1. The Up Side to Boarding School
Boarding school offers many benefits. Students who graduate from private boarding school are very mature and self-reliant compared to students who don't go the boarding school route. Boarding school graduates have extremely high acceptance rates into the nation's top colleges and universities. Although the price tag is high, many parents consider boarding school an investment they are making in their child's future. Boarding school also allows students and their parents to choose their school. This means the student has a more personalized experience based on her strengths and interests.
2. The Down Side to Boarding School
Cost is most often the prohibitive factor when deciding on college-preparatory boarding school. Boarding schools are not cheap, and although several offer financial assistance, it's often not enough for a family to afford it. On the flip side, around a third of all boarding school students receive some form of financial aid. Many parents do not want to break apart the family and send their child away to school. Boarding school goes from grades 7 to 12, or around the ages of 13 to 18. Letting your child go off to school as a minor is a big decision, and a difficult one to make.
3. Find Your Focus
Every boarding school has its own specialty. Some boarding schools offer great art programs, some focus on math or science and some on athletics. There are some boarding schools dedicated to remedial studies. Whatever you're looking for, there's a boarding school that covers your need.
4. Two Different Types
What is the biggest myth about boarding schools? That they're only for kids who are having trouble at home. While there are boarding schools that cater to these children, the majority of boarding schools are not in this category. Children who are having problems at home or who have behavioral issues go to therapeutic boarding schools. The other type of boarding school is the college-preparatory boarding school. The two are completely different and separate.
5. How to Decide
The first decision to make is whether or not boarding school is the right choice for your family. If you decide to go with a college prep boarding school, determine what you want from the school. If you want the boarding school to be close geographically, narrow your results by distance. Next, find the specialties you're looking for. Make sure all the schools are in your price range. Schedule visits with all the schools that meet all your criteria. Nothing beats a good visit to a school. If your child isn't comfortable there on a visit, it won't change if he goes to school there. Trust your instincts.
