<p>Any Groton students, alums, parents - after reading the 'average age' thread, I realise just how young my D will be entering 9th. She will turn only 14 end of September and is physically very young looking. She cannot repeat 8th grade at her current private school.</p>
<p>Since we have some interest in Groton, would it make sense to apply as 8th for the fall? Does anyone know if the admissions is a bit easier for entering 8th versus 9th? I assume they have fewer applicants, but I am sure they must take a really small group so there is room to add at the 9th and 10 grade year. Are the 8th graders separated or integrated into the rest of the school? For example, is housing separate, or is it a narrower span (like II form-IV form)?</p>
<p>I have a million questions - I would love to pm someone with background at this school. I seem to recall a thread a while back with info - tried a search and cannot seem to locate it.</p>
<p>I answered my own question regarding dorms by re- reading the website.</p>
<p>However - I still can't get a feel from the website on how emphisised the arts are. I realise it is not an arts school, but are the courses offered legitimate, or just 'gut' courses to boost averages?</p>
<p>I think that Groton may actually request that if your daughter is accepted, that she enter in 8th grade if they feel that she's on the younger side. That happened to someone I know, but he was a little younger than your daughter at the time.
He decided not to attend Groton because he didn't want to go back into 8th grade (he was actually already in 9th grade).</p>
<p>I attend Groton and would be happy to answer any questions via pm</p>
<p>If you are saying that your D will turn 14 in September of the year she would normally be in 9th grade, I don't think she is exceptionally young for that grade. I wouldn't repeat a grade just because you think she will be on the younger side. </p>
<p>However, if you feel that there are other reasons to repeat a grade, that is fine -- there are many legitimate reasons to double up on 8th, 9th or even 10th grade.</p>
<p>I am a bit confused -- will your D be entering 9th grade this coming year, or 8th grade? Is she looking at applying for BS this coming year -- to enter in Fall '09?</p>
<p>I would hesitate to recommend anyone apply to Groton simply because they want to repeat 8th grade. Not that Groton isn't a great school --but selecting a school because they offer 8th grade isn't a great reason in my book.</p>
<p>hsmom-</p>
<p>I have waffled back and forth over the whole repeat vs. not repeat grade thing. She is young for the grade (just made the cutoff) and is really tiny and young looking. The school she is in is really not set up for a repeat 8th grade situation. The maturity (lack of) issue is there. I think. The problem is living in her brother's shadow (Exeter-bound) in a small private school has killed her self esteem. When he leaves, I expect her to blossom - I know she is ready. As to her current grade - don't laugh- she is entering 7th. The bs app process took such a long time with my S that I am starting really early with her to narrow down school choices and try and get a nice match. I was in the process of recycling my S's old lookbooks when the Groton one fell at my feet and opened to a page regarding 8th grade. Fate? Maybe. At least I have plenty of time to consider it if it seems like a good idea.
Choosing a school just for the 8th grade is not a great idea, I agree. But I may end up with a kid who can't stay but is not ready to go -and need options.<br>
As for Groton itself - my H has pretty much dismissed it as a viable choice. He was in an Ivy and knew a kid who had a nervous breakdown post Groton from sustained stress levels. That was the big, bad 80's - I am not dismissing (or choosing) any school based on one person's experience. In the end, I think the arts may not be enough (at G) and she will decide in favor of other small schools that emphasize that area.</p>
<p>It is great that you are starting the process early -- it really helps to have time on your side. If she is starting 7th this fall, she has 2 years before beginning BS and won't really get into the "real" part of applying for over a year.</p>
<p>As far as repeating -- I understand your thinking, but have you looked at the reverse? If she repeats, then she will be 15 at the beginning of 9th grade and particularly for a girl, that is fairly old. </p>
<p>My son will turn 15 this July, just before starting BS this fall -- he has always been the oldest in his grade/his sport/his activities, etc. He started kindergarten in Indiana, where the cut-off date to enter K was June 30th -- so it isn't because we held him back. It has been an issue for him -- he is not only bigger than his peers, but more mature with different interests. He has been volunteering with high school students and doing high school ECs for two years now -- he is just a better fit with those kids a grade ahead of him.</p>
<p>I think you might find that your D does just fine without repeating a grade -- she has two whole years to mature and girls are ahead to begin with. My gut feeling is that if she finds the right school that is a good fit for her, age won't be an issue.</p>