Getting Started

Part of the fun of parenting is that there is no owner's manual issued when your child is born. You and I buy cars, televisions, and computers with reams of documentation. But nothing came with your daughter or mine. You had to rely on your instincts, judgment, and common sense in order to raise her to become the young adult who now is poised to head off on a great adventure, namely, going off to boarding school.

Your daughter is unique. So are boarding schools. While no two schools are alike, they all share a common aim: to educate your daughter academically, spiritually, and athletically. They strive to build on the solid foundation which you have so lovingly laid over these past fourteen or fifteen years. Now it is time to let her go and advance and grow in this next important stage of her maturation.

Still, all of us parents approach the process of finding the right school with more than a little trepidation. Questions keep popping up. Some questions even nag a bit.

"How do I know which boarding school is the best one for her?"

"How can I compare schools that all seem so wonderful yet are so different?"

"How do I know that she will be prepared properly for college work?"

"Will the school see the potential which I see in my daughter or will she be just another child occupying a place?"

Take a deep breath. Trust your instincts.

Choosing a School: DO's and DON'TS

Choosing the right boarding school is a major milestone for any family.

• The process can feel overwhelming, with countless factors to consider, from academics and campus life to logistics and your child’s unique needs.
• In this article, we break down the essential dos and don’ts of school selection, drawing on years of experience and insights to help you make a confident, informed decision.

Here are some considerations to ponder whilst choosing schools and when your child is actually away at school.

DO: Visit schools.

Visiting schools takes a lot of time and effort.

• It is, however, one of the most important parts of the school selection process.
• Use the search tools on this site to develop a preliminary list of schools that interest you and your child.
• If you are located overseas, be sure to research flights to major ports of entry, such as Seattle and Los Angeles on the west coast and Boston, New York, Atlanta, and Miami on the east coast, and Denver and Chicago in the western and midwestern parts of the country.

If you have to make an emergency trip to your child's school, you will understand why this step is so important.

• Once you have developed your preliminary list, refine it to a shortlist of 3-5 schools.
• Then visit these schools to determine if they are indeed a good fit for your

When Should I Go Off to Boarding School?

Does it matter when you go off to boarding school? What is the most common point of entry? Are there any advantages to entering 9th grade versus entering 10th grade? What about attending boarding school just for 11th grade or 12th grade? Does that make sense? Is it even possible? The answers to these questions depend on you and your circumstances.

10th Grade Entry and Academics

The most common entry point for American college prep boarding schools is 10th grade. That makes sense for many students because college preparatory studies usually cover a three-year cycle. Most schools follow the Advanced Placement or AP program. This begins in 10th grade, as a rule, and ends in May of the senior year when students take the national AP examinations. The AP courses vary from school to school, so be sure to scrutinize the academic curricula carefully as you search for the right boarding school for your child. While most boarding schools will offer ten to fifteen AP subjects, many frequently offer highly specialized AP courses such as Mandarin and Japanese. These AP courses are difficult to find in many private schools. They also are not commonly found in public schools.

10th grade is also a sensible entry point at boarding schools that offer the IB or International Baccalaureate programme. The IB programme has many program-specific features, and it is best to start at least by 10th grade.

A

Mastering the Boarding School Selection Process: A 5-Step Guide

Choosing a boarding or private day school is a process involving several steps.

• Fortunately for you and me, the web makes the first step much easier.
• Sites like Boarding School Review and Private School Review take the work out of finding schools.
• Use our Applications Calendar to keep you organized.

Step 1: Identify Schools

Let your imagination and wishes run wild at this stage.

• Look at any and every school that catches your fancy.
• Take time to explore each school's website.
• Many of them have excellent video tours.
• Read what the students have to say about their school.

Both Boarding School Review and Private School Review have student comments.

• Many school websites have comments as well, although you probably will find that those comments are pretty positive.
• Boarding School Review and Private School Review do not filter student comments.

Bookmark school web addresses or swipe and paste the URLs into a spreadsheet.

• That makes the next step in the process easy.
• You should end up with a list of 15-20 schools, but don't worry if you have more than that.

Don't worry at this stage about which school is the best one for your child. More about how to deal with that question later.

Step 2: Narrow Your List

Narrowing

Parents considering private or independent schools for the first time can find the process daunting. If completely new to independent education, one can expend much energy working to learn the vocabulary and ways of independent schools all before focusing on the most important piece of the equation, your student. The school search is akin to a life-size jigsaw puzzle in which the objective is to find the best fit between school and student. No two are alike and dovetailing the talents of school and student is difficult even for the experienced parent. The expertise and services of an educational consultant can help families find the best school for their children.

What An Educational Consultant Can Help With

Each family's unique setting and student determine the exact role that a consultant plays in the school search. IECA educational consultants are credentialed professionals- members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)- who add expertise and independent judgment to a family's school search.

A consultant brings clear eyes to a school search. A consultant's perspective helps a family set aside biases and preconceived expectations and notions in favor of clear examination and what is best for the student.

Using his/her broad vision and expertise, a consultant may shape all or some of a family's school application plan. Most importantly, the consultant can see and think critically about the family, student, and school choices, providing guidance driven and shaped by what's best for the student. An educational consultant