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Top 5 Reasons To Study Dance At A Boarding School
From meeting world-renowned guest artists to balancing busy rehearsal schedules, students share how boarding school is preparing them to dance professionally.

For dance students with dreams of pursuing their art form professionally, the high school years are a crucial time of preparation. Whether they go to dance camps over the summer or attend competitive dance high schools, many students use this time to take important steps to prepare for higher levels of dance. You may be wondering if you’ve outgrown your local dance studio, or whether you want to continue juggling a hectic schedule that requires you to commute back and forth between your school and your studio. If you’re looking for other options, here are five reasons why you should consider attending a boarding school for dance.

Professional training

The top reason to join a dance boarding high school is the rigor of training you’ll receive. The best dance boarding schools have programs specially designed for students who are interested in dancing in college and/or professionally. The boarding school difference is evident in the caliber of the material you learn, the faculty who work with you, and the fellow students who become your peers.

“My local company was somewhat intense, but I definitely felt that I could be pushed more and I could be challenged more,” says Maxwell Pfluger, a junior at Interlochen Arts Academy majoring in Dance. “I wanted to go to a place that could meet my needs.”

Lindy Sloan, a freshman studying dance at Interlochen, explains another major difference: the opportunity to work

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Why You Need A Business Manager

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Why You Need A Business Manager
Why do you need a business manager as opposed to a bookkeeper? We offer some reasons why.

There's more to being a business manager than paying bills and preparing payroll. A business manager is an essential staff member for the following reasons. According to ChatGPT, business managers are typically in charge of the day-to-day operations of the school, including managing employees, overseeing finances, making strategic decisions, and ensuring that the school is running efficiently and effectively. A business manager is a professional who focuses on the many responsibilities and duties that come with her job. Now, I can already hear some of you owners or heads of small schools thinking that all you need is a part-time bookkeeper. You hired credentialed, experienced teachers, to teach in your school, right? It would help if you did the same thing for the business side of your operation.

I asked ChatGPT why a small private school needed a business manager. Here's what ChatGPT said:

Financial Management: A business manager can help a small private school to manage their finances more efficiently. They can help to create and manage budgets, track expenses, and ensure that the school is using its resources in the most effective way possible.

Strategic Planning: A business manager can also help a small private school to develop a long-term strategic plan. This can include identifying new revenue streams, developing marketing strategies to attract new students, and finding ways to improve the school's overall financial performance.

Administrative Support: A business manager can provide administrative support to the school's leadership team, allowing them to focus on their

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Free Boarding Schools

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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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