<p>A question for parents who had children enter as juniors...do these students also experience the initial drop in grades that freshman do? I am concerned about this because junior grades are the ones that universities look at most closely...yes?
Any experiences to share?
Thanks</p>
<p>Yes they do, but colleges know that the 11th grade year is not only the most difficult academically, it also provides the most difficult transition for new boarding school students. Based my daughter’s acceptances and those of her friends that also entered in the fall of 2007, not only do admissions committees take those factors into account, I think the junior entrant may be looked upon even more favorably. Those kids were successes in two different environments and showed a willingness to take a chance by stepping out of an established comfort zone, a desire to pursue the most strenuous academic opportunities, and the ability to adapt - all characteristics that colleges want in their students.</p>
<p>Thank you Padre13, that is very encouraging. Did you find it difficult to choose which courses your daughter should follow in Jr year given that she only had 2 years at BS? How did you decide?</p>
<p>Each case is unique, but I don’t think it is that complicated. That statement may be more definitive than justified because it is based on extensive experience with only one school, Andover, but I suspect the experience is similar at other boarding schools. </p>
<p>The advisor will review the academic record and let the student know what the requirements will be for the remaining two years. He/she will also recommend appropriate levels although both the student and the instructional departments will ultimately make the determination. </p>
<p>In some cases they may recommend a placement test to decide whether a requirement should be waived or a level adjusted. For instance, my daughter had already taken U.S. History, which is generally taught in the 11th grade at Andover. She tested out so she fulfilled her one year of on-campus history requirement by taking senior electives. Foreign language programs also seem to vary tremendously so that may be another area where a test or discussion with the department may be necessary.</p>
<p>The school may also offer one or more classes specifically for new students. Andover has a special English section for new uppers (11th grade) because their experience is that is the department where the teaching/learning styles and requirements most deviate from students’ experience. </p>
<p>In the end I think she found her BS to be more flexible in constructing an appropriate academic program than her prior public high school. She went to be challenged by advanced math and science courses and Andover offered not only a more extensive array of courses but also gave the students more leeway in deciding what to take and when. It’s certainly good preparation for college.</p>
<p>This year NMH had a raft of new juniors, part of evening out the class sizes due to the shrinkage from 1100 students to 600 a few years ago. Some were as large as houses, presumably athletic recruits, but many were kids (and parents) who figured out that the local public was not going to cut it. </p>
<p>Yes, most experienced the GPA drop due to adjustment and to the very different academic expectations of Prep school. Correct choice of level was tricky; sometimes adjustment needed to be made. A top-of-the-class honors student at the local public was swimming in a much frothier pool - and might need to scuttle to the regular or one step up type class. NMH has 6 flavors of chemistry for example; a new student coming in does not have access to the scuttlebutt on what all the levels mean. Luckily, those who attend school with block scheduling (three class in fall, three classes in spring) are past the bumps by January and can really shine in the Junior spring grades.</p>
<p>Don’t underestimate the value that colleges put on transcript rigor; what better exemplifies academic ambition then moving to a better school and showing an upward trending GPA. The total might not be as high, but one could spin a wonderful essay on why one wanted to go to a better school and have access to smarter peers.</p>