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Free Boarding Schools
Thinking about sending your child to boarding school but are concerned that you can't afford it? Here are several free boarding schools as well as several schools that offer tuition-free educations for students from qualified families.

There are only a handful of free boarding schools in the United States. Most were founded many years ago by visionary, community-minded individuals who believed that children from the working class and poor families should have the same educational advantages as children from families with money. The impact these schools have had on society is enormous. The benefits to thousands of students and their families are priceless.

As you read about these schools and watch the videos, remember that all these schools believe emphatically that an education does not consist solely of academics. Each school understands that a child needs nurturing and counseling to make the most of the opportunities before him. In addition, these schools expect the child's family to be involved. His education is a partnership of three: home, school, and student. That's what it takes to provide the solid foundation a child needs to succeed in his adult life.

Girard College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stephen Girard was one of the richest men in America when he founded Girard College in Philadelphia. The school is unique in that all students board at the school from 1st grade through 12th. For free. The school serves approximately 580 students in Grades 1-12. Almost 100% of its graduates matriculate to college.

'The school's benefactor, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), left his generous estate to educate and care for needy children. As long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefited from strong academic and

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Preventing Teen Suicide

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Preventing Teen Suicide
An essential guide for boarding school communities on preventing teen suicide. This comprehensive article explores warning signs, prevention strategies, and actionable steps for parents, teachers, administrators, and students to create a supportive environment and save young lives. Teen suicide is the 3rd largest killer of young adults between the ages of 15-24. You and I can prevent it.

Preventing Teen Suicide

Teen suicide is preventable. Boarding school communities have both the opportunity and responsibility to create an environment in which students feel supported, understood, and empowered to seek help. Recent research shows that school-based prevention programs are making a measurable difference - students at schools with comprehensive prevention programs are 25% less likely to attempt suicide, 13% less likely to make a suicide plan, and 10% less likely to have suicidal thoughts

Understanding the Current Landscape

Every year, there are reports of high school students taking their own lives.

  • Suicide casts a terrible pall over any school community. It just seems so pointless, so senseless.
  • I fonlymembers of the community acted on the signals the young person was most likely sending, that suicide could have been prevented.
  • The academic work in boarding school is heavy.
  • The pressures to succeed, get into the best college, and not let parents and others down, combined with the reality of adolescent uncertainties, can create a climate for depression.
  • Depression can lead to suicide.

However, suicide is preventable.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors

Suicide is the 3rd largest killer of young adults between the ages of 15-24. But teen suicide is preventable. Know the warning signs.

The following information from Kids Health tells you what to look for.

"Suicide among teens often happens after a stressful life event, such as problems at school, a breakup

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Is Your Skill Set Still On Release 3.0?

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Is Your Skill Set Still On Release 3.0?
A comprehensive guide for teachers to assess and upgrade their professional skill sets, exploring why continuous professional development is crucial in today's educational landscape. The article discusses the importance of keeping teaching credentials current, creating modern presentation materials, and maintaining updated professional documentation

Is Your Skill Set Still on Release 3.0?

Remember when having a SmartBoard in your classroom made you cutting-edge? When PowerPoint presentations were revolutionary? If these memories feel recent, your professional toolkit might need a significant upgrade. And that's what we aim to show you how to do.

Don't forget that I know what you are dealing with. I've taught English, History, Music, Latin, and Computers. So, I totally understand what you are up against time-wise and everything else-wise.

Old & New Teaching Styles

The Education Evolution

Teaching excellence in 2025 demands a radically different skill set than just five years ago, as this video illustrates. While your core teaching abilities remain valuable, the wrapper around them needs constant refreshing. Consider this: students entering your classroom today have never known a world without AI assistants, voice commands, or instant global connectivity.

Your Professional Upgrade ChecklistCredentials and Certifications

  • When did you last update your teaching credentials?
  • Have you earned micro-credentials in emerging educational technologies?
  • Are your digital literacy certifications current?

Presentation Materials

Gone are the days of static slideshows. Modern educators need:

  • Interactive presentation tools that enable real-time student participation
  • Hybrid-ready materials that work both in-person and virtually
  • Accessibility-compliant content that serves diverse learning needs

Documentation for Success

Your professional portfolio should showcase:

  • Video samples of your teaching
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A To Z Of Boarding Schools

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A To Z Of Boarding Schools
Get the inside scoop on boarding school life with our A-to-Z guide. From academics and athletics to social life and student support, we'll cover all aspects of boarding schools to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're a parent or student, this guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of boarding school life.

A To Z Of Boarding Schools

The world of boarding schools can be daunting for parents and students alike. With so many options available, it's essential to have a comprehensive guide to navigate the complexities of boarding school life. In this article, we'll take you through an A-to-Z guide of boarding schools, covering everything from academics to extracurricular activities.

Canva generated this image.

A - Applying to boarding school

Applying to most boarding schools has become easier in the last 10-15 years. That's because you can apply online at most schools. When schools don't have online applications, they usually have all the application forms and information you need online for you to download.

B - Be aware that diversity is part of boarding schools' DNA in the 21st century.

Yes, back in the 1950s and 1960s, you might have been able to say that boarding schools were elitist. At least, that was the general public's perception. Of course, the media reinforced this perception. However, in the 21st century, boarding schools have made diversity and tolerance the center of their mission and philosophy, as most schools seek to prepare their students for life and work in a global community.

C - Competitive schools

Many parents have grand ideas about which boarding schools they want their children to attend. As a result, they focus on the top 10 schools, which receive ten times as many applicants for whom they have places. Having

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Boarding School Employment: Common Questions And Answers

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Boarding School Employment: Common Questions And Answers
Want a change of pace? Frustrated and overwhelmed by your present teaching position? How about teaching in a boarding school? We answer some of your questions here.

Employment: Common Questions And Answers

Thinking about teaching in a boarding school? Got some questions? In this fictional conversation, a job seeker and I chat about looking for employment in a private school.

Credentials

Q. Do I need a teaching certificate to teach in a private school?

A. Not necessarily. It depends on the school. Some schools will employ you without a teaching certificate with the understanding that you become certified within a stated time frame, typically a year. Job advertisements are usually clear about requirements.

Q. Do I need an education degree to teach in a private school?

A. Most private schools value degrees in a subject more than an education degree. For example, if you are presenting yourself as an English teacher, the school will look for a bachelor's degree with a major in American or English Language and Literature. The teaching skills and methodology that you could learn if you did an education degree will be useful; however, most private schools will require you to teach in their own proprietary way. After all, that's why parents are sending their children to boarding school. They value the curriculum and how it's taught.

Q. Do I need to have a master's degree or a doctorate?

A. Your resume will stand out from the competition when you offer a master's or terminal degree. Once again, schools understand that a highly-credentialed faculty is a powerful asset when it comes to marketing what they do. If you have started work

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