Boarding School DO's and DON'TS

Published September 13, 2009
By Robert Knox Kennedy

DO: Visit schools.
Visiting schools takes a lot of time and effort. It is, however, one of the most important parts of the school selection process.  Use the search tools on this site to develop a preliminary list of schools which interest you and your child. Iif you are located overseas,  be sure to research flights to major ports of entry such as Seattle and Los Angeles on the west coast and Boston, New York, Atlanta and Miami on the east coast and Denver and Chicago in the western and mid-western parts of the country. If you ever have to make an emergency trip to your child's school, you will understand why this step is so important.

Once you have developed your preliminary list, refine it to a short list of 3-5 schools. Then visit these schools to determine if they are indeed a good fit for your child's needs and your requirements.

DON'T: Ignore your child's reactions.
The older your child is, the more you have to involve her in the whole process. The only obvious exception would be if you are dealing with other issues such as a learning difficulty or a behavioral syndrome. In those cases your parental instincts as to what's best for your child trump everything else.

It is very important for you to discuss the reasons why you want your daughter to go off to boarding school. Listen carefully to her input. Factor her requirements into the selection process. If she insists on visiting a school which you don't think is suitable, be patient with her. Visit it anyway. She may have discovered something about the school which you have overlooked or perhaps have placed less importance on. It may well be that she is right.

DO: Budget for the unexpected.
Because boarding schools are usually located some distance from your place of residence, always build some flexibility into your budget for your child's schooling as well as extra expenses. In addition to the usual lessons, boarding for her horse and so on, there will be opportunities for side trips and events which she simply cannot miss. If she has to make a sudden trip home for an emergency situation such as an illness or death in the family, she will need to act quickly. Make sure her debit card and credit card have plenty of room to handle that sort of expense. Add at least another 10% to the school's monthly bill for contingencies.

DON'T: Be a helicopter parent.
Being concerned about your child is perfectly normal. Preventing her from accepting responsibility for her own actions is not. Hovering over a child or over-parenting is something some 21st century parents seem to do. Hence the term 'helicopter' parent. Use her boarding school years as a time for her to use her wings and make short flights from the nest. The confidence which she builds from being allowed to take some acceptable risks will pay off handsomely in later life.

On the other hand, your child's education has to be a partnership. It's you the parent, your child and the school in this together. For the long term too. That means you need to monitor your child's progress from afar. Fortunately email and cellphones make this easy to do. Most boarding schools will have a parents' portal which you can use to check on academic progress. It's not a matter of snooping. Be sure your child understands that.

More Reading

Robert Knox Kennedy is a consultant who has written extensively about private schools.


{"http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/articles/40":{"data":[]}}

View Related About Boarding School Articles:

  • 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.
  • 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 Reasons to Start Your School Search Early
    Allowing 18 months for your school search process has many benefits. Here are five reasons why it is a good idea so to do.
  • 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.
  • I Can't Find Any Rankings!
    This cry is heard throughout the land as parents try desperately to compare one boarding school against another.
  • 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.
  • Recruitment Fairs
    North American boarding schools regularly send admissions staff overseas to hold recruitment fairs in your area.
  • 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.

All Categories:

RSS/XML Feed RSS
Article Categories
Most Recent
Most Popular
About Boarding School
Admissions
Choosing a School
Common Questions
Teaching
Paying For It