Very comprehensive post above. I would add from our kiddo’s perspective a couple of things we did not know and/or would have liked to have known.
- Many students at BS are “repeats” - we did not realize how many until we experienced Revisit Days at several schools - then later on upon attending BS. This is interesting on many levels and is worthy of its own thread. It’s not uncommon. Along with this, there is a large age range per class. Kiddo’s first year class had students who ranged in age from 13-16 years old. There are “repeats” who are also repeating courses in science and math - some international students - choosing to do this for grades or being very proficient. Some repeat for athletics, it seems. Some students whose families can afford to have them repeat, also. Not judging, just stating facts.
- There are some schools that seem to have more JBS students than others. We did not even know @ JBS. There seems to be a number of kids who attend JBS for athletics or to get a leg up for BS preparation.
- If you go decide to go to a “highly competitive” school, there will be competition - sometimes competition about things you didn’t even think there should be competitiveness about.