We took our eldest daughter off to boarding school in 10th grade. That was back in the 80s. While the times were certainly different from today, our motivation for making such a major decision would be the same in 2026 as it was back then. Let me tell the story that I hope will give you the courage to send your daughter (or son, for that matter) off to boarding school. It's well worth it.
Families today have access to far more information than we did decades ago, including virtual tours, online student panels, and detailed school profiles. Yet the fundamental reasons for choosing boarding school remain remarkably similar: academic opportunity, personal growth, independence, and preparation for college and life beyond high school.
Our Rationale
We were busy parents with careers and two children. The girls were five years apart. One was in junior high. The other was in elementary school. We lived in a little town in northwestern Connecticut. You had to drive ten miles to get to anything. Literally. While the regional high school was doing a good job, the number of academic courses and extracurricular opportunities it could provide for our daughter was limited. Not only that, she had to be driven everywhere to participate in sports or extracurricular activities.
With those factors looming large, we sat down one day with her and asked: "What do you think about going off to boarding school?" There was a rather enthusiastic acceptance of the idea. Probably because she realized that she would no longer be trapped in her circumstances. She would have a chance to see something different. To experience something new.
Parents considering a similar decision today may also find Boarding School Review's guide to Choosing the Right Boarding School helpful when evaluating schools that best match a student's academic interests, personality, and long-term goals.
Our Boarding School Exploration Process
Looking back, I cannot honestly call it a school search process. There was no Internet to search. You had to snail mail or call long-distance, remember that, schools for catalogs. Today, families can research hundreds of boarding schools online, compare programs, attend virtual information sessions, and communicate directly with admission offices within minutes.
We selected Kent School because it was in the town next to us. I knew the headmaster and thought very highly of the school. Still do. Kent was within easy reach but still far enough away that she would feel on her own.
We also chose two other boarding schools to visit and inspect. I recall that they were in the Boston area. One was in the St. Grottlesex group, although I cannot recall which one. It doesn't matter because she was rejected at the Boston schools. Kent, on the other hand, welcomed her with open arms. All the more so since we didn't need any financial aid. Kent was $11,600 a year for tuition, room, and board in those days.
Today, boarding school tuition has increased substantially, but many independent schools also provide generous need-based financial aid and merit opportunities. Families can compare costs and financial aid policies before applying.
Parents beginning their search may also enjoy Boarding School Review's article, Boarding School Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide 2026, which explains tuition assistance, scholarships, and ways families can make boarding school more affordable.
This video offers an overview of Kent School, Kent, Connecticut.
Off to School
That long-awaited Saturday afternoon came quicker than any of us imagined it would. But it was a beautiful September afternoon when we loaded the Dodge Caravan full of her stuff and set off for the girls' campus, which at that time was high on the top of Skiff Mountain. The Dodge had a four-cylinder engine, which was no match for Skiff Mountain Road. That road was designed for goats, not loaded vans. Eventually, we made it to the top, having crawled along in second gear most of the way.
The circle in front of the girls' dorms was full of other vans and station wagons disgorging their daughters and enough possessions for an army. There were hugs and tears, and off we went, leaving our beloved in the hands of others.
The transition to boarding school can be emotional for both students and parents. The National Association of Independent Schools offers guidance and resources that help families understand the benefits of independent school education and prepare for the transition.
The Next Three Years
- Lots of homework.
- Lots of sports.
- Lots of friends.
Of course, since we lived relatively close to Kent, there were lots of quick visits home with her newfound friends to eat Mom's great cooking and do laundry. I believe that I recall being told that Kent had no laundry facilities or that you had to wash your clothes in a stream. Neither was true, of course. Just an excuse to come home for an hour or two.
Kent, however, did insist on its students wielding a mop and a broom. Scouring the lavatories was just part of the founder, Father Sill's character-shaping methodology. Those daily responsibilities taught accountability and respect for the community, lessons that remained valuable long after graduation.
Students interested in residential life may also enjoy Boarding School Review's article, The First 30 Days at Boarding School, which provides a week-by-week guide to helping students adjust to boarding school life.
This video offers another parent's perspective on sending her daughter to boarding school.
The Results
$40,000 later, and graduation was at hand. Another glorious day. Lots of photographs. Fond memories of being ever so proud that she had achieved so much academically. I seem to recall that she graduated fifth in her class. We had sent a small child off to Kent three years earlier. We received back a mature, confident, poised young lady. She was ready to take on anything.
That transformation remains one of the greatest benefits of a boarding school education. While strong academics certainly played a role, living independently, managing daily responsibilities, participating in athletics, building lifelong friendships, and learning to live within a close-knit residential community helped prepare her for college and for life. Those same benefits continue to attract families to boarding schools in 2026.
Parents exploring the long-term benefits of residential education may also find Boarding School Review's article, Why Consider Boarding School? helpful when weighing their educational options.
The National Center for Education Statistics continues to provide data on college readiness, educational attainment, and student outcomes that many families use when researching secondary education options.
Obviously, there's much, much more to the story. But the bottom line is a resounding "Go for it!" if you are thinking of sending your daughter off to boarding school.
Every family's circumstances are different, and boarding school is not the right choice for every student. However, for families seeking a challenging academic environment, meaningful extracurricular opportunities, close faculty mentorship, and a supportive residential community, boarding school continues to offer an educational experience that is difficult to duplicate elsewhere.
The application process has certainly changed since we packed our daughter's belongings into that Dodge Caravan. Today, families can attend virtual admission events, compare schools online, communicate directly with current students, and explore campus life through videos and interactive tours. Even so, the most important part of the decision remains exactly the same: finding a school where your child will thrive academically, socially, and personally.
If you are just beginning your search, Boarding School Review's article, Choosing a School: Comparing Boarding Schools in 2026 provides practical advice on evaluating academic programs, campus culture, extracurricular opportunities, and residential life.
Families planning financially for a boarding school education may also benefit from reading Boarding School Review's Financial Aid for Boarding Schools: 2026 Guide, which explains tuition assistance, need-based aid, and application strategies.
Whether your child attends a school five miles from home or five hundred, the goal remains the same as it was when we made our decision decades ago: to provide an environment where he or she can grow into a confident, capable, compassionate young adult. Looking back, sending our daughter to boarding school was one of the best educational decisions our family ever made.
