All boarding schools will boast of low teacher to student ratios, the strength of their academic courses, and the fact that their students always go on to achieve success in college.
But how do you know which boarding school is right for your child?
In addition to things such as geography, school size, a degree of formality, and school history, you should look at the following items before deciding on which boarding school to enroll your child in.
1. The Teachers
It’s not enough to know that all the teachers instructing students at a boarding school have higher degrees, are passionate about their subjects, or live on campus. Dig a little deeper if you can and find out what the administrative staff looks for when hiring a new teacher.
Adding to that, ask some of the existing students and faculty what they think about the teachers at the school. This is where you are likely to get honest answers so you can decide whether your child will enjoy attending or not.
2. The Program
You want your child to attend the best boarding school possible, that much is true. But it can be easy to focus solely on how they will prepare your child for college and lose sight of everything else.
Make sure to see what the athletics department is like if your child likes sports, or what kind of performing arts program is offered if your child prefers creativity. Also, find out whether there are AP or Honors courses available.
There is much more that goes into a school curriculum than just college prep. In fact, the overall programs and courses made available to students are what shape students into well-rounded adults ready to master anything.
The goal here is to make sure the boarding school you select for your child focuses on the journey and not just the outcome.
3. The Advisors
Advising in boarding school is essential for your child once they reach graduation day. After all, the next step is usually college and figuring out which college to attend can be challenging for students.
Find out how often advisors meet with students, how they help them shape their goals for the future, and what role they’ll play in helping your child choose a university to attend.
You want to make sure your child’s advisor is involved in every student’s life, one-on-one, and has a personal connection with each student. You also want to ensure the advisor keeps in contact with parents regarding a student’s progress and plans.
If you can, talk with parents of current students and get a feel for how the advising process works to make sure it’s what you and your child need for the best future possible.
4. The Resources
Part of paying the tuition for your child to attend boarding school is the exclusive access to tools and resources many public schools just cannot offer their students.
Find out how often students work together, what tools the library offers, how often students can get in touch with faculty outside of school hours, and who shapes the curriculum that all students are required to complete before graduation.
Make sure the resources available to students are there and that your money is well spent. After all, that’s why you scope out which boarding school is the best for your child.
In the end, there is a lot that goes into choosing which boarding school is best for your child. But sometimes it’s what’s beneath the surface that makes the most significant difference.