Rumsey’s VIIth Form (Grade 9) is a purposeful capstone year—one that combines academic challenge with meaningful opportunities for leadership, independence, and personal growth.
With the confidence that comes from being known, trusted, and encouraged to contribute, students leave Rumsey grounded in who they are and prepared to enter secondary school as capable, curious, and resilient young people.
Watch a Parent Perspective:
Expert Guidance Through Adolescence
Our faculty are experts at adolescence. As students navigate this transformative stage, and all of the challenges their development presents, Rumsey Hall provides unmatched guidance, structure, and programming that empowers them to mature into positive, growth-oriented members of communities.
Logan’s 9th Grade year at Rumsey gave him the confidence and independence to thrive at boarding school. With support from faculty, coaches, and dorm parents, he was ready for the challenge. We’re proud of his growth—and grateful he was so well prepared.
Kendall and Tommy Adams, parents of Logan and Colin
Leadership Opportunities Unique to Ninth Grade
Seniors at Rumsey Hall have an uncommon opportunity to ascend to levels of leadership rarely available to ninth grade elsewhere. They are prepared for responsibility and serve as role models and leaders for an entire student body, a privilege usually reserved for high school seniors. Whether serving as student government representatives, table or dorm prefects, team captains, or club leaders, our oldest students take on meaningful roles that shape campus life. These leadership opportunities are valued by admission offices across the globe. Our intentional and deliberate 9th Grade program equips students with the skills and confidence to lead effectively in their future schools and communities.
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Comprehensive Secondary School Counseling Support
Finding the right secondary school is a complex journey. We dedicate extensive resources to guide families and students through this process, starting in the spring of the VIth Form (8th Grade) year. Our year-long, comprehensive and holistic approach includes exclusive access to admission directors from across the country and around the world, who visit our campus each fall to help students explore a breadth of opportunities.
Staying for 9th Grade helped me so much. I became more confident, took on leadership roles like dorm rep and team captain, and improved my English. It felt good to be at the top before starting over. I worked harder, did better in school, and felt truly ready for high school.
A Year of Achievement and Community Impact
Our seniors regularly accomplish impressive feats. It is not uncommon for a senior to individually organize a community service effort, produce an extraordinary body of music or art, or lead teams and classes to extraordinary success. They take these risks within a supportive environment unique to Rumsey Hall, allowing for growth and achievement not commonly found elsewhere.
Seamless Transition to Secondary School Success
We have designed our 9th Grade academic programming to ensure students meet appropriate challenges and are well-prepared for a variety of secondary school curricula. Our graduates quickly assume leadership roles in their new schools—in teams, dorms, student government, and academics—building on the foundation laid at Rumsey.
Preparing Confident, Resilient Leaders
Through intentional, unique opportunities in their senior year, Rumsey Hall’s students learn and grow in ways that give them a distinct advantage in secondary school admissions and beyond. The 9th Grade capstone year, aligned with rigorous secondary schools, produces great results as manifest in the consistent list of schools our graduates attend.
We almost moved Louise to high school for 9th Grade, but staying at Rumsey was the best decision. As a Senior, she grew as a leader, thrived in honors classes, and earned a varsity sports award. That final year gave her confidence, maturity, and true readiness for high school.
Ron and Mary Gagnon, parents of Louise
