Boarding Gap Year

Boarding Schools and Gap Year Programs

Boarding Schools

A national TABS survey shows that boarding school students study an average of 17 hours per week versus public school students who study an average of 7 hours per week. The percentage of boarding school graduates who achieved positions in top management by mid-career was 44% versus 27% for public school students. Boarding school students are serious about their education, enjoy many after school activities, develop independent living skills, learn time management, thrive in small, friendly classes, engage in service learning activities, and become well informed about other cultures. Why go to boarding school?

Gap years

What are ‘gap’ year programs? These are six to twelve month programs for students who want to take a break between high school and college to explore their specific interests or pursue a vocation or beef up on their study skills.

Many deans of selective universities have spoken in favor of students taking a year off before starting college. The military academies find that students who graduate from boarding school or take a post-graduate year at a boarding school soar above their peers. It makes sense that after spending 12 years in school, certain students need a breather. Some want to experience the world, to work, engage in an internship or participate in volunteer activities.

Schools and organizations that offer “gap” year programs typically accept a high school graduate who wants to improve their transcript, mature physically and socially, and get better prepared for the academic rigors of college. Some students use this extra-year to grow and become more competitive in their sport. They may even find a passion for a vocation that does not require college.

Testimonials

Working with Chip helped me better understand my child as a learner and as an athlete. He explored every possibility that fit our son. He looked for schools and athletic opportunities in every independent school in New England. He gave me peace of mind with the entire process, and the confidence to make this decision. My son is at a boarding school that fits his needs and he even received a substantial scholarship.

CC - Cranston, RI

Claire knows that not everyone’s learning style is the same. Our daughter is now at a boarding school that has a mission and style that is more consistent with our daughter’s needs. We highly recommend Claire to any family that wants to identify an appropriate boarding school for their child.

JOA – St. Petersburg, FL

We have worked with Claire since our children were in middle school. She goes beyond the obvious school and college choices. She identified our children’s individual strengths and she opened up a larger horizon for them, certainly beyond anything we would have considered. Our children received an “Ivy-League” education in boarding school and college. Supplemental, educational planning with someone like Claire Law made a lot of sense for us when our children were in a school that was not working for them.

PEQ - Parent of three children, E Greenwich, RI