Choosing a School

How to Choose the Right Performing Arts Boarding School: A Checklist for Parents and Students

Introduction

Public schools continue to serve the majority of U.S. students—but are they keeping pace with diverse learning styles? For families considering specialized alternatives, such as a performing arts boarding school, this article will refresh your approach with up-to-date data and a streamlined checklist to guide your choice.

Are Public Schools Meeting Your Child’s Needs? Enrollment & Demographic Trends

• As of fall 2023, public school enrollment in the U.S. stood at approximately 49.5 million, down from 50.8 million in fall 2019—a loss of over 1.2 million students (2.5%).

• Nationwide, factors such as low birth rates, homeschooling, private school migration, and demographic shifts are contributing to ongoing enrollment decline.

• Enrollment falls are most pronounced in early grades, especially kindergarten and middle school.

• These changes affect budgets, program offerings, and teacher availability in many districts.

Learning Styles & Flexibility

Public schools vary in adapting to individual learning styles—some excel with differentiated instruction, others struggle due to standardized testing or overcrowded classrooms. Visit local schools, review curriculum styles, and ask how they support visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and performing-arts learners (e.g., drama, music-integrated learning).

Why a Performing Arts Boarding School Could Be the Right Fit

For students drawn to something more immersive and tailored, a performing arts boarding school offers:

• Dedicated daily instruction in dance, music, theater, and related disciplines.

• Mentoring from professional teachers, small class sizes, and a campus nurturing both academic and creative development.

• A peer community that

Boarding School Admissions: International Students

American boarding schools are an excellent option for families seeking a high-quality education for their children. Suppose you are a parent in Asia or Central and South America considering sending your son or daughter to a boarding school in the United States. In that case, this article will help you understand the steps involved so that you can make that happen. Many parents like you have done the same thing because they value American boarding schools' high academic standards. They also understood the return on such a significant investment in terms of developing a robust network of friends and associates throughout the global community. American schools offer excellent preparation for university-level studies.

International students make up about 15% of the student population in American boarding schools. Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international applicant by American boarding schools.

Attending a boarding school in the United States means that your child will join a school community with decades of experience educating international students. These schools have years of experience helping students from around the world adjust to their new lives in the United States, making that transition as smooth as possible.

We understand that sending your child far from home is a major decision. You will have many questions about the admissions process, visa requirements, and what life will be like at school. As a parent whose daughters attended American boarding schools,

Read on to find out more about the distinctive boutique boarding experience at this family-oriented school, from its calming surroundings to the warmth of its community and the excellence of its education.

An Enchanting Location

Forget the hustle and bustle of city centers. Haut-Lac's 5-star location at the heart of the Swiss Riviera treats staff and students to stunning views over Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond.

If you ever wondered why Charlie Chaplin and Henri Nestlé chose this scenic area as their base, just step out onto our secondary campus and boarding house terraces, and you’ll have your answer.

The school's proximity to the lake and mountains offers both an inspiring backdrop for learning and a unique opportunity for students to connect with the natural world. Outdoor lessons, Winter season ski outings, and paddle-boarding or hiking weekends with the boarders are a few of the many ways Haut-Lac uses the region's rich cultural heritage to create a stimulating environment that nurtures curiosity and a global perspective.

Nested in the heart of the Swiss Riviera

Studying at Haut-Lac

As an IB World School accredited by the Council of International Schools, Haut-Lac’s commitment to quality is second only to its passion for nurturing the potential in each student and fostering a lifelong love of learning.

It’s four secondary academic curricula, namely the IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), IB Career-Related Programme

Boarding School Commercials

Boarding schools come in several different formats. There are single-sex schools for boys and for girls. There are military schools. Several schools offer specialized instruction for students with learning differences. Others have strong sports or arts programs. So, to help you choose the type of boarding school that meets your needs and requirements, here are some commercials for each kind of school. After reading these, I suggest you explore the types of schools that interest you using the powerful search tool we have built into the splash page of this site.

Boys' Schools

"Unleash Their Potential at Our Boys' Boarding School!"

Are you looking for a school that understands and caters to the unique needs and strengths of your son? Look no further! Our Boys' Boarding School offers an environment designed specifically for boys to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Here's why you should consider sending your son to our school:

Tailored Education Our curriculum is designed with a focus on boys' learning styles, encouraging active engagement and hands-on experiences. We provide a challenging academic program that nurtures their intellectual growth and fosters critical thinking skills.

Positive Male Role Models Our dedicated faculty and staff create a supportive atmosphere where boys can develop healthy relationships with positive male role models. These mentors understand the specific needs of boys and provide guidance, encouragement, and mentorship throughout their educational journey.

Character Development We believe in instilling strong values and character traits in our students. Through leadership programs,

The Gifted Student

Oxford Languages defines gifted as "having exceptional talent or natural ability." You've been aware for a long time that your child is gifted. She reads several grade levels above her grade and is passionate about robotics. She socializes well, and is liked by her teachers and classmates. The problem is that your local public school doesn't have the resources to stretch her and allow her to achieve her full potential. So, you are looking at boarding schools as an option for expanding her intellectual horizons.

Signs of Giftedness in Children Include:

• an extreme need for constant mental stimulation
• an ability to learn and process complex information rapidly
• a need to explore subjects in surprising depth
• an insatiable curiosity, as demonstrated by endless questions and inquiries
• ability to comprehend material several grade levels above their age peers
• surprising emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age
• enthusiastic about unique interests and topics
• quirky or mature sense of humor
• creative problem solving and imaginative expression
• absorbs information quickly with few repetitions needed
• self-aware, socially aware, and aware of global issues

Source: Davidson Institute

So, I can tell you as a parent of two gifted daughters, boarding school is an excellent option. We lived in rural Litchfield County, Connecticut. The local regional school system was very good but had limited resources. There was no internet in those days. So, we encouraged reading lots of books and added enrichment activities. But, again, we soon exhausted those scarce resources. Boarding school ended up being