “most” is EXACTLY what I am referring to. And “chump change.”<br>
I think I can safely say that “most” full pay families do not have 100 million dollar car collections. This isolated example in no way represents the average full pay family. Many of us have other children in private school, mortgages, home repairs, and basically just life, and it all adds up, fast. The tuition bill is not one we look forward to seeing in the mailbox, but education is an investment in our child’s future and a priority over a lot of other things.</p>
<p>Full pay applicant here clarifying that I definitely have never seen or owned a 100 million dollar car collection… I wish! :D</p>