Emerging Challenges for Boarding Schools

We live in the misinformation and disinformation age. That applies to boarding schools as it does to anything you can think of. While I've previously written about boarding school misconceptions in Boarding School Myths, I thought it would be helpful to parents investigating sending their child to a residential school. After all, your child will hear a chorus of misconceptions on social media before you tell her the facts. That's the downside of our receiving information and opinion from social media. Journalism investigates. Social media postulates.

The History of Boarding Schools

The history of boarding schools in the United States is as complex as it is profound. They originated in the colonial period, but their importance grew significantly during the 18th and 19th centuries. The first boarding schools were established by religious groups aiming to provide education to the children of the wealthy elite, often integrating religious teachings with a more traditional curriculum. Many of these early boarding schools were single-gender institutions, instilling a rigidly structured environment that shaped young people according to the societal expectations of the time.

President George Washington visited the Academy during its first year, and spoke in 1789 as part of his tour of New England.

Source: History of Phillips Andover Academy

The 19th century saw the emergence of Native American boarding schools, a less lauded chapter in the history of boarding schools in the U.S. This system was an attempt by the U.S. government to assimilate Native American

Boarding School Commercials

Boarding schools come in several different formats. There are single-sex schools for boys and for girls. There are military schools. Several schools offer specialized instruction for students with learning differences. Others have strong sports or arts programs. So, to help you choose the type of boarding school that meets your needs and requirements, here are some commercials for each kind of school. After reading these, I suggest you explore the types of schools that interest you using the powerful search tool we have built into the splash page of this site.

Boys' Schools

"Unleash Their Potential at Our Boys' Boarding School!"

Are you looking for a school that understands and caters to the unique needs and strengths of your son? Look no further! Our Boys' Boarding School offers an environment designed specifically for boys to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Here's why you should consider sending your son to our school:

Tailored Education Our curriculum is designed with a focus on boys' learning styles, encouraging active engagement and hands-on experiences. We provide a challenging academic program that nurtures their intellectual growth and fosters critical thinking skills.

Positive Male Role Models Our dedicated faculty and staff create a supportive atmosphere where boys can develop healthy relationships with positive male role models. These mentors understand the specific needs of boys and provide guidance, encouragement, and mentorship throughout their educational journey.

Character Development We believe in instilling strong values and character traits in our students. Through leadership programs,

When searching on Google, how often do you venture beyond the first page of results? Do you click on the top-ranking website? Statistics show that 27.6% of people click on the first result they see on Google. So, the burning question is: How can you position your school in that coveted #1 spot?

The answer lies in implementing effective search engine optimization (SEO) techniques for your school to rank highly on specific keywords. SEO involves tailoring your website to meet the criteria that Google considers when ranking websites. SEO is one of the most powerful tools for boosting your school’s enrollment marketing strategy.

First, what is a keyword? A keyword is anything a user searches on Google. When parents search “private school in Los Angeles,” you want to ensure you rank well on that keyword.

You might wonder if you need to be an SEO expert to improve your website's visibility and increase your keyword ranking. Fortunately, the answer is no! A significant portion of SEO can be accomplished organically by having a well-designed website and understanding the basics of what to do and what not to do.

Here are some top SEO to-dos and not to-dos to help reach that coveted #1 spot for school marketers.

1. Content Is SO Important
   
   This cannot be understated. If your site hasn't been updated recently and lacks substantial written content, your first step is to (re) write fresh and engaging content. Google

Navigating Crisis: Best Practices in Public Relations for Boarding Schools

The chances of a boarding school head of school having to handle a crisis are fairly high. That's because of the sheer size of the school community. The typical American boarding school has between 150 and 350 students. Some schools are larger. Some are smaller. So, given the number of people involved, it's simply inevitable that incidents will happen. Minor incidents can usually be handled quickly and without adverse publicity. But what happens when a fire breaks out in the science lab, and three students suffer smoke inhalation? Or worse yet, the school bus carrying the girl's field hockey team blows a tire and crashes?

Handling a crisis at a boarding school requires effective communication and strategic public relations to safeguard the institution's reputation and maintain trust within the community. This article will explore best practices for engaging with the community, parents, and the media during a crisis. Additionally, we will examine examples of successful and unsatisfactory crisis responses and emphasize the perils of stonewalling.

Engaging with the Community

During a crisis, it is crucial to establish open and transparent lines of communication with your community. You can achieve this through proactive measures such as holding town hall meetings, organizing information sessions, and leveraging digital platforms. These efforts demonstrate the school's commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring the well-being of students. In addition, timely updates, clear information, and empathetic messaging are essential to foster