Choosing a boarding school is an important decision that affects both parents and children. It is because of this that deciding where to go can’t be taken too lightly. Instead, as a parent, you must weigh your options, investigate your possibilities, and choose whichever academy most closely matches the ideals you hold so highly for your kids.
No one can make this decision for you, though your child may like to have a little say orif they’re teenagersa lot. There are several questions to consider before signing on the proverbial dotted line.
Where is the Boarding School Located?
The location of the boarding school is, perhaps, one of the largest factors you’ll want to weigh. Some parents prefer that their child stay within visiting distance and choose to send them somewhere in the state (or a nearby state) that they can access by car. Proximity to a parent’s residence must also be considered for children who are on the five-day per week boarding plan (as opposed to seven) as these children will need a place for weekend residence.
What is the Cost of Boarding School?
According to Business Insider, the most expensive boarding schools in the United States can have tuition well into fifty thousand per year and the highest international ones can top 100,000 per year. In other words, the cost of boarding school isn’t exactly nickels and pennies. The tuition of each individual school is definitely something you’ll want to consider, as well as scholarships awarded and financial aid available.
What Kind of Experience Will My Child Have?
Once you’ve gotten logistics and finances out of the way, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty, the true elements of a boarding school. In other words, it’s time to concentrate on exactly what an educational facility can offer your child.
Three questions you should ask in regard to this include: what is the school’s educational philosophy? What are the qualifications of its teachers and staff? What facilities are available to help, instruct, or counsel students?
By understanding a school’s educational philosophy, you will be better able to gauge how instruction is taught, how students are tested, and their process of learning. You will also be able to fully understand what will be expected of your child.
Teacher and Staff Qualifications
The importance of the qualifications of teachers and staff often speaks for itself. By learning about the staff, their degrees, and their backgrounds, you can decide for yourself if they are people you believe are able to best teach students. Since boarding school is not cheap, you want to be certain that you’re getting your money’s worth.
The facilities and resources available to your child are the final leg and can often mean the difference between a so-so education and a remarkable one. The best boarding school for your child will help them hone their talents. If your child is a gifted musician, you’ll want a school with good musical resources. If your child is the next Michael Jordan, you’ll want one that excels at athletics.
If your child is a future scientist, you’ll want a school with state-of-the-art facilities. Visiting each academy can help you see for yourself if they have all the things your child deserves.
