Category: Parents

Categories
Parents Students

The Benefits of Boarding School

The Benefits of Boarding School

It’s no secret that boarding schools offer a unique educational experience. But boarding schools are more than a place to sleep and learn. They’re a place where students can grow and develop their full potential, both in their studies and as individuals. Boarding schools create a 24-hour intentional community that has the student’s growth and development at the center. From the day students arrive on campus, they’re surrounded by people who are passionate about their education and dedicated to helping students reach their potential. This kind of support can make all the difference when it comes to raising well-rounded young adults prepared for success in college and beyond.

 

 

Personal Development and Life Skills

One of the most compelling benefits of a boarding school is that it provides a supportive environment for young people to grow. At boarding school, students are surrounded by peers with similar interests and values, and adults who want to see them succeed academically and personally. Boarding school provides, what I like to call, “controlled freedom” which allows students to learn to take on more responsibility for themselves and their decisions. Students get used to making decisions on their own and handling situations independently. Students are taught how to cook, clean their rooms, do their laundry, and study effectively. They also learn to take responsibility for their actions and develop critical life skills such as conflict resolution.

 

Diverse Experiences

Boarding school is often described as an opportunity to experience different ways of thinking, analyzing, and understanding the world around us. Students at boarding schools have access to diverse experiences that help them develop new interests, ideas, skills, and friendships through regular interaction with peers from different backgrounds who have different values. Students also benefit from having faculty members who understand that not all students learn the same way or at the same pace. This allows teachers to identify unique learning styles within each student so they can provide instruction tailored specifically for each student’s needs or interests.

 

Uniqueness

While some schools have traditional academic requirements like AP classes and SAT prep, others may offer independent research projects, community service opportunities, or specialized academic focuses such as fine arts, medicine, entrepreneurship, etc. Each school will have its own focus on what’s important for its students—so it’s important to do your research before choosing which one is right for you! (Be on the lookout for our next blog post which will focus on finding the right boarding school for your student).

 

Activities and Clubs

In addition to graduating with a strong academic foundation, students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles before they graduate from high school. Outside the classroom, there are countless activities and clubs you can join, whether it’s the drama club, a student council committee, swimming, or the soccer team. You will find the perfect fit for your interests and passions at boarding school.

 

 

Ready for More?

Boarding school is a great option for students who are looking to develop their independence and life skills. It can be an ideal setting for young people who want more flexibility than what is offered by traditional high schools. Boarding school helps prepare students for future success in college, careers, and beyond.

Michael Shaver

Michael Shaver, Vice President Market Growth for The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), has over 20 years of admissions and student advising experience, including Berklee College of Music and NYU Abu Dhabi. In his current role at TABS, Michael helps schools and families find the right match. Before joining TABS, Michael worked at the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, where he oversaw EducationUSA advising centers in more than 20 countries. Besides being an expert in admissions, Michael is a boarding school parent as well. His older son went to boarding school and is now a senior in college, and his youngest son is going to a junior boarding school in the U.S. Michael loves to travel for both work and pleasure and has visited over 70 countries and has lived in six countries.

Categories
Parents

The Bonding in Boarding

Building Meaningful Connections with Your Child

Hear from an expert on how to enrich your relationship with your child while giving them the freedom they need to grow.

If you are considering exploring the landscape of boarding school options, you are on the verge of an insightful journey with your child. After eight years of interviewing, reading applications, connecting with prospective families at admissions events, running a dorm, coaching teams, and advising individual kids, I realized one of my favorite aspects about the job was observing the various ways in which parents and kids interacted throughout the application process and once enrolled. Regularly being part of these exchanges often evoked a retrieval of memories from my own boarding school experience, specifically related to my parents and how our relationship reached newer, meaningful levels during those years.

In an attempt to contextualize what this relational evolution feels like prior to doing it yourself, some anecdotes from my time as a boarding school student and professional are below. Consider this a resource, a guideline, or a mini-memoir to reference as you explore new educational territories with your child.

  1. Let Your Child Lead.
    While my parents were literally driving the car, I was driving the process. They functioned more as supporting sounding boards and did not pretend to “know best,” which helped me quickly gain a sense of agency in my decision-making. They asked rather than told and made me feel as though my opinions and feelings mattered. So once I chose to apply and eventually enroll, I was free to own that sense of self-efficacy and pride, knowing that the opportunity was one I sought after myself, not one that was curated for me.
  2. Encourage Introspection.
    There is nothing more rewarding for a parent than engaging your child in a way that elicits authentic responses. I felt heard as a child when this happened, and I felt successful as a mentor when a genuine connection resulted out of actively listening. Engaging your child with questions related to their goals, needs, hopes, feelings and preferences is tremendously beneficial both for the relationship to one another and to the process of finding a new school together. Modeling what it means to be introspective often results in your child developing good habits of self-awareness and reflectiveness – critical in both finding a best-fit school and thriving once enrolled.
  3. Lower the Stakes.
    Far too often as an admission counselor, I would find myself sitting across the room from a petrified child who was unable to articulate a response to an interview question or lacking conversational agility. When fear of failing motivates behavior, the long-term consequence is often toxic. My parents approached this process as exploratory and without specific expectations – they assured me that the possibility of being rejected from a school was: a) not attached to my value as a person or b) a definition of failure. They were proud of me for choosing to try to stretch beyond my comfort zone in the process of doing so and did not put any sort of pressure on me to achieve a specific outcome.
  4. Embrace Discomfort.
    I remember calling home (on my dorm landline!) in my first semester at boarding school and complaining about my advisor; at a later date sharing how I felt the hockey coach wasn’t being fair; and another time being frustrated with my grades. You will also get these calls, but your call to action will be in the form of listening, not fixing. Only much later, in my many years as a dorm head, I discovered a correlation between parents who let their kids struggle and child adaptability. By relinquishing a well-intentioned desire to control or restore comfort, my parents gave me permission to sit in my adversity – it made me feel as though they believed in my ability to problem-solve, but also reminded me they were there to offer support. They made me feel independent, but not alone.
  5. Grow Together.
    In a time of adolescence, when there is often a constant push and pull in the parent/child relationship, for me, living away from home actually brought me closer together with my parents. They would make weekly day trips down (three and a half hours each way) to watch my athletic games. I remember looking forward to showing them a new room arrangement in the dorm, sharing my mom’s brownies with my team, talking about my classes, teaching them about the school traditions and inviting them into my life in a way that felt very different than when I was home, seeing them regularly. I loved that they were interested in my friends, my classes, my mentors and who I was becoming. My appreciation for their ability to “show up” for me but not interfere would make me choose the path I did over and over again.

Boarding school is not for every child, nor does it fit every family circumstance. For those who are curious, however, it is certainly worth exploring. Should you want to continue the conversation with someone who has lived it, worked in it and is now viewing it through the lens of an educational consultant, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me at randi@jsaeducation.com or jump on to the new TABS Connect Worldwide platform.

Have fun!

____

Randi Dumont
Head Educational Consultant & Relational Development Specialist
JSA Education

Categories
Parents

A Boarding Message

We’re All in This Together

Though apart, our tightknit boarding school communities are sticking together.

We know that life as a boarding school student or parent has been greatly affected by the impact of COVID-19. No one could have imagined just a few months ago that boarding schools across the world would be shut, thousands of young people would face the stress and struggle of trying to get home, and pupils would be getting their learning online at home instead of enjoying life in their residence halls at school.

It is natural to be worried at this time. Not just about the health and welfare of family and friends, but also the uncertainty of when schools will reopen and “normal” boarding life can begin again.

Until the danger and impact of COVID-19 has truly passed, it is difficult to answer these questions. Yet despite this uncertainty, there are some things about boarders and boarding schools around the world that we DO know.

A Virtual Hangout with students and teachers of Cate School

Photo courtesy of Cate School

First
Being a boarder means exuding confidence, supporting your friends and community, and being resilient. These are all incredible character qualities that thousands of boarders will be drawing upon to help themselves and others through this challenging time.

Second
Boarding schools were amazing places before this crisis began, and will continue to be when it’s over. No global pandemic will ever daunt the worldwide community of boarding!

And finally…
Boarding school staff care deeply about the young people they look after and support. They remain dedicated to parents and students during this crisis, and look forward to welcoming back their boarders as soon as possible.

We are so proud of our students, faculty and parents who have remained vigilant during this time. Stay safe and healthy. We will see you soon.

Yours,

Dee, Robin, Richard and Pete

Dee Guillemot-Rodgerson, National Co-ordinator, New Zealand Boarding Schools Association, Christchurch, New Zealand 

Robin Fletcher, Chief Executive, Boarding Schools’ Association, London, England 

Richard Stokes, Chief Executive, The Australian Boarding Schools Associations, Australia 

Pete Upham, Executive Director, The Association of Boarding Schools, North Carolina, USA

Categories
Parents

Why Ranking Private Schools Is Misleading

Finding the Best School to Be the Best You

You might find websites that rank secondary schools — usually by a single factor — the average SAT/ACT score of their students or graduates.

We believe this is highly misleading.

To start, there are no criteria guiding how schools report average SAT/ACT scores. While schools aim to be accurate, they may measure differently, so comparisons are inaccurate.

But in the larger picture — each school is independent, with its own history, mission, and a rich variety of programs and settings that make it completely unique.

To compare secondary schools by a single measure misses the whole point.

You can’t be measured by a single criterion and neither can the school that’s going to provide you with out-of-this-world opportunities — and the things you need to thrive, grow and demonstrate your abilities.

SAT/ACT score is far from the most important factor in determining how prepared a student is for college or university…

Two girls at boarding school smiling while taking a selfie

Boarding schools build students’ abilities to conquer new challenges, become advocates for themselves, and chart their own paths in new waters.

By the time university comes around, boarding school students are ready to advance themselves creatively, intellectually, athletically, inventively…not simply tackle transition to residential life.

Finding the best school is all about finding the right fit — to help you be the very best you

TABS offers a robust School Finder where you can enter numerous criteria about what you’re looking for in a school.

And we offer the ability to compare schools — by multiple factors — that make a real difference in the quality and character of your experience.

Find Schools Near You

As always, send us a note with your questions at questions@TABS.org anytime!

Categories
Parents

Boarding Schools: The Antidote to Outsourced Parenting

Boarding School & Mindfulness

Mindfulness matters at every age. Boarding schools provide the support teens need to start healthy habits — for their bodies and minds — early.

There’s nothing more American than branding the strategies, tools and decisions that parents are forced to make each and every day. From the way newborns are fed to the schools and extracurriculars you choose, it’s easy to feel scrutinized. More and more parents are turning to others to show them the way via the aptly named notion of “outsourced parenting.”

The need to do more with less — less time and fewer resources — has mandated that parents become more efficient. There’s an app for everything you need, from carpooling and meal planning to help with homework. For most parents, this is a welcome aid when you’re so frequently required to be in multiple places at once. When does it become too much? When does the outsourcing create an insurmountable illusion that you’re simply not doing enough for your children yourself?

“The need to do more with less — less time and fewer resources — has mandated that parents become more efficient.”

You’ll do whatever you need to support your children’s growth and development, but who has time to be the math tutor, SAT prep guide, lacrosse coach, ballet instructor, college adviser or (and!) youth group leader? As your children approach high school and the years most crucial to setting them up for success in all areas of their future lives, there is no doubt you want to do what’s best for them. With increasing pressure and decreasing time, what’s the solution?

Boarding schools offer the antidote to a complicated, piecemeal compilation of outsourced parenting responsibilities. Instead of trying to vet the right people from whom you can trust your precious offspring will learn, boarding schools offer the best of the best, in one safe and supportive environment.

“Instead of trying to vet the right people from whom you can trust your precious offspring will learn, boarding schools offer the best of the best, in one safe and supportive environment.”

Boarding schools have long been lauded for their ability to truly cultivate well-rounded young women and men — preparing them to enter college and real life with all of the skills they’ll need. Autonomy is encouraged, independence is imperative, and support is plentiful. The combination of world-class academics, impassioned professors and mentors and incredible litany of extracurricular activities elevates the boarding school experience, of course, but the true difference is the ability to find all of this in one place. When you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to get your child to ballet or whether he’s prepared for a calculus exam, you’re free to strengthen your parental bond in more important ways.

“…the true difference is the ability to find all of this in one place.”

To be clear, there isn’t anything wrong with outsourced parenting. Asking for and finding help when you need it is an important life skill — one which you can demonstrate to the young minds you’re raising by choosing the right things to outsource. Finding the right boarding school for your child allows you to shift your focus from logistics to forming a relationship that will segue into adulthood.

Outside of your home, boarding school is the second best place for your child to grow, mature and acquire unparalleled confidence, while you cheer them on as their parent: not their Uber driver, project manager or 24-hour laundry service. Ready For More? Sign up to receive helpful articles like this right to your inbox, or explore boarding schools near you.

Categories
Parents

Bonding While Boarding: Developing a Meaningful Relationship with Your Teen

Boarding Schools Mean Better Relationships

It’s hard to figure out how to be a parent and a friend. Boarding schools help you be both. Here’s how.

It happens all at once — your chubby-cheeked, freckle-faced kiddo has turned into a teenager. Their interests, language and even clothing can change in an instant! But it doesn’t change the fact that they’re your child, and you will always want what’s best for them. As it turns out, they want what’s best for them, too. They may just go about it differently than you.

In Steven James and David Thomas’s Wild Things—The Art of Nurturing Boys, they highlight a notion that is obvious, but often overlooked: teenagers shift their focus from their parents to other areas of influence, including teachers, coaches and peers. That may seem like a huge obstacle if you’re trying to connect with your teens. Enter boarding school.

Respect Goes Both Ways

From the first consideration of boarding school, the decision to attend a boarding school is not accidental or happenstance. Joining forces on this intentional choice is just one step down the path to mutual understanding and appreciation. By demonstrating trust in your student’s ability to thrive in such an independent environment, you’re opening the door for them to reciprocate that trust.

“Without feeling like their parents are breathing down their necks, teens are more likely to open up.”

Renowned adolescent psychiatrist Meg van Achterberg told the Washington Post in their article 7 mistakes parents make with teens that talking to your children in a respectful tone is absolutely crucial to a successful relationship. “Mutual respect is so important to teens,” says van Achterberg. A simple and perhaps obvious concept that still eludes so many parents. When your student steps onto their boarding school campus, they immediately take accountability for their academics, extracurricular activities and daily life in a way that is only possible when living away from their safety net. In that moment, respect is inherent.

 

You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone

Whether you feel ready to ship off your youth (and their angsty attitudes right along with them) now or are grappling with how you’ll feel once your chicks have flown the coop, it’s difficult to imagine what life might be like without them around. One amazing outcome of boarding schools is that both parents and students find that they’re able to forge a deeper connection than if they’d waited for the college years to instill independence.

“…you know that they’re learning independence in a safe space, so you’re more willing to trust them.”

College can be an overwhelming place to claim independence and can often happen at a time when teenagers think that they’re ready to sever ties with their parents. By beginning the process of encouraging independence while still providing guidance and support at an earlier age, your relationship can reach a beautiful balance. They know you’re there to help them and may be more willing to ask for it and, in turn, you know that they’re learning independence in a safe space, so you’re more willing to trust them.

Location is Everything

It’s clear that timing and location are key elements to finding good footing with your teenager, but even the best-laid plans can fail in execution. The failsafe of the incredible staff surrounding your student at a boarding school is one that will help you sleep soundly each night. Knowing that you’re supported by talented mentors who specialize in adolescent psychology and behavior helps you let go of the reins a bit and focus on the more fun aspects of your teenager’s life.

“The failsafe of the incredible staff surrounding your student at a boarding school is one that will help you sleep soundly each night.”

In a study we conducted to reveal The Truth About Boarding Schools, 86% of students reported that they were satisfied with their family lives. No coincidence there. Absence can make the heart grow fonder, while intentional and meaningful conversations can make the relationships even stronger. Without feeling like their parents are breathing down their necks, teens are more likely to open up. Of course, we can’t guarantee that they’ll want to tell you everything, but we sure can provide an environment that will make them eager to share!

You’ve probably got questions, and we’ve got answers! Find the right boarding school for your student or view our FAQs.

Categories
Parents

5 Reasons An All Boys’ School Will Help Your Son Thrive

students laughing at an all boys' school

An All Boys Education Just Might Be the Answer

Boys’ brains are a different entity, so why do we insist on trying to educate them the same way as girls? Five reasons we think a same-sex education is important for young men.

If you find yourself considering an all-boys education, you are likely to find a lot of research supporting the benefits this can provide a developing male mind. With boys being more likely than girls to suffer from learning disabilities and accounting for 90% of disciplinary referrals, the statistics offer compelling support that a traditional education system isn’t set up to promote learning in young men.1

Perhaps even more convincing are the amazing examples that prove just how successful these all-boys schools can be. Boys do better when they’re in an environment predisposed to expect more of them, as clearly evidenced by the impressive college placement rates for single-sex schools. Whatever your reasons for researching boys’ boarding schools, here are our top five factors that set an all-male education apart.

students laughing at an all boys' schoolGeorgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda, Maryland)

 

Science is a very gray matter.

As mentioned above, there is nothing but data, research and reports that indicate just how different a young male’s developing brain is from that of his female counterpart. Boys’ brains are generally comprised of six and a half times more gray matter than girls’. This information-processing resource sets guys up for success in certain areas, like science and math, but can make it difficult for them to connect. In an all-boys boarding school, class structures and learning environments can be tailored to help students take advantage of their natural strengths while supplementing their areas of weakness.

Boys out on a hike at boarding schoolSt. George’s School (Vancouver, British Columbia)

 

Paying attention isn’t easy.

Among the array of learning disabilities from which boys suffer, many affect their focus. The sheer amount of energy that a young man possesses can make sitting in a classroom for eight hours a day nearly impossible — it’s no surprise that behavior becomes an issue. Through a unique combination of clearly defined expectations and the ability to self-regulate, boarding schools for boys give them the opportunity to work, learn, grow and mature at their own pace.

Two boys meditating at boarding schoolMcCallie School (Chattanooga, Tennessee)

 

Nap time isn’t just for kindergarten.

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so easy for a guy to doze off, we’ve got an answer: the male brain needs rest in order to recharge. A great excuse to take a nap, sure, but when it comes to traditional schools, this is largely ignored. In all-male curriculums, there are periods of rest inherently built into each day so that each student can maximize his learning potential.

Boy putting a bridle on his horse at an All-boys boarding schoolMissouri Military Academy (Mexico, Missouri)

 

The freedom to be “me.”

While schools generally report that girls are more likely to be bullied and boys are more likely to do the bullying, that doesn’t render them immune to the harsh critiques of their classmates. Oftentimes, boys are expected to conform even more than young women or else risk being misunderstood at best, and mocked at worst. Without the added pressure of the opposite sex, young men are able to explore interests and express feelings in a safe and secure learning environment without fear of judgment.

Students helping one another tie a tie at an all-boys boarding schoolAvon Old Farms School (Avon, Connecticut)

 

Boys will be…men.

It’s important to set expectations for all children in the prime of their education, but there is often the accepted notion that “boys will be boys.” That’s not the case at an all-male boarding school, with a curriculum rooted in discipline and steeped with the right kind of example and support. There is no better way to prepare a young man for a bright future than to put him in an environment that demands it of him. Boarding schools are uniquely designed to help young men thrive while giving them the guidance and support they need as children and students.

The Association of Boarding Schools is ready, willing and able to help you find an all boys’ boarding school that is right for your family and your student. Whether he wants to take advantage of outdoor adventures under the watchful eyes of professionals or experience world-class academics without worrying about what “the girls” think, there is something for every boy.

1The Science Behind the Male Brain, The Association of Boarding Schools
Categories
College Parents

Transitioning to College Can Be Easy—if You’re a Boarding School Kid

Boarding School is the Best College Prep

A proud 2018 Midland School graduate shares how his boarding school experience prepared him to thrive after finishing his freshman year at University of California Pomona.

In his four years at Midland School, David D’Attile spent his days on a campus inspired by the concept that it’s each citizen’s responsibility to keep the community running. From tending gardens to stocking the furnaces with freshly chopped firewood, this experience defined a work ethic that can’t be ignored.

The opportunity to take on multiple leadership roles was abundant, and he took advantage of those opportunities as they arose. In a small community, you make your mark by your contributions, and it’s those moments that build the skills your children really need to succeed in college.

David and his dog at boarding school

David reflected on how boarding school contributed to a seamless college transition:

“I learned in high school how to be a member of a community, how to think, how to organize my time and how to express myself. I realized at college that not everyone gained those skills in high school—that many smart kids here had parents who managed almost every aspect of their lives for them when they were in high school.

“So, my transition in terms of time management, handling new social settings and understanding how to react to stressful situations was pretty smooth. It’s been really nice to focus on my academics here in college, and really dig deeper into the computer science and technology topics that interest me. I’ve had some amazing professors this year and been introduced to some really cool coursework.”

High school is a time of formative change. How will your student be challenged, supported and inspired? Find out how boarding school can prepare your child for the future they deserve.

Categories
Parents

How an All-Girls Education Can Make All the Difference

Is An All Girls’ Education the Answer?

When we think about our daughters’ futures, we can all agree that we’ll do whatever we can to empower them. All girls’ boarding schools just might be the perfect place to do that.
The stats are stacking up and the verdict is in, women are staking their claim in spaces long dominated by men and demanding equality. How do we prepare our own daughters to position themselves at the head of the table? While it may seem counterintuitive to remove males from the equation, we believe that the power of a female-first education is the best first step on the road to professional success. North America is home to some of the world’s leading girls’ boarding schools, providing a learning environment that is equal parts challenging and supportive. Want proof? Here are nine compelling reasons that an all-girls education can set your daughter up for the job she wants with the pay and opportunity she deserves.
  1. Girls’ school graduates are six times more likely to consider majoring in math, science and technology compared to girls who attend coed schools.1
  2. Women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 29% of the science and engineering workforce.2
  3. Almost 80% of all girls’ school students believe their classes challenge them to achieve their full academic potential compared to 72.3% of girls at coed independent and just 44.3% at coed public schools.1
  4. When asked about their ability to work and live in a diverse society, alumnae from all-girls schools are nearly 10% more likely than female graduates of coed schools to have the goal of helping promote racial understanding.3
  5. 90% of those attending girls’ schools report belonging to a community organization such as a charitable, civic or educational group or arts association.1
  6. 3/4 of girls’ school grads consider college a stepping stone to graduate school.1
  7. 93% of girls’ school grads say they were offered greater leadership opportunities than peers at coed schools.1
  8. 80% have held leadership positions since graduating from high school.1
  9. 64.2% of girls’ school graduates assess their writing as high, while just 58.8% of women graduates of coed schools consider themselves skilled writers.1
Explore All-Girls’ Boarding Schools These numbers make it easy to see why choosing an all girls experience may be the right one, especially for your daughters’ future goals. What they don’t address are the emotional and interpersonal advantages of this kind of education, of which there are many. Girls are empowered to become confident young women without the distraction or judgment of adolescent boys. They are enabled to take positions of leadership, on everything from student government to flag football and they rarely, if ever, miss the boys. After all, they have their whole lives ahead of them. Let’s make sure they’re ready to make them the best lives possible. Are you considering whether boarding school is right for your daughter? Check out our FAQs, explore the uncovered truth about boarding school, or listen to the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools PEP Talks: Podcast on Educational Possibilities.

1 National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, including a 2000 and 2005 study conducted for NCGS by the Goodman Research Group of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Women Graduates of Single-Sex and Coeducational High Schools: Differences in their Characteristics and the Transition to College, Linda J. Sax, Ph.D., UCLA and Dr. Richard A. Holmgren, Allegheny College; Steeped in Learning: The Student Experience at All-Girls Schools

2 National Girls Collaborative Project, Finding STEM’s ‘Gone Girls’: Why Women Innovators Need a New Deal

3 NCGS commissioned study, Fostering Academic and Social Engagement: An Investigation into the Effects of All-Girls Education in the Transition to University

Categories
Parents

Boarding Schools Build the Resilience that Your Child Needs

Building Resilience at Boarding School

It’s more than an education. It’s a 360 degree experience that provides a world of difference.

The real world can be a scary concept—and place—especially when we consider our precious children entering it someday. You’ve considered their academic future, but what other steps can you take to prepare your son or daughter for how to handle real life? The good news? Boarding school can help you cultivate your child’s skills both in and out of the classroom.

It’s hard to put a finger on what, exactly, it takes for a person to thrive in their setting. However, we can all agree that resilience is one of the most important traits someone can have in their arsenal. The capacity to bounce back from even the most minor setbacks can make the difference between trying that one extra time, and sometimes all it takes is that one extra time.

How does a boarding school experience help create the courage and confidence needed to be willing to try new things? Here are the three ways that boarding schools are uniquely designed to instill these lifelong skills.

Independence and Autonomy Meet Cohabitation

Boarding students see more of their peers than those in a traditional school setting. It’s imperative that they learn how to maintain their own schedule while living, learning and residing among friends. Learning to adjust their behavior and even make small shifts can set them up to thrive in an eclectic work environment.

Critical thinking and decision making is something adults are bombarded with every hour of every day. From what we choose to fuel our bodies with to how we prioritize our housekeeping chores, it’s practice that makes as close to perfection as possible. Your student will practice these life skills each day among students with whom they’re forging life-long friendships.

Responsibility and Self-Discipline with Support

The boarding school experience is, in a word, immersive. From academics and extracurriculars to the sense of social community, your child will have real-life responsibilities with real-life consequences. It’s not a coincidence that many boarding school alumni go on to positions of leadership and experience professional success.

Because students are engaged with their community by design; they’re predisposed to paying attention to the way these communities succeed. They experience, first hand, how decisions can impact those around them and are encouraged to participate in finding solutions.

Risks, Rewards and Finding the Right Balance

Studies are emerging almost daily detailing how critical it is for children to practice risk-taking and pushing themselves. The best way to build resilience isn’t always a comfortable one. Boarding school presents opportunities for students to test their boundaries in a supportive environment.

Living away from home is already a risk. Making the choice to take that leap shows that you and your students value experience. Boarding school is full of chances to try new things and, in fact, often times it’s required. But there’s always the safety net of passionate experts to guide them through these experiences. Developing in this appropriate space arms your student with resilience he or she will need to take risks at the right moments in adulthood.

Are you ready to take that step? Are you ready for more? If you have more questions, try our Why Boarding School webinar or explore the FAQs on our site.