Parents' Concerns about Sending Their Child to Boarding School

Teaching in a Boarding School: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators

Teaching in a boarding school is quite unlike any job in a day school. Why? Because in most schools you will live above the store, as it were. Most faculty, deans, and heads of school, as well as some key support staff such as the admissions and development directors, are housed in school accommodations as part of their conditions of employment.

I know what I have written to be true because I have had many friends and acquaintances over the years who have taught at boarding schools. I always came away from my conversations with them impressed by their love of teaching their subject at a high academic level to young people who were generally very keen to excel. As a parent, I was also impressed by the superb facilities at the schools my daughters attended. Libraries, classrooms, sports facilities, chapels, and a tremendous sense of history were part of the mix of memories I have from those years. My point is that if you want to teach at an institution where your work will be respected, you owe it to yourself to investigate teaching at a boarding school. Here's how to make that happen.

Home and School Intertwined

Boarding schools are self-contained communities. Students and faculty eat together. They share relaxing times watching TV and playing games together. That is because teachers and staff in a boarding school function in loco parentis. They take the place

Why Consider a Military School?

Military schools offer a unique educational experience that combines academic rigor with character development and leadership training. If you are thinking about a military school education for your child, then investigate residential military schools. It will be a 24/7 experience versus the after school experience available in most public day schools. Furthermore, if you are looking for a well-rounded, balanced approach to education together wth fulltime supervision, a military school is worth considering.

Here are some compelling reasons to consider a military school for your child.

Discipline and Structure
Military schools are renowned for their disciplined environment and structured daily routines.

This approach helps students develop:

• Self-discipline
• Time management skills
• Respect for authority
• Personal responsibility

As one military school puts it, "We always expect our cadets to do the right thing–acting with respect, responsibility, honor, and generosity."

Leadership Training

A key component of military school education is leadership development. Students learn:

• Effective communication
• Group dynamics
• Decision-making skills
• Goal setting
• Ethical leadership

These skills are valuable in any career path, not just military service.

Academic Excellence

Contrary to popular belief, military schools prioritize academic achievement. They offer:

• College preparatory curricula
• Advanced Placement courses
• SAT preparation
• Small class sizes for personalized attention
• Many military school graduates go on to attend prestigious colleges and universities.

Character Development

Military schools focus on developing well-rounded individuals. They emphasize:

• Patriotism
• Community service
• Teamwork
• Personal integrity

Potential Pathway to Military Academies

While attending a military school doesn't guarantee admission to a service academy, it can provide:

• Familiarity with military culture
• JROTC training
• Strong academic preparation
• Leadership experience

One of the best things about boarding schools is that there is a school out there somewhere that is a good fit for your educational objectives, however varied those might be. As you begin to draw a picture of the kind of school that works for you and your child, you could discover that the structured environment and leadership training military boarding schools offer are attributes you are looking for.

As one parent to another, I'll raise my issues with military schools. Also, I want to disclose that my eldest daughter took part in the ROTC program at MIT while she was at Harvard. I had no idea she was interested in a military career until she announced she was in ROTC. No clue! So, don't hesitate to think outside the box. Assume nothing when looking at boarding schools. You and your child could visit one of our exemplary military school campuses and decide that it has everything you are looking for.

When are military schools a good option?

So, what about military schools? When might you consider sending your son or daughter to one? I'll answer those questions and more, but first, let's settle some things before proceeding.

• Military schools are NOT places where you send a child with discipline or other behavioral issues.
• Military schools are NOT reform schools or schools for troubled youth.
• Military schools ARE genuine learning institutions with a specific focus, i.e., military training.

When a healthcare professional such as a psychologist

In this article, we're going to do a little role-playing. I will assume the role of the boarding school advertising a position. I want you to see and understand what goes on behind the scenes as applications come in online, via email or snail mail. With that knowledge, I am confident you will take the extra time and care necessary to submit the application, which will make the first cut. After all, you want to get an interview. Otherwise, all bets are off.

In the following, I will present the school and its point of view. Then, I will follow that with editorial comments and advice based on my professional experience to determine which applicants get an interview and which don't meet the requirements.

The School: We expect to receive hundreds of applications and resumes when advertising a position. Some of these are from people we know; however, most applications are from people we do not know. So, tell me now, why should I look at your resume? Here are some reasons why your application will go into the "Review" folder.

1. You presented your application in the format we specified.

School: Following instructions is a trait most employers value. As a result, a simple thing like following the instructions on applying for the job opening at our school speaks well of you. Our school uses a standardized application form to comply with various legal requirements. So, if you use something other than the form we specify,