You really need to speak to your DD and understand why she wants to repeat a grade if you feel her grades are fine. Did something happen socially that is really bothering her that she is not telling you?

At the very least I would let her take a look around at the other schools and go through the process. She may change her mind once seeing some other places and realize that maybe there are other factors resulting in her unhappiness. However, she could truly discover that she fits better in another environment. If she's truly that unhappy (and it sounds like she is...) then being open to the possibility of changing is what you need to do for her.

I know someone whose daughter changed at that age and also repeated a grade (went from all-girls to co-ed) and she couldn't be happier. The mother indicated it was the best decision they ever made for her. Nothing bad about the previous school - it's just that the new one is a better fit. You may find the same with your DD. Good luck!

I would honor your daughter's wishes and feelings. Most teenagers don't ask to repeat a grade, so if she's asking to not only switch schools, but also repeat 10th, it sounds like something she must really feel she needs. Being young for your grade at that age can be very tough socially. Best wishes to your DD.

Many kids switch for HS and it is pretty standard. That is, not expected, but not outlier either. It is why it is harder to get in at grade 9 even though it is an expansion year. Yes some go from public to private but many more go from private to private and not all from k-8 to HS. Kids change a lot in middle and needs change. It's one of the reasons some choose K-8 in the first place.

16:39 here. I’d try to let her do it if you can swing it. 11th grade is typically the toughest year academically so switching in 10th would be better, although she may be potentially taking a lot of the classes the 11th graders will be taking. I feel for your DD. She must really be unhappy to want to change schools and repeat a grade. Was she at the school in MS? Best of luck to her.

OP here. Would mean switching in 11th grade or repeating 10th. DD is young for her grade, so she wants to repeat. Of course, I don't want to pay for an extra year. To me, she seems on par with her classmates socially and academically.

My DD switched from a PK-12 school after 8th to another PK-12 school. She initiated the discussion and described it as for social reasons only. I also, think the previous school emphasized sports too much for her and also there was huge favoritism toward a certain subset of kids by the teachers and it got old. I know it got old with me. Also, her class’ girls where very cliquey, so I’m sure that added to it. My DH was against it, but I was for it if it was what she wanted and was happy she mentioned it early enough to make it happen. It has worked out great for her! I so glad she did it. The only negative was that our younger DCs who stayed, were treated not so nice by some of the teachers after we switched, but the teacher’s behavior stayed in line with the obvious favoritism. Another benefit was I felt more comfortable when DD went to college because she had the experience of attending a new HS. I recommend it. We ended up switching the other two after 8th grade and it’s been great for them too.

For high school, or already in HS and switching for 10th or 11th? My DD did this between 8th and 9th, at her instigation, from one top private to another, academically really no difference and the reasons were social and athletic, in these small schools, the atmosphere in a particular class can be a good fit or not. It was a very good move for her, and not difficult at all, and I know of other kids her year and other years that went in the same direction or in reverse, the schools seem completely open to it, and did not manufacturer any barriers. I know of kids that have done it between 9th and 10th as well, after that I think it is more difficult and probably not as good an idea, since will need ongoing relationships with teachers, college counselors to navigate the college process, and also leadership positions in extracurriculars, which will be perhaps more difficult to obtain if suddenly in a new school for 11th grade.
If your kid wants to do this, and can explain why in a coherent manner, and persists in the idea, then you should support it. 11th and 12th grade are stressful enough without adding social unhappiness to the mix. Can also explore this in the fall and won't need to make a decision until March or April, who knows, maybe all will be better and he won't want to leave in the end, but in the meantime, try to be supportive.

What grade? In hs doesn't matter jf you like the school. If your child isn't happy, thst's what matters. And yes kids do switch, even in 10th grsde.

DD keeps talking about changing schools in HS, from one good private to any one of a number of other good DC privates. I am not in favor of this as I love current school and think DD's motivation is mostly for social reasons, but trying to stay open to idea.. How hard is this to do? How does it look on college application?
Anyone else's DC do this?