A postgraduate (PG) year is a 13th year of high school taken at a boarding school after graduation, used to strengthen academics, gain an athletic season, or mature before college. It costs $60,000–$85,000 in 2026 and is offered mainly at New England prep schools such as Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, and Loomis Chaffee.
Key facts about the PG year
- A PG year costs the same as standard boarding tuition: $60,000–$85,000 for 2025–26.
- Recruited athletes are the largest PG demographic, using the year for development and recruiting exposure.
- PG students apply through the same admission process and deadlines as other boarding applicants.
- Colleges see all transcripts — a PG year adds to a record; it does not replace one.
- Age limit: students turning 20 during the school year are generally ineligible, and athletic leagues enforce age caps.
What do students do during a PG year?
PG students take a full course load — often advanced classes their high school lacked — compete on varsity teams, receive dedicated college counseling, and reapply to universities during the fall of the PG year. The year functions as a supervised bridge between high school and college with a second admissions cycle built in.
Is a PG year worth it?
A PG year is worth it when there is a specific, closable gap: an athlete one season short of recruitment, a student whose junior-year grades undersell real ability, or an international student needing US academic acclimation. It is rarely worth $60,000–$85,000 as a general gap year — structured alternatives cost far less.
Weigh it with the same framework as any boarding decision — is boarding school worth it — and confirm placement claims against the school’s published matriculation lists. Application mechanics follow the standard process in how to apply to boarding school; costs are broken down in how much boarding school costs.
PG year FAQ
What is a PG year at boarding school?
A PG (postgraduate) year is an extra year of high school taken at a boarding school after graduating from high school — a 13th grade. Students retake or advance coursework, compete an additional athletic season, and reapply to colleges with a stronger record. Most US PG programs are at New England prep schools.
Who should do a postgraduate year?
PG years serve three groups best: athletes needing another season of development and recruitment exposure, students whose grades or maturity lagged their ability, and international students adapting to the US system before university. It suits students with a specific gap to close — not those avoiding a decision.
Does a PG year help with college admissions?
It can. A PG year adds a year of rigorous coursework, higher grades, and — for athletes — a recruiting cycle at a school with established college relationships. It does not erase a prior record; colleges see all transcripts. The benefit is largest for recruited athletes and late academic bloomers.
How much does a PG year cost?
A PG year costs the same as regular boarding tuition — $60,000–$85,000 at the prep schools that offer it for 2025–26. Financial aid applies on the same need-based terms as other students, through the SSS/PFS process.
Sources
- The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS): PG program listings.
- Phillips Exeter Academy Admissions: example PG admission requirements.