I think gap years are always a good thing. The problem is once a student has left the private or LPS, the way the application is set up, it’s near impossible for some students to get a college counselor or guidance counselor rec letter which is often required.
Once graduated, the student is no longer the high school’s responsibility. All would be well if only the application for gap year students could be different with no expectation other than a transcript is needed from the high school.