Published January 10, 2009
10. You will get great teachers who love to teach.
Boarding schools traditionally hire teachers with degrees in their subjects. A large number of these experienced teachers have advanced degrees in their field as well. Typically all are passionate about their subject and love to teach it to young people. Because discipline is rarely a problem in boarding school, these talented teachers get to teach without having to be traffic cops or paper pushers like their public school counterparts.
9. You will have great sports and sports facilities.
Most boarding schools have amazing sports facilities. The range of sports and teams is mind-boggling. You will find everything from squash to crew, hockey to basketball. Natatoria are common. Fitness facilities make Gold's Gym look tame. The varsity teams travel regionally and globally to compete. (Think Henley and Head of the Charles, for example, in crew.)
8. You will have great arts programs and arts facilities.
Theater, dance, music, fine arts, in short, anything and everything artistic is part of the opportunity which awaits you at most boarding schools. Several schools have magnificent arts centers. Gorgeous chapels with fine pipe organs and choirs are still common. Chamber music, bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles will give you many opportunities to use your musical talents. The art galleries and museums many schools have acquired offer another serious enhancement for the artistically enclined.
7. You will get to live away from home.
It's never easy to leave the nest. But, doesn't it make more sense to make the move before college? Of course it does. You will learn how to cope with life and all its many high and low points in a community of your peers who are going through the same things you are. All of this is happening under the watchful eye of your teachers who are mentors, not baby-sitters.
6. You will be stretched by the amount of work you have to do.
In a public school you might read one Shakespeare play in a year if you are lucky and it happens to be relevant to the test. In a private school you will read three or four Shakespeare plays and study them in detail. Teaching to the test is virtually unheard of because boarding schools only have to be concerned with getting you into a college. As a result the depth and breadth of the academic courses in most schools is remarkable.
5. You will be surrounded by classmates who want to go to college.
Your classmates are in boarding school because they want to be there. The reason you go to private school is to learn. Most schools are selective about who they admit. Being willing to work hard in class and play hard on the playing field is all part of the college prep package these schools offer.
4. The libraries/media centers are well-stocked.
The older, more established schools have traditional library facilities which in many cases are better equipped than many colleges. Libraries have morphed over the years into media centers. The typical boarding school library will have the latest technology available in addition to all the usual print materials. And they will have them in abundance.
3. You will learn to be responsible for yourself.
Taking a lot of little steps towards maturity is one of the intangibles of going to boarding school. You have to learn to get along with others because it is a community. You learn to be responsible for your actions because you are bound by an honor or discipline code of some kind. The lessons in life learned in boarding school will lay a solid foundation for adulthood.
Boarding schools traditionally hire teachers with degrees in their subjects. A large number of these experienced teachers have advanced degrees in their field as well. Typically all are passionate about their subject and love to teach it to young people. Because discipline is rarely a problem in boarding school, these talented teachers get to teach without having to be traffic cops or paper pushers like their public school counterparts.
9. You will have great sports and sports facilities.
Most boarding schools have amazing sports facilities. The range of sports and teams is mind-boggling. You will find everything from squash to crew, hockey to basketball. Natatoria are common. Fitness facilities make Gold's Gym look tame. The varsity teams travel regionally and globally to compete. (Think Henley and Head of the Charles, for example, in crew.)
8. You will have great arts programs and arts facilities.
Theater, dance, music, fine arts, in short, anything and everything artistic is part of the opportunity which awaits you at most boarding schools. Several schools have magnificent arts centers. Gorgeous chapels with fine pipe organs and choirs are still common. Chamber music, bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles will give you many opportunities to use your musical talents. The art galleries and museums many schools have acquired offer another serious enhancement for the artistically enclined.
7. You will get to live away from home.
It's never easy to leave the nest. But, doesn't it make more sense to make the move before college? Of course it does. You will learn how to cope with life and all its many high and low points in a community of your peers who are going through the same things you are. All of this is happening under the watchful eye of your teachers who are mentors, not baby-sitters.
6. You will be stretched by the amount of work you have to do.
In a public school you might read one Shakespeare play in a year if you are lucky and it happens to be relevant to the test. In a private school you will read three or four Shakespeare plays and study them in detail. Teaching to the test is virtually unheard of because boarding schools only have to be concerned with getting you into a college. As a result the depth and breadth of the academic courses in most schools is remarkable.
5. You will be surrounded by classmates who want to go to college.
Your classmates are in boarding school because they want to be there. The reason you go to private school is to learn. Most schools are selective about who they admit. Being willing to work hard in class and play hard on the playing field is all part of the college prep package these schools offer.
4. The libraries/media centers are well-stocked.
The older, more established schools have traditional library facilities which in many cases are better equipped than many colleges. Libraries have morphed over the years into media centers. The typical boarding school library will have the latest technology available in addition to all the usual print materials. And they will have them in abundance.
3. You will learn to be responsible for yourself.
Taking a lot of little steps towards maturity is one of the intangibles of going to boarding school. You have to learn to get along with others because it is a community. You learn to be responsible for your actions because you are bound by an honor or discipline code of some kind. The lessons in life learned in boarding school will lay a solid foundation for adulthood.
You will make friends for life. Most boarding school graduates look back at their years in school as a time when lasting friendships were established. Coupled with that is the building of a network of friends and acquaintances who know you and care about you. Isn't that what life is really all about? Being surrounded by people who understand you and care about you is affirming and encouraging. We all can do with a dose of encouragement now and then, can't we?
2. The classes are small.
If you are in a public school with 30-40 students to a class, chances are that you will just be a number, unless you are very smart or very bad! You will probably get lots of attention then. In a boarding school, on the other hand, classes typically are 10-15 students. You cannot hide in a class that small. You have to participate. You will get called upon for your response. You will never just be a number in a boarding school.
1. It's cool to be smart.
This is probably the best reason to go to boarding school. In a public school the kids who really want to learn frequently end up being social outcasts. Not so in boarding school. It's cool to be smart in boarding school. It's also very cool to learn.
2. The classes are small.
If you are in a public school with 30-40 students to a class, chances are that you will just be a number, unless you are very smart or very bad! You will probably get lots of attention then. In a boarding school, on the other hand, classes typically are 10-15 students. You cannot hide in a class that small. You have to participate. You will get called upon for your response. You will never just be a number in a boarding school.
1. It's cool to be smart.
This is probably the best reason to go to boarding school. In a public school the kids who really want to learn frequently end up being social outcasts. Not so in boarding school. It's cool to be smart in boarding school. It's also very cool to learn.
These are our top ten reasons to go to boarding school. You will doubtless think of others. If all of this intrigues you, and you want to learn more choosing a school, read 5 Steps for Choosing a Boarding School.
- Why Boarding School?
Is boarding school right for you? Boarding schools offer a wealth of experiences in both learning and living which will do you well in later life. - 5 Steps for Choosing a Boarding School
Choosing a boarding school involves several steps. We guide you through the process and offer advice and help. - 5 Founders and Their Boarding Schools
What prompts somebody to start a boarding school? The motives range from idealism to munificence on through to capitalism. - Gifts for the Boarding School Graduate
May is the month for private school graduations. Boarding school graduation is an especially poignant occasion. Why not mark it with a special gift? - 10 Facts About Boarding Schools
Here are 10 facts about boarding schools which the schools want you to know. If you are considering sending your child to boarding school, this data and information will address some of your concerns. - Boarding School DO's and DON'TS
Here are some considerations to ponder whilst choosing schools and when your child is actually away at school. - The Boarding School Glossary
Boarding schools have their own jargon just like any activity or affinity group has. - Boarding School Myths
Read about common boarding school myths in case your perception of boarding school is driven largely by popular movies and urban legend. - Parent Persepective: Words of Wisdom for the Reluctant Parent
Learn about an initially reluctant parent's perspective on boarding school. - Boarding School Pictures
What does boarding school life look like? View photos from a variety of boarding schools and see if you can also picture yourself there. - Dr. Hank Nuwer on Hazing
We asked Dr. Hank Nuwer,a nationally recognized authority on the subject of hazing, to weigh in with his views. - International Students: Boarding School Benefits
Boarding school is appealling to both U.S. and international students. Learn why boarding school is a popular option for international students around the world. - Is Boarding School Right for Your Child?
Are you wondering whether boarding school is right for your child? Answer these five questions and you will be better able to determine whether it is. - Summer Boarding School Programs
Learn several key reasons why a summer boarding school program can be beneficial for your child. - True or False: Boarding Schools.....
The media loves to focus on things like elitism and how boarding schools are just for troubled kids. Let's look at the truth. - Boarding School FAQs
Read frequently asked questions on a range of boarding school related topics. - Types of Boarding School
Explore the different types of boarding school options in the US. Find which type of boarding school is most appropriate for you. - Understanding Financial Aid
Learn how financial aid works in boarding schools. - Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year
Learn about the Post-Graduate(PG) Year, and how it can benefit certain students. - What If Things Go Wrong?
Boarding schools have a reputation for being tough academically and from a discipline point of view. But that's not all they are. - When Should I Go Off to Boarding School?
When should you go off to boarding school? It depends. Most students enter prep school in 10th grade. But you have choices. - Why Do a Gap or Post-Graduate (PG) Year?
Learn why more and more students are choosing to do a gap or post graduate (PG) year at boarding school. - 5 Common Myths About Military Schools
Military schools seem to go in and out of favor with the general public. Perhaps that has to do with some rather common misconceptions about what military schools are and how they operate. Let's take a look. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Boys' School
We have been hearing a lot about the benefits of single sex education recently. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing a boys' school for your son. - 5 Reasons To Choose a Girls' School
There is a body of research which suggests that girls do learn differently from boys. So, if that is the case, maybe you should consider a girls' school for your daughter instead of sending her off to a coed school. Here are some points to ponder. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Junior Boarding School
A junior boarding school offers certain distinct advantages for the middle school aged student. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing this option for your child. - 10 Things You Must Not Forget When Applying
There's a lot involved in selecting the right boarding school. Don't forget these ten important things when you apply. - Benefits of a Small Boarding School
Learn about the benefits of a small boarding school. - Choosing a School: Comparing Schools
Use a spreadsheet to develop your initial list of schools. Here's how. - Considering a U.S. Arts Program?
"If the arts are part of your interests and your passion, you should research each school’s available offerings. Spend time reading the school’s literature and visiting its website..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Girls' School Graduates Have an Edge
Exciting new research shows that a girls' boarding school can offer your daughter many advantages. - How to Apply to Boarding School
There are several ways to apply to boarding school. - I Can't Find Any Rankings!
This cry is heard throughout the land as parents try desperately to compare one boarding school against another. - Is It Too Late?
Can you get your children into private school well after the admissions deadlines have passed? The answer is a guarded "Yes!" - Looking at Schools
"Do you like large schools or small schools? Are you most comfortable in a city, small town or countryside? Are you interested in attending a school that has a religious or military orientation? Would you like to attend a school that is only for boys or girls? These are some questions you must ask yourself before you begin your search for the right U.S. boarding school for you..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Quaker Education: What’s Different about a Friends School?
Learn about the benefits of attending a Quaker boarding school. - Schools for Students with Learning Disabilities
How to deal with a child who has a learning disability. - Using an Educational Consultant
An education consultant knows schools. Like any professional he has vast experience in and knowledge of his chosen field. - What About Canadian Schools?
Canadian boarding schools have a lot going for them. Great value, location in a foreign but friendly neighboring country, English speaking, fine academics, all kinds of sporting activities besides hockey and skiing and much more. - What Is Being Taught?
You need to know what is being taught before you decide which boarding school is best for you. - Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is, that is, until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody. - Teaching in a Boarding School
Teaching or working in a boarding school is quite unlike any job in a day school.
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- Choosing a School (20 articles)
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