<p>Our DC also had a bracing first year away that included a D level grade–for the entire year. It was a tough transition at times and he did not get along with his roommate at all, either. 2 years later and school is more “Home” than home (sniff), he has a good core group of friends and has had some incredible experiences, and he’s also encountered the “shadow” sides of boarding school and happily is making good choices. His grades are honors level, though still not what he was used to in middle school. He smokes the standardized tests–got a 5 on his AP at the end of sophomore year and did well on PSATs. I trust it will all work out, freshman D not withstanding. And the experience of seeing how hard his classmates apply themselves has been more of a motivation than anything else we could have provided.</p>