How to stay positive? It looks like DS is going to his safety.
If he is wait listed, has he asked his guidence counselor to make “the call” on his behalf to sing his praises and to tell his favored (and most likely to accept him) school that he would take the offer if they extended one? With the backing of his high school behind that promise, along with a heart to heart between the guidence counselor and the school, that might get him off the wait list. At the same time, he should send an email to the school also promising to accept an offer if one is extended and reiterating his interest.
Is he a junior wanting to attend a year early? That could be entering the equation since they will not consider that aspect when evaluating his credentials so unless he has a lot more accomplishments than most juniors, that could have put him at a disadvantage.
I guess he is competitive given he is a junior for WL not rejection.
ahh so he did get into a school he wants. That is great.