Boarding schools offer a unique education experience for your child. It’s important to make sure that the school you choose is a good fit for them.
Choosing the right school is one of the most significant decisions that you will ever make for your child. It can have long-term effects on their academic and career path.
What is the curriculum?
A boarding school usually focuses on offering a well-rounded education. This includes academics, sports and extracurricular activities. This is a big advantage over public schools that can only focus on one or the other.
Boarding schools also tend to have a higher percentage of students living on campus compared to day schools. This is important as it can create a sense of community and support amongst the student body. This is especially true if the school has a strong theme or focus that promotes shared family values.
Many boarding schools offer specialized training in areas such as the arts, athletics, and more. This gives students access to professional-caliber resources, acclaimed instructors, and one-of-a-kind experiences they wouldn’t have had at a local high school.
These programs can help prepare students for the next stage of their lives, such as college or a career. They can teach them how to be more independent and develop a strong work ethic. They can also develop skills that will be beneficial for later life, such as time management and social interaction.
Another thing that a boarding school can do is provide more structure for the day. This can include a set schedule for classes, breaks, and study times. The day will then end with dinner and free time before bedtime or curfew. This is great for students who need a structured schedule but still want to be involved in sports, clubs, and more.
It is also helpful for students to have a full time teacher that can be their go-to person for any questions or issues they may have. This is especially important if they need to talk to someone about a problem that is not directly related to classwork or homework. It can help to have a trusted adult who can be there for them, and this is something that not all schools can offer.
Boarding schools are known for being more strict than day schools. This can be a good or bad thing depending on the situation. However, it is important to remember that these are places that are designed to be as safe and supportive as possible.
What are the extracurricular activities?
Boarding schools offer an array of extracurricular activities that help students thrive outside of the classroom. These activities allow students to explore their talents and interests while developing leadership skills and forming strong bonds with classmates. Whether it’s sports, the arts, or student clubs, it is important to find out what opportunities are available for your child to participate in.
Boarding school students must learn how to manage their time and balance their academics with other life activities. This can be a daunting task, especially for high school students who may have never before experienced such responsibility. Therefore, it is essential to understand the rules and regulations of the boarding school you are considering so that your son will be prepared for his new experiences.
For example, a boarding school may have strict rules about when students can go out on the weekend, and what types of activities they are permitted to do. This information will help your son decide if this school is a good fit for him and his lifestyle.
It’s also important to ask a school about its college counseling program. Specifically, you want to know how many students the school helps with their college applications, what kind of support it provides, and what its track record is for college matriculation. This will give you a sense of how much guidance your child will receive as he makes his way through the college process.
Additionally, you’ll want to know if the school has any unique traditions. For example, some English boarding schools have unique outdoor expeditions such as the Ten Tors hike on Dartmoor. This challenging hike is a great opportunity for boys and girls to build teamwork skills while exploring the beautiful landscapes of Devon.
While reading a brochure or website is helpful, nothing can compare to physically visiting a boarding school. This is a chance to see the facilities for yourself, meet current and past students, and ask any questions you have about the school. If possible, try to visit more than one boarding school in order to get a feel for the variety of experience available.
What is the social life like?
Boarding schools are known for their rigorous academic pursuits, but they also place a high value on social and emotional growth. Students who attend boarding school are part of a tight-knit community that cultivates friendships that last a lifetime. These close connections develop strong communication skills and promote inclusion and empathy amongst students. Boarding schools also offer a wide variety of social activities and events, so students have plenty of opportunities to connect with peers who share their interests. From clubs and teams to cultural events and dances, there is something for everyone at a boarding school. An example of this being how Hopetown offers Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE.
The smaller classroom sizes at boarding schools allow teachers and students to build a closer mentor relationship. This allows students to become more engaged in class and feel comfortable asking questions or voicing their opinions. Additionally, many boarding schools have faculty members with advanced degrees, which means that they can provide students with a well-rounded education beyond the classroom.
Students at boarding schools often report higher levels of college preparedness than their counterparts at public and private day schools. This is likely because they are already immersed in a challenging academic environment and live in a dorm setting similar to that of higher education. In addition, boarding schools provide students with guidance and support throughout their time at school, which can help them navigate the transition to college.
Most boarding schools offer transportation for sports and other extracurricular activities, which makes it easier for parents to spend quality time with their children while they are away. This can be especially beneficial for working families who can’t always drop their kids off at school before work.
In addition to offering transportation for sports and other extracurricular activities, boarding schools also typically provide their students with access to healthcare professionals. This ensures that students receive the care they need, when they need it.
Most boarding schools have extensive sports programs, from traditional sports like football and basketball to more unique activities like crew and equestrian. Participation in these activities offers a number of benefits, including developing teamwork and leadership skills. In addition, boarding schools often have a global curriculum, which exposes students to international issues and fosters a global perspective. This global awareness is a crucial skill in today’s increasingly interconnected world and can benefit students in future careers in fields such as international relations or business.
What is the school like?
The school environment is important, and it can often have an impact on a student’s education. Regardless of what people may think from what they see in movies or hear from former students who had bad experiences, most boarding schools are safe and provide a nurturing educational environment.
Boarding schools are unique in that they foster a sense of community amongst their students. This close-knit living arrangement often helps students to make lifelong friendships as they work and play together throughout the week, forming connections that extend beyond their time on campus. As a result, boarding schools can help their students to develop a greater sense of social maturity that prepares them well for college and the workforce.
In addition, boarding schools also offer their students an opportunity to learn from classmates and teachers of varying backgrounds. While this type of learning can be a challenge at times, it’s also a great way to expand students’ world views and help them become more tolerant of a diverse society.
Additionally, boarding schools are known for their rigorous academic programs that typically include advanced placement (AP) classes and hard-to-find subjects like forensic science, Latin, or ecology. This immersive learning experience enables students to dive deeply into their passions and give them a head start on college studies by building transferable credits and establishing a solid foundation in their subject matter.
Most boarding schools have small class sizes, so students and teachers can develop a strong mentorship. This close relationship allows students to gain confidence and feel comfortable speaking up in the classroom, making them more likely to be successful in their studies.
Another aspect of a boarding school that many people don’t consider is the fact that they teach students to be independent and take care of their own needs. This includes learning to manage their own schedule, do laundry, cook meals, and at some schools, even clean their rooms. This type of independence can help students to build practical skills and self-reliance that will serve them well in college and later in the workforce.