Reflections on Sending Our Daughter to Boarding School

Is online learning not working for you and your son? Are you concerned about his missing out on enrichment and other activities? During these unsettling times when the pandemic keeps reappearing, when you thought it had abated, maybe boarding school is a good education solution for your child. But you will never know until you explore the idea thoroughly. Before beginning your research into boarding schools, tune out the negative things you read about boarding schools. After all, the media tends to focus on sensational stories that don't show boarding schools as they are. See for yourself. A quick call or an email is all it takes to make an appointment for a visit. Cost is another consideration that keeps many parents from considering boarding school education. But boarding school may be more affordable than you think. That's because most schools offer very generous financial aid programs. Any boarding school's admissions staff will be too happy to explain how financial aid works.

Now that those considerations are out of the way, answer these questions to help you make the important decision about sending your child to a residential school.

1. Want to "stretch" your child?

If you are content with the status quo, boarding school is probably not a good idea. Why? Your child will embark on an incredible adventure by going to boarding school. She will be exposed to all kinds of new ideas and different points of view. She can select academic

Your husband has just called to say that he got the promotion. The increase in responsibilities and money makes the move exciting. But it's July. And you will be relocating across the country. What are you going to do about the children's schooling? They have just finished 8th and 10th grade in the local public schools, which are in a really fine district. It's too late to apply to a private school, right?

This scenario gets played out in thousands of households all over the globe. If your spouse works for a multinational firm, chances are that he will have to spend some time abroad. It's also certain that your children will have to move in the middle of an academic year. Business never seems to pay heed to school calendars. Business is business and has a mind of its own.

So, is it too late to get your children into a private school? Absolutely not. And, frankly, if you have any idea that future moves may be in the offing, you need to consider seriously settling your children into boarding school. The stability of boarding school will help insulate your children from the stress and strain of moving.

Admissions After the Deadlines

Truthfully, you will probably not be able to get your children into one of the very selective, highly competitive boarding schools UNLESS you or your spouse attended one. It would certainly be a long shot, and all the planets would have to be aligned, but

By Barbara Kennedy, Director of External Affairs, Baylor School

Choosing a boarding school is a major decision, and prospective families often have similar questions about affordability, student life, athletics, and selecting the right school. The questions below reflect some of the most common concerns families have when exploring boarding schools. The answers have been updated where appropriate to reflect current information for 2026 while preserving the original guidance.

Question 1

Boarding school seems expensive. My parents' combined income is less than $90,000 a year. I am the oldest of three children. I have had a GPA of 3.9 through middle school and 9th grade. I play intramural soccer, had the lead in the spring musical last year, and want to be a physicist. Should I even consider going to a boarding school?

Paying for a boarding school education does require some planning, but it can be manageable, and the investment is invaluable. When considering the cost of boarding school, it is essential to know that need-based financial aid based on a family's income and assets is available at most schools. Many boarding schools have significantly expanded their financial aid budgets in recent years to make their programs accessible to talented students from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Other schools, including Baylor, offer merit scholarships as well. Most schools offer monthly payment plans (administered by the school or an outside agency), allowing families to spread their tuition payments over eight to ten months.

This brief video

Applying to boarding school is an exciting journey, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail.

• Missing key steps in the application process can impact your chances of acceptance.
• Whether you're preparing essays, securing recommendations, or scheduling interviews, staying organized is essential.

As you begin the process of selecting a boarding school for your child, consider the following ten items.

1. Submit your application before the deadline.

Waiting until the last minute to apply is never a good idea.

• Ensure your child's admissions folder is completed well before the deadline.

• Admissions staff are intrinsically well-organized and detail-oriented.

  They will appreciate the care and concern that you have shown in completing your child's file as soon as you can. After all, they can only begin their review process once the file is complete.

• If a school does not have a fixed admissions deadline but instead uses rolling admissions, the same rules of the road apply.

• Submit your application and all the supporting materials as soon as possible.

2. Give recommendation forms to your child's teachers early.

Don't hand the teacher recommendation forms to the teachers the week before they are due.

• That's discourteous. Don't forget to put a stamp on all the return envelopes. Teachers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
• Recommendation forms take time and care to complete.
• Give your child's teachers as much time as you possibly can to accomplish this task.

While this video pertains to the college admissions process,