BATH — For seniors not ready to take the leap to independence that collegiate life brings, many are opting to take a postgraduate year following high school graduation, typically spent at a private school.

At the Hyde School, the number of postgraduate students has more than doubled in the last five years. There are currently 15 students.

This extra year allows a student to mature socially and/or academically, provides another year of academic preparedness and time to enhance study skills and time management, perhaps another year to strengthen athletic ability to pursue a sport in college.

As postgraduates, these students will have already earned a high school diploma so will be making academic choices that will enhance their profile for college by filling in gaps on their transcript or taking some more advanced courses.

Hyde works with each postgraduate student to develop an individualized plan that might include AP courses, electives in the arts, SAT prep, college counseling, hands-on leadership training, and internship opportunities.

To learn more, log on to Hyde.edu.