Advantages of Boarding School

What is a Boarding School?

In essence, a boarding school is a college preparatory institution where students and teachers live and study together in a safe and secure campus environment. As you might imagine, attending boarding school provides many advantages for students—and their families.

Boarding School Will Develop Your Child

Boarding schools have an outstanding tradition of academic excellence, built on an educational model that delivers diverse curricula, taught by highly qualified and exceptionally motivated teachers, in small classes that encourage meaningful interaction with the students. Ninety percent of boarding school students said in a recent survey that they felt challenged academically. Official figures back it up. Boarding school students spend more than twice as many hours a week on homework than their peers in state schools.

Learning Continues Beyond the Classroom

At boarding schools, learning extends beyond the classroom. Because staff and students live together, students benefit from countless "teachable moments" inside and outside of the classroom. Boarding school students also participate in more extracurricular activities than students in state schools, whether playing sports, engaging in creative skills like music or painting, or participating in student government and school club activities.

Boarding Students Discover Self-Reliance

Boarding school environments can range in character from arts-focused to militarily-oriented, but almost always feature a student body composed of young people from a diversity of backgrounds. At boarding school, students are empowered to achieve their true potential and enjoy a measure of real independence. Because they are not living at home, they are required to learn how to live with, trust, and respect their peers. As many graduates have remarked, there are few substitutes for having to manage your own academic and personal responsibilities at a young age.

Boarding Graduates Lead Exceptional Lives

Boarding schools also offer the priceless gift of preparing young people for future success. The academic rigor and the training in negotiating the responsibilities of independence set boarding school graduates on a path to prosperity—professionally, socially, and culturally.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

It is often said that at boarding school, students "live to learn" since they spend large parts of their day engaged in learning activities. But they also "learn to live" by shouldering the responsibility that comes with greater independence. Without question, boarding schools shape lives for the better. Unsurprisingly, the experience leaves a positive impression on graduates and over 80% say they would repeat the boarding experience – given the chance.

The Big Advantages of Boarding Schools

1. Boarding schools traditionally have highly qualified teachers who see their work as a calling – not a job.

2. Children at boarding school benefit from small classes and heightened interaction between students and their teachers.

3. The residential campus environment ensures that students are immersed in an educational world where learning is central to all activities. It’s a unique setting that promotes common experience, camaraderie, friendship, trust and honesty between children and adults.

4. Boarding school students are uniquely prepared for university life. Graduates often end up attending the finest universities. In addition, they arrive at college better prepared for academic rigor because of they learned how to be responsible at boarding school.

5. Students are conditioned for future success because they are encouraged to achieve their full potential at boarding school. Studies show that boarding school graduates not only excel at university, but advance rapidly in their professional careers.

Choosing a Boarding School

No two boarding schools are alike. Like every child, every boarding school is unique. It’s important, therefore, to find the right boarding school for your child. Here are some helpful hints that will assist you in making an informed decision.

Step 1: Look at numerous schools
Start by looking at every school which catches your fancy. Take time to browse each school's website. Many have excellent video tours will have testimonials from students or parents. There may also be official reviews from overseeing bodies. Also check out independent boarding school review websites that do not filter student comments. You should probably take a look at 15-20 schools before refining your list.

Step 2: Narrowing your list
This can be time-consuming because you need to sit down with your child to review each school on the list. As you work through the original list, discard schools which don’t appeal and aim to produce a shortlist containing a maximum of 5 schools. You can narrow down your original list by asking numerous questions.

• Do you want single gender or a coeducational school?
• Do you want a small or large school?
• Do you want a religious school?
• Does the school cover your special interests such as sport or drama?
• What about special needs?
• What are the class sizes?
• What is the standard of residential accommodation?
• How good are the recreational facilities?
• Is your child a good match for the school and vice versa?
• Is your child likely to pass the entrance exam?
  

Step 3: Visit the shortlisted schools
Visiting schools on your short list takes time but it is a must-do step. Nothing beats visiting the campus, staff and students. The visit and interview is your chance to assess whether a school really is a good fit for your child and your requirements.

Step 4: Admissions Testing
Now is the time to list down to your final choices and submit your child to sit the admissions tests. Make sure your child has plenty of practice well in advance of the tests.

Step 5: Apply and Pay for it
Most schools have online applications which simplify the process. Some schools use a common application form. If you need financial assistance, ensure you file the financial aid request forms in good time. Most private schools offer generous financial aid packages. Some even offer a free education if your family fulfils a means test.

Dos & Don’ts

DO visit schools
Visiting schools takes time and effort – but it’s worth it.

DON'T ignore your child's views
The older your child is, the more he or she will have a say about the choice of school. Listen carefully and take your child’s views into account when making you final choice.

DO budget for the unexpected
Because the boarding school may be located some distance from where you live, always build some flexibility into your budget for unexpected expenses such as travel. In addition to the teaching and accommodation fees, there may be unforeseen expenses for trips and events which your child cannot miss. It is probably wise to add another 10% to the school's monthly bill for contingencies.

DON'T be over protective
Every parent is concerned about their child – it is perfectly normal. Being over protective of your child, however, is not good. Always remember your child is at boarding school to grow in confidence and independence so avoid too many parental visits. It’s easy to stay in touch by email and phone.

English schools have a reputation for producing students who are considerate, well-behaved and able to think for themselves; qualities which are prized around the world. As a recent article in the Daily Telegraph observed, ‘Britannia may no longer rule the waves but, so long as English is the lingua franca of business and banking, there will be a worldwide market for good British Schools.’ In May 2010 The Independent outlined what it felt to be the three main reasons why British Boarding Schools do so well. Firstly, they have favourable teacher-pupil ratios; secondly, they invest in facilities like sports fields, theatres and art rooms; and thirdly, they have traditions which are instilled in their pupils.