Anonymous
01/05/2026 22:03
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Anonymous wrote:I have very bright and athletic girls with October birthdays and I am so glad they are some of the oldest in their classes, I would absolutely redshirt any August birthday. It's a huge advantage socially and developmentally when they get older, particularly in middle and high school.
+1
Anonymous
01/05/2026 22:02
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You’re applying for admission to a particular class. You won’t be considered for admission to other classes.
+1
I don't believe this is true across the board. I have heard of several kids from different "Big 5" schools with summer birthdays that were asked to reclass after applying by the schools. In most cases, I think it was before decisions were issued.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 18:00
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Our private often requires this for August birthdays even at latter entry points, so it wouldn’t hurt a candidate. But agree with others that they will only consider her for the grade she is actually applying, so yes, you would need to discuss with them. The sooner the better.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 16:13
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
I have very bright and athletic girls with October birthdays and I am so glad they are some of the oldest in their classes, I would absolutely redshirt any August birthday. It's a huge advantage socially and developmentally when they get older, particularly in middle and high school.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 16:01
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
I would tell them. I would also redshirt an August birthday.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:59
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
In terms of executive functioning, we do think she could benefit from being held a year. And my sense is that being a grade below at the schools she is considering would still be better academically than staying on track at her current school. We're just worried she won't get in anywhere since it's not an entry year and each place may take 1-3 kids.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:58
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Anonymous wrote:DD has an August birthday. She is not redshirted and has applied to privates to enter with her current class. But the grade she should be entering in fall 2026 is one grade ABOVE a major entry point at most schools.
We have not discussed this with any schools, but we are open to her repeating a year if the school thinks it suits her better and it means getting accepted. But in an ideal world she would stay with her class, since she is above grade level on all academic metrics. Socially, she is slightly immature so could go either way.
So my question is this: if we reveal to schools that we are open to repeating, will they push for that (automatically default her into that grade, regardless whether she would have gotten into the one to which she is currently applying) since there is more space in those grades, it helps their numbers, etc.? In other words, can we trust them to be honest with us as to whether they think she is a better fit to stay with her current class or repeat a grade? Thanks.
Unless this is K versus 1st, i don't think it will help. There are more than plenty of highly qualified entry year kids competing for the grade and the school is unlikely undersubscribed. Why on earth they will take your DD versus another highly qualified current grader? Why does repeating a grade good for the school? If it is only for increasing your chances at admission, you can ask the admission officer directly. If they think it helps with the odd, you can consider. I remember there is a field asking if a child repeated a grade and a reason for it. I suppose being sick, studying abroad, are legit reasons, but not being born August and to increase admission odds.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:52
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Why would you do that to her?
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:50
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Anonymous wrote:You’re applying for admission to a particular class. You won’t be considered for admission to other classes.
+1
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:47
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
You’re applying for admission to a particular class. You won’t be considered for admission to other classes.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:42
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
DD transferred boarding schools after 11th. She moved to a more rigorous school. She was admitted as a rising 11th grader. One we started to pick her classes and figure out where the gaps were, it made sense to discuss reclassing as a 10th grader. School was open to it. We ended up having a meeting with the chairs of the depts and admissions. They gave her placement exams and told her she was ready for 11th.
She struggled a bit in 11th and had to take a class in summer school. She ended up at her first choice college and is thriving.
So in our case, she was admitted to the correct grade, and I drove the discussion about reclassing, but in the end she stayed where she was admitted.
She struggled a bit in 11th and had to take a class in summer school. She ended up at her first choice college and is thriving.
So in our case, she was admitted to the correct grade, and I drove the discussion about reclassing, but in the end she stayed where she was admitted.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:31
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Interesting. Current teachers say she is in the correct grade. I guess what I mean is, if these schools are only taking a couple of kids for her grade but 10-14 kids for the grade below, should we let the school know NOW that we are amenable to her repeating? Another option would be to wait to see if she is waitlisted and then let them know.
My worry is that if we tell them now, they'll automatically shift her into the pool for the grade below, regardless whether she could have gotten into her current grade.
By "helps their numbers," I have read on DCUM over the years that some privates prefer redshirted or fall birthday kids because it helps their standardized testing numbers. No idea if that is true.
My worry is that if we tell them now, they'll automatically shift her into the pool for the grade below, regardless whether she could have gotten into her current grade.
By "helps their numbers," I have read on DCUM over the years that some privates prefer redshirted or fall birthday kids because it helps their standardized testing numbers. No idea if that is true.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:23
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
If she’s not struggling don’t do this.
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:15
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
Not sure what you mean by "helps their numbers." If you said you wanted to repeat a grade I think that would likely be a disadvantage rather than an advantage. They may think that you consider your child to be academically behind. I'm also not sure why you think a school that doesn't know your kid at all could best evaluate whether she should repeat a grade. What does her current school say?
Anonymous
01/05/2026 15:00
Subject: If we reveal we are considering repeating DD, will privates push for that?
DD has an August birthday. She is not redshirted and has applied to privates to enter with her current class. But the grade she should be entering in fall 2026 is one grade ABOVE a major entry point at most schools.
We have not discussed this with any schools, but we are open to her repeating a year if the school thinks it suits her better and it means getting accepted. But in an ideal world she would stay with her class, since she is above grade level on all academic metrics. Socially, she is slightly immature so could go either way.
So my question is this: if we reveal to schools that we are open to repeating, will they push for that (automatically default her into that grade, regardless whether she would have gotten into the one to which she is currently applying) since there is more space in those grades, it helps their numbers, etc.? In other words, can we trust them to be honest with us as to whether they think she is a better fit to stay with her current class or repeat a grade? Thanks.
We have not discussed this with any schools, but we are open to her repeating a year if the school thinks it suits her better and it means getting accepted. But in an ideal world she would stay with her class, since she is above grade level on all academic metrics. Socially, she is slightly immature so could go either way.
So my question is this: if we reveal to schools that we are open to repeating, will they push for that (automatically default her into that grade, regardless whether she would have gotten into the one to which she is currently applying) since there is more space in those grades, it helps their numbers, etc.? In other words, can we trust them to be honest with us as to whether they think she is a better fit to stay with her current class or repeat a grade? Thanks.