<p>For some personal reasons which I can't specify, my brother is heading to boarding school next year as a repeat freshman, which makes him 2 years older than most of his peers since he already attended 1st grade a year late. He's not quite comfortable with the idea, so he's wondering if it is possible to skip a grade at a boarding school. He does expect the workload at boarding school to be rigorous, but he also thinks that he is able to handle the sophmore workload. For those of you who've are knowledgeable/experienced about boarding school, what do you think of this? Do you think boarding school is hard already so skipping a grade will make the experience unbearingly grueling? ANY comment is appreciated.</p>
<p>Often, it’s not the work so much that throws kids off; but everything else.</p>
<p>But I don’t quite understand. He already has a space for next year? Why not just apply as a sophomore? By the way, he probably won’t be 2 years older than most of his peers. Many boys repeat 9th grade. He probably wouldn’t even be the only double repeater.</p>
<p>Most serious athletes will repeat a grade, sometimes two. He won’t be alone. What’s the rush to be in college anyway; high school is usually so much more fun. His age might only matter if he’s an athlete at an ISL school.</p>
<p>I don’t have any personal observations, but I doubt skipping grade is allowed by the school, regardless whether the student can handle or not. The reasons are:
1.when you comes in as a lower grade, you are accepted at the standard for that grade. Different grade group has different standards. Just like day student and boarders, many times you cannot switch to from one group (easier to get in) the other group after you are in.
2. when you rush, by skipping a grade, your academic record (course selection, not necessarily the grades) would look weak. if will affect your college application.<br>
3. The school doesn’t want to loose a year of tuition from you.</p>
<p>Two friends from college are Exeter grads who completed dual degrees (one was in the M&T program - Engineering and Wharton) at Penn at year quicker than is normal.</p>
<p>Neither of them was skipped a year at Exeter. If they were not, I can’t imagine anyone would be. And regardless, as a parent, I think it’s a semi-ridiculous thing to even consider before he is even a matriculated BS student.</p>
<p>I think it is important to have the complete 4-year experience at bs if possible. He will be able to become more involved in activities and develop relationships with teachers which will be important when it is time to ask for college recommendations. His situation is not uncommon in bs. Many freshmen are “repeats” and many districts have a readiness year in first grade. He won’t be the “old guy” and he definitely won’t run out of rigorous courses to take.</p>
<p>The idea of “skipping” happens at schools were the curriculum is fixed based on grade level - most commonly at public schools. At boarding school you stay in your “grade” and take the classes at the level that fits your need. So students who need more rigorous coursework get it, those who need a slower pace take a different class. You are still required to take the “number” of classes specified for the year you enter. I.e. four years of math (regardless of level) if you enter at 9th grade, 4 years of English, etc.</p>
<p>My oldest, for instance, took AP Latin in 10th grade and was the youngest person in the class. She had to scramble to fulfill her language requirement since she entered 9th grade ahead of the existing student body. They didn’t “waive” the requirements (in terms of quantity of classes) just because she had previous experience in the subject.</p>
<p>You have a legitimate question but it reminds me of some students who apply to MIT and other top tier schools thinking their high school AP courses will allow them to shorten their years on campus.</p>
<p>Nope - not going to happen.</p>