Why a boarding school

Why Attend A Boarding School?

We have first hand experience with placement at some of the finest boarding institutions in America. The resulting change or growth in our students in most cases has been quite remarkable. Let us work closely with you and your child to experience this incredible opportunity. Here is some important information that you should consider regarding the benefits of a boarding experience for your child.

Of late it seems that the realm of boarding schools has become somewhat mythological or tarnished by a reputation that is quite dated and highly inaccurate. We would like to share a snapshot of the reasons to attend and benefits attained by attending boarding schools and why they may be an excellent educational choice and option.

Let’s look at the myths surrounding these schools:

1. They are only for the wealthy and they maintain a snobbish atmosphere.

While it is true that a number of boarding schools ARE elite schools that prepare the rich to matriculate at an Ivy university, the vast majority are attended by middle class students with normal distributions of the wealthy and poor in the student population. Further, most programs stress academics, athletics and extracurricular excellence and NOT a posh lifestyle.

2. Children are sent to a boarding school because they have a serious “problem”.

This association tends to place a stigma or undesirable label on the concept of boarding schools for both parents and students. Some boarding schools can in fact act as boot camps for their students and for some of these students a disciplined approach may help them better find their way in the future. However, for the vast majority of boarding schools, the student population is only there to better themselves academically, athletically or through mastery of a talent. In many cases it is an honor to be able to attend a school which helps the student focus intensely in an area in which they excel and have deep interest, prior to entering college.

3. Boarding schools are too expensive.

The typical boarding school can cost approximately what a private college might cost annually:$28-$32K per year. While this IS a great deal of money, the preparation that a boarding school year can provide, will almost assure that the students will be able to handle the trials, tribulations and temptations of college adjustment far better than moving from high school to college. It is important to note that boarding schools in general provide financial aid that is predicated on the family’s ability to pay.

So which students can most benefit from a boarding school experience?

1. The student that is bright and underperforming within the current school system

A boarding school will work well for the underperformer because the class sizes are small and the teachers force the student to interact. The curriculum choices at these schools allow students to work on and examine areas that their home programs could not provide. Importantly students MUST study under supervision a minimum of two hours per day. Academic advisors provide specific generic study skills and then meet a minimum of once per week with the student to insure that they are on course for each subject being taken. To attain perks the student must achieve certain levels of academic performance.

2. The student for whom there is concern about making the transition from high school to college

Boarding school can help in any number of ways to help make a child’s transition to college an unqualified success. If the student is performing marginally or does not have proven study skills, their chances of college success are quite limited. Either doing a senior year or a post grad year before college will greatly improve that student’s chances for a positive college outcome. The boarding school will mandate the development of study skills, appropriate use of academic performance to achieve desired activities and permissions and most importantly teach the child to develop independent living skills –laundry, cooking, shared chores, being on time and dealing with consequences for rule breaking.

The accountability learned by these students as they develop independent living skills may be the single most important factor they learn. These skills in turn have been proven to be paramount to handling the rigors of college life and the increased academic workload new students must face.

3. The student that may have special abilities that are not adequately supported in the current school environment

Boarding schools are quite unique and different and as such they offer an astonishing level of depth into some areas that traditional school systems may not be able to support. There are schools that have music programs with intense learning environments and participation in international competitions, there are schools that are pathways to NCAA Division 1A full scholarships in baseball, basketball, and hockey. Other schools have art and theater programs that become feeders to the best universities offering these programs. Clearly boarding schools can play a significant role in helping a gifted and talented child be the best they can possible be as they prepare for the future.

4. The student that may have learning difficulties or suffer from low self esteem

Many mainstream boarding schools offer extensive help for students with learning differences: ADD, ADHD, dyslexia etc. These schools find ways to help the student feel fully integrated academically and yet help them develop self advocacy skills to insure that in their later years they will be able to get the type of help they need to succeed.

5. The student whose parents are having issues or other domestic disturbances are dominating home life

Parents in conflict or in situations of other household tension can have a devastating impact on a young adult. Living in a boarding environment can provide a disciplined and yet wholesome lifestyle that will direct the student to make healthy choices. The environment will help the student stay positive and able to focus on things other than the dysfunctional goings-on at home.

6. The student whose peer group association is getting him or her into serious trouble

Often, students can go down a negative spiral simply because of the type of friends with whom they associate. There is a general perception that students do drugs at boarding schools. In reality, those who do are expelled or pay sizeable consequences. Some boarding schools use a “one-strike and you are out” policy. A few give students a second chance depending on the circumstances. Negative subcultures are not easily established or tolerated at boarding schools. Boarding schools teachers and administrators work 24/7 to make sure that the dominant and sub-culture of the school reinforces positive behaviors and peers set a positive example to each other. In many boarding schools, teachers and coaches may live on the same dorm floor as the students. They supervise students every hour of the day, evening and weekends. TV shows and internet sites are monitored to make sure students visit acceptable sites. This kind of supervision and guidance is not easily available outside of a 24-hour learning environment because many parents are busy working or simply cannot deal with their child’s manipulation and may become part of the child’s problem.

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