Boarding Schools
Boarding schools are no longer the places troublesome kids are sent to. Boarding schools have a certain appeal- they are a home away from home. Studies made by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) have revealed that kids who grew up in boarding schools were highly successful, more so than their counterparts who attended day schools.
A survey showed that over 95 % of students attending boarding school, as well as their parents, were very satisfied with the experience. It was found that boarding school students were more prolific in planning their time than day-school students.
Boarding schools emphasize overall personality development that seems to be lacking in day schools. Boarding schools are well known for preparing their students for college and students do very well on college entrance exams. Some important aspects to be considered when selecting a boarding school are the kinds of programs the school offers, the accreditation of the school, the quality of the faculty, the available resources, student teacher ratio, standard of academics, sport's programs, art, etc.
Boarding schools are no longer outrageously expensive. There are many schools that offer scholarships to students. Information about hundreds of boarding schools and their programs is available on the Internet. You will also find how some boarding schools rank in terms of quality of education and programs offered. Going to boarding school isn't an easy decision. Boarding School Vs. Things you should consider and compare: Depending on where you live, local schooling options can compare to boarding schools in several ways. Nearby private day schools, magnet schools, or public high schools can naturally have very bright student bodies and qualified faculty. If you're considering local options besides boarding school, compare these important considerations:
Attention to students - boarding schools generally have small class sizes that help teachers engage every student in the classroom. Quality of faculty - the majority of boarding school faculty have advanced degrees in either education or another specialty.
Quality of resources - student resources at boarding schools - such as the library, theater facilities, or athletic complexes - can often be superior relative to local options.
Challenging academics - academics at boarding schools operate at high standards. Many boarding schools also offer opportunities to study in different countries for a term.
College counseling - college counseling departments at boarding schools are generally well-staffed and taken quite seriously. Benefits unique to boarding school:
In other ways, however, you'll find that boarding schools are strictly unique. In your boarding school research, you'll likely hear that "boarding school is an education in and of itself." Boarding school alumni say that they've really liked:
During boarding school, you'll repeatedly make ventures into the unknown. Having a lot of fun and forming intense friendships - boarding school can also be a lot of fun. It's common in boarding school for your dorm mates to become your closest friends and support network.
Having a wide range of friends - boarding schools actively aim to recruit students from a wide range of geographic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. Many schools have students coming from all over the United States and dozens of different countries. Being part of a proud community - boarding school alumni are generally very enthusiastic and proud of their boarding school alma maters (in many cases, more so than their college alma maters). The traditions and history behind many boarding schools drive the character of each school, and influence each student who goes there. Education takes on a broad meaning at boarding schools. So while boarding schools often do very well at educating students academically (in ways that may be better than local schooling options), their less directly measurable benefits should be considered as well. Keep this in mind as you research schooling options!
Even if you're just starting your boarding school research, there's a good chance you already have an impression of what boarding school is like. An excerpt from an article about college-preparatory boarding schools in The New York Times summarizes these differences well:
Myth 1: You must be very wealthy to go to boarding school.
Today, approximately a third of all boarding school students receive financial aid. Boarding school students now increasingly come from public schools and a wider range of family income-levels. In the past ten years, the emergence of K-12 private school loans has also made boarding school education more accessible.
Myth 2: Diversity is rare at boarding school.
More than a quarter of all boarding students are either students of color or international students. Boarding schools are generally more diverse than public schools - they actively seek diversity and draw from many geographic areas whereas local schooling options are dependent on neighborhood living patterns where populations tend to concentrate along ethnic or socio-economic lines. Myth 3: Kids don't have fun at boarding school.
Curfews and rules will be part of life at any boarding school - no big news here. But depending on your impression of boarding school, you might be surprised to learn that boarding school can also be a lot of fun. Keep in mind that while strong academics are a key focus for boarding schools, they also strive to foster independence in students. Myth 4: Boarding school is for kids who are having trouble at home or school.
There are two types of boarding schools - college-preparatory boarding schools and therapeutic boarding schools. The two are sometimes confused and can cause misperceptions that boarding schools are only for kids who are having trouble at home or school.
College-preparatory boarding schools are geared for motivated students who are looking to explore new opportunities. College-preparatory boarding schools are often ideal choices for students who are already doing generally well at school and at home, but would simply like to find new challenges. These types of boarding schools are not appropriate choices for students with drug, alcohol, or behavioral problems. The key objective of these boarding schools is to prepare students for college through rigorous academics. All the schools profiled in Boarding School Review are exclusively college-preparatory boarding schools.
Therapeutic boarding schools are aimed towards students who are having difficulty at home or in a traditional school setting. While preparing students for college can also be a goal for these schools, these schools are equipped to handle students who are facing challenges such as behavioral / emotional problems, substance abuse, or significant learning differences. Boarding School Review does not list therapeutic boarding schools.
College-preparatory boarding schools and therapeutic boarding schools have different missions and serve different audiences. It's helpful to know this when looking at schools, and avoid common misperceptions of college-preparatory boarding schools.
Boarding school students and their families are fortunate in that it's easier than ever to stay connected. Boarding schools offer Internet access for their students, with most schools having access in each boarding house, and some in each bedroom. Keep an open-mind about what you think boarding school might be like. The best way to learn about boarding schools is to visit one - you can learn the most about boarding school life by simply being on campus and talking to current students about their experiences.
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