When parents think about boarding school they often think about the negative portrayals that they see in the media. Let’s be honest, boarding school isn’t always painted in the best light. But the fact stands that boarding school has a huge benefit to the children who are lucky enough to attend.
If you’re on the fence about giving your child the boarding school experience, keep reading. We’re going to outline the benefits of boarding school so you know that you’re making the right decision!
Exceptional Independence
The number one benefit that children gain from attending boarding school is independence. We currently live in a society that cultivates helicopter parenting. That sort of behavior can lead to a lack of independence and complete avoidance of personal responsibility and consequences.
When your child attends boarding school, they are put in an environment of controlled independence. They are responsible for waking up in the morning, doing their own laundry, and ensuring that they get to class on time. The responsibility falls on their shoulders, they’re the ones who face the consequences and the rewards for good behavior.
Deeply Understood Sense of Community
One of the best parts about boarding school is the lifelong connections that come with it. Students are together for the majority of the day, given ample opportunity to interact and make friends.
Many people who have attended boarding school cite the community that they built as one of their favorite parts of attending.
Students share all three meals, they work and play together, and they learn how to build a community together. This is an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else, save for college dormitory life.
Better Academic Opportunities
It’s no secret that students that attend boarding school have access to a much broader academic curriculum. Most boarding schools offer classes beyond that of public and private schooling. You can also create a custom schedule that fits your child’s needs.
In general, class sizes are much smaller as well. This leads to more one-on-one time with the teacher and a more hands-on learning approach. Many boarding schools also have access to cutting edge technology and can introduce new concepts to students much earlier than public and private schools can.
Preparation for Post-Education Life
When a student handles their own education, they leave school much more prepared for the life that comes afterward. Students who graduate from boarding school don’t just get into college, they arrive at college prepared for all the challenges that most students aren’t. This is because they’ve already experienced most of them!
This all comes back to personal responsibility and the sense of independence that boarding school teaches students. Instead of relying on their parents to get to class on time and remember to do their work, they’ve already got the building blocks of success ready to go.
A Broader World Perspective
Many boarding schools, like the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, boast an international student body. You can visit their website to see the pride they take in their school’s diversity.
This means that students can interact with people who come from a different background and culture than they do. Boarding school students come from all walks of life and this provides an experience that public school often doesn’t.
Instead of being educated beside students who all come from the same area, boarding school students come from all over the world. Your child will be introduced to new cultures and world attitudes, leading them to become more responsible and culturally aware citizens by the time they have graduated from school.
Not only will they be prepared for the diversity that comes with college, but they’ll also know how to celebrate it.
More Extra-Curricular Activities
Most boarding schools also have a long list of unique extra-curricular activities. They have something to offer every child.
If your child has the opportunity to attend boarding school, they’ll learn the importance of making friends and trying new things in addition to the independence they’ll gain.
Many schools even arrange for large group activities like weekly ski trips, horseback riding, and golf outings.
Engaged Teachers
Public school teachers are underpaid and overworked and often overloaded with students to care for. Boarding school teachers have much smaller class sizes and can spend more time with your child.
But, boarding school teachers also usually spend mealtimes with the children they teach. They’re typically housed on-campus as well, meaning that they’re available for longer during the day.
Boarding school teachers tend to be passionate about the subject they teach. They are happy and excited to pass that same passion onto their students. They can build close, meaningful relationships with students while helping them achieve their academic goals.
Types of Boarding School
No two boarding schools are the same. Make sure that you do your research before applying for a boarding school.
Some schools are more religious than others and they tend to include a strict dress code and ethics policy. They also involve a lot of religion classes.
There’s also military school, which helps prepare students for a military career. Some boarding schools are designed specifically to prepare students for college as well.
Boarding schools can also be separated by gender. There’s even a few boarding schools that focus on the performing arts!
No matter what your family’s needs are, there is a boarding school that can help meet them. Many offer scholarships as well.
Allow Your Children to Experience the Benefits of Boarding School
These are just a few of the many benefits of boarding school. The schooling of your child is an extremely important decision and not one to be taken lightly. Make sure you do your research and decide whether or not boarding school is right for your child. Use hard facts instead of false media portrayals!
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