Returning senior year

[Anonymous]

Has anyone stepped out of their independent school for junior year for family or other reasons and returned senior year to graduate with their original class? Thoughts on this?

[Anonymous]

It’s a dumb idea. Either stay for the last 2 years or move in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone stepped out of their independent school for junior year for family or other reasons and returned senior year to graduate with their original class? Thoughts on this?

Step back in. Lots of kids are out year here and there. Let your kid graduate with his/her class and spend senior year with friends.

[Anonymous]

I think this is one of those things that is completely case by case and dependent on the individual kid, the school, and the reason for the time away.

[Anonymous]

Why not? Some kids at my daughters school leave for their junior year to do School Year Abroad and then come back.

[Anonymous]

What does your daughter want to do? If she wants to go back and graduate from the private school and family circumstances have changed and this is a viable option, personally I would let her return for her senior year.

[Anonymous]

Yes, family moved junior year, child gave the new town's school a shot, and then returned as a boarding student for senior year. Best decision ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, family moved junior year, child gave the new town's school a shot, and then returned as a boarding student for senior year. Best decision ever.

^^ I will add that this was questioned in every college interview, but the reasons and response were prepared, thoughtful, and compelling. Think that through before making the change.

[Anonymous]

I did it. I had an amazing opportunity for a one year program, and I took it. My school was very accommodating and I jumped back in without any issues. It's a 6-12th grade school, though, so by the time I left in Junior year I had already been there five years, so had clearly built up a strong base academically and socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not? Some kids at my daughters school leave for their junior year to do School Year Abroad and then come back.

This is our plan too.

[Anonymous]

Is this ok with colleges? Do they see it as a sign of maturity?

[Anonymous]

A lot of the independent schools won't accept incoming students senior year.

[pbraverman]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of the independent schools won't accept incoming students senior year.

In my experience this is usually true of brand-new applicants, but situations can vary. For example:

A general policy against admitting seniors might be relaxed for an able senior who has just moved to the area.

Families in good standing who are considering a year off for a specific purpose (CityYear/CityTerm, study abroad, long-term family travel) would generally be allowed to return without incident, but it would obviously make sense to confirm with the school before making firm plans. As a PP noted, longevity at a school would make this decision even less dicey.

Families who leave in a maelstrom of anger and negativity because their sophomore wasn't in the right teacher's math class might not find their old school quite so welcoming.

Colleges are interested in a student's experiences as well as grades and test scores. As an alumni interviewer for my alma mater, I interviewed a girl from a high-profile DC school. She had taken a semester of junior year at City Term in New York and she showed uncommon self-reflection and mature perspective for a 17 year-old — largely, by her own reckoning, as a result of her time away. She was deferred from the Early Decision pool, but admitted in April.