Not trying to hate, but people at some of the other schools would argue its just a branding gimmick. But it works.
My kid is at another school and her math class has 8 kids in it. Her experience of math is probably not dissimilar to what her math class would be at Exeter.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is whether you can have the school guidance or secondary school counselors address your seventh grade hiccup. My sense is that they are pretty engaged over there. I also suspect you have good essay content.
Are you in the Vanguard Program?
Let us know what other schools you are considering.