<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>