91����

The "gap year" is more popular than ever, with thousands of students taking an interim year between high school and college to pursue a passion, do meaningful volunteer work, or explore a new culture. However, some students feel that an academic gap year is the best way to spend the year. They know that an academic year will help them improve their grades and standardized test performance, experience structured independence, and develop stronger study and writing skills.

For many of these students, a "post-graduate year" at a boarding school is a wonderful option. According to current 2026 data from 91���� Review’s PG school listings, more than 1,400 students are currently enrolled as “PG” students at boarding schools in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The PGs have graduated from their local high school and come to boarding school to join the senior class and become part of the tight-knit PG community on campus. These popular members of the school community are able to participate in varsity athletics and extracurricular activities and have access to the school's college admissions counselors.

In recent years, the PG year has also become more attractive because of increasing college admissions competition and concerns about college readiness. According to the , first-year college retention and academic preparedness remain major concerns for universities nationwide, leading many families to seek transitional academic programs that provide additional structure before college enrollment.

PG Programs Are Varied in Terms

. . .read more

5 Reasons to Choose a Junior 91����

Boarding schools come in two flavors: boarding schools and junior boarding schools.

Selecting the right educational path for your child is a decision that shapes their future. Junior boarding schools provide students with a strong academic foundation, a structured residential experience, and a supportive community—all designed to prepare them for higher-level education and lifelong success. Whether you're considering boarding school for its academic rigor, personal development opportunities, or specialized programs, this article dives into five key reasons why a junior boarding school might be the perfect fit.

• Boarding schools usually offer 9th grade through 12th grade.
• Junior boarding schools are residential schools that offer 9th grade and lower.
• Most junior boarding schools cover 6th grade through 9th grade.
• A few schools take boarders beginning as early as the 3rd grade.
• The lists ten schools as members.

They offer accelerated learning.

Probably the most compelling reason to send your child to a junior boarding school is to jump-start his academics.

• Having experienced, credentialled teachers in middle school is a huge plus for impressionable adolescents.
• If your son is passionate about math and science, he will have the opportunity to give wings to that passion.
• That's what a junior boarding school can do awfully well.

Junior boarding school students discover that despite all the pressures of adolescence, it is cool to be smart.

• Learning is challenging and stimulating, and always full of discovery.
• Your son

Most American families thinking about boarding school tend to stick to schools located within the United States. But, depending on your circumstances and inclinations, you might want to think about Canadian boarding schools. Here are five reasons why.

Canada's boarding schools have quietly built strong reputations among families seeking rigorous academics, diverse student populations, and access to some of North America's most beautiful landscapes. While many U.S. families automatically focus their boarding school search domestically, Canada's schools offer a compelling alternative that combines familiar educational standards with the benefits of an international experience.

For students interested in broadening their perspectives without traveling halfway around the world, a Canadian boarding school can provide the ideal balance of independence, academic challenge, and cultural enrichment.

The foreign factor

Canada is not the U.S. It is a sovereign nation with a multi-ethnic population of approximately 41.5 million people. Most of the population resides along the U.S.-Canadian border. The three principal cities are Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Each has its own particular characteristics and attributes which you can discover as you explore their websites.

Canada is close to the United States. Most major Canadian cities are short flights from most American cities. So you don't have to fret about getting there quickly if something happens to your child. You do need to have proper identification both to enter Canada and, perhaps more importantly, to return home to the United States.

Canadians and Americans share much in common. The shops and restaurants are similar

"I can't find any rankings!" "Which is the best boarding school in Massachusetts?" Hardly a day goes by without somebody asking about the rankings of boarding schools. I know that you are trying to figure out how one boarding school compares with another so that you can choose the one which is best for your child. You probably even have tried looking for a site that ranks schools. Well, good luck! If you find one, let me know. There is no ranking system for boarding schools that I know of.

Try it yourself. Google "boarding school rankings" or "ranking boarding schools" and review the results. Yes, you will find several lists of "the best schools." However, what are the criteria used to select those schools? Maybe some of them are a good fit for your requirements. Maybe not. So, let's look at the reasons why this is the case.

1. Boarding schools are unique

This is the main reason why it is impossible to rank boarding schools. Each school is unique. Each school does its own thing. Schools are overseen and managed by trustees and faculty who have a particular point of view. For example, a Jesuit boarding school such as Georgetown Prep has a quite different approach to curriculum and teaching than The Putney School. Yes, as you look at schools, you can compare basic criteria such as the number of students, what they teach, and the sports programs they offer.

The broad strokes of

When Should I Go Off to 91����?

Does it matter when you go off to boarding school? What is the most common point of entry? Are there any advantages to entering 9th grade versus entering 10th grade? What about attending boarding school just for 11th grade or 12th grade? Does that make sense? Is it even possible? The answers to these questions depend on you and your circumstances.

10th Grade Entry and Academics

The most common entry point for American college prep boarding schools is 10th grade. That makes sense for many students because college preparatory studies usually cover a three-year cycle. Most schools follow the or AP program. This begins in 10th grade, as a rule, and ends in May of the senior year when students take the national AP examinations. The AP courses vary from school to school, so be sure to scrutinize the academic curricula carefully as you search for the right boarding school for your child. While most boarding schools will offer ten to fifteen AP subjects, many frequently offer highly specialized AP courses such as Mandarin and Japanese. These AP courses are difficult to find in many private schools. They also are not commonly found in public schools.

10th grade is also a sensible entry point at boarding schools that offer the IB or programme. The IB programme has many program-specific features, and it is best to start at least by 10th grade.

A