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Boarding Schools in America

Boarding schools have been recognized for producing valuable, contributing members to our society for hundreds of years, so it comes as no shock that more parents are vying for their child to secure that last position on the acceptance list. But choosing a boarding school can be daunting task; careful consideration must be made in selecting the right school. You want to make sure that the schools you consider are members of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) as these associations hold their members to a certain quality standards. Their logos should also be easily found on all prospecting school's websites. Also, weight the benefits of attending co-ed vs. single-gender schools, affordable tuition, the age to send the child, and what type (military, religious, problematic, special needs) of school.
  1. Co-ed vs. Single-Gender Schools

    • Co-ed schools provide the backdrop for healthy interpersonal and communication skills between boys and girls. Students are taught to relate with all peers at an early age as preparation for entering post-secondary education, and later, the workforce. Attention is paid to the interaction skills they learn, thereby producing grounded individuals. Schools that are all-girls or all-boys still produce well-rounded students, but the learning structures are more specific for each gender. This type of teaching stresses the bond between all females/males, allowing each gender to grow confident in their own skin. But, no matter what type of school you send your child to, you can rest assured that they will learn the responsibility and leadership skills they need to succeed in life.

    Military Schools vs. College-Preparatory Schools

    • Military schools pride themselves on preparing young adults (or cadets) for the journey into military training. They reinforce the notion of discipline and teamwork, while stressing the need to improve one's survival and tactical skills. These types of schools definitely produce strong individuals and patriots. Preparatory schools, on the other hand, focus on encouraging students to continue on to post-secondary education. These schools are usually linked to a university that takes most of their students upon graduation.

    Religious Schools

    • In terms of boarding schools, religious schools are usually Catholic or Christian. These students still receive the same curriculum that a non-religious school would offer, however the religious schools set apart time for prayer and/or devotion. This can include attending mass, Bible studies, and discussion/small groups. These schools focus on producing high-achieving, spiritually grounded students that will lead with their education of worldly and spiritual texts.

    Age

    • Deciding when to send your child to boarding school is not a decision to be made overnight. Careful consideration must be made to account for their (and your) emotional readiness. But, according to ourkids.net, it all depends on when you feel comfortable sending your child to live and study away from you. Whether you decide to send them in their later high school years, or at the beginning of their educational career, go with what your heart tells you will be the best time to send them.

    Tuition

    • The cost of sending your child to boarding school can range from $12,000 to over $50,000 depending on the age of the student, type of school, their location, and if they are affiliated with any other schools. Although that seems like a large amount for schooling outside of post-secondary education, tuition covers room and board, and meals, and sometimes even a welcome package. Once you've paid the tuition, there is still the cost of uniforms (which may need to be replaced every year of every couple of years), insurance, before- and after-school activities (i.e. soccer, book club, astronomy club), transportation during breaks, and spending money.

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