Confused about whether you should send your child to a boarding school? Here are 6 ways boarding schools can help your child’s development

here are many reasons families consider boarding schools abroad for their children. These range from personal family situations to the desire to provide a better learning environment for their child. Below we outline what boarding schools can offer for an overall development of your child:

1.  Extensive infrastructure

Boarding schools abroad boast excellent infrastructure. For example, Charterhouse School, in the UK is a 400-year old boarding school, where students have access to nine cricket squares, a 9-hole golf course, 14 grass football pitches, a fully functional theatre as well as a newly opened Studio-a spacious purpose-built art facility, all on campus. In cities such as Mumbai, traffic can limit the number of activities in which children can participate.

“As Jash is interested in golf and is also a strong student academically, Charterhouse was a great option. Not only can he pursue golf and play in tournaments across Europe, but Jash is also in a rigorous environment academically, so he can excel there too. It’s a win-win!” says Minal Parekh, whose son just started at Charterhouse in grade 11 last month.

2. Specialised programmes

Some boarding schools offer specialised programs, making them an attractive option for parents. Brehm Preparatory School in Illinois, for example, offers programs for students with learning disabilities.

“Brehm Preparatory School supported our son’s learning differences with excellent staff and facilities unmatched by anything available closer to home,” says G Singh.

For children who are passionate about sustainability and energy, Hawaii Preparatory Academy offers a learning environment with access to its state-of-the-art Energy Lab where students collaborate on meaningful projects and research.

3. STEPPING STONE TO COLLEGE

Boarding schools abroad offer a safe and supervised environment for students to learn about a new culture, become more independent and flourish in an international environment.

“My two years at Sevenoaks School were invaluable to my years at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The transition from school to college was seamless as I was used to living on my own and had learned how to manage my time and prioritize,” says Sanjana Shah, who graduated with a degree in Economics from LSE.

4. Accessing better colleges

Highly ranked boarding schools in the UK and US are often considered feeder schools to top global universities.

For example, both Philips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School, located in New Hampshire, USA send about 30% of their students to Ivy League colleges annually. In the UK, Eton sends about 26% of its students to Oxford or Cambridge each year.

Parents use these boarding schools as a means for their children to gain the best access to the most respected and reputed universities around the World.

5. Avoid tuitions

The tuition culture is thriving all across India, with classes opening on every street corner. This parallel schooling system, where five out of 10 Indian students are enrolled in supplemental academic programs can lead to students being overly stressed and unmotivated.

“I was fed up with the tuition culture in Mumbai. I wanted my son to be in an environment where he enjoyed learning and the focus was not only on preparing for a board exam,” says Sheetal Vora whose son completed 11th and 12th grade at the Woodstock School in Mussoorie.

At boarding school, students cannot take private tuitions and must lean on their teachers for extra support, making them more independent learners.

6. Personal family situations

Parents who are divorced or who need to constantly travel for work might not be able to provide a stable environment for their child’s education. Boarding schools offer excellent pastoral care, where highly qualified faculty look after all aspects of the child’s growth.

Many boarding schools accept children at ages 11 (grade 6), 13 (grade 8) and 16 (grade 11). Children as young as five can enrol in junior schools such as La Garenne in Switzerland.

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However, boarding schools may not necessarily be the best decision for all students. Besides school fees being higher than most day schools, it may be difficult for the child to adjust to a new environment far away from home.

Parents need to consider their child’s goals, aspirations and temperament, visit the school, meet with the faculty and speak to current students before deciding if boarding school is the right choice for their family

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Preeti

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24 thoughts on “6 ways boarding schools can help in your child’s development

  1. My sister in law wants her daughter to get admission in Charterhouse boarding school in the United Kingdom. We have been there for an open day school visit and really like the infrastructure and staff. She will eb joining in the next school year in September 2020.

  2. My father went to boarding school and I am keen that my son will study at a boarding school too. Informative post.

  3. Though sending your kid to Boarding School can look like a tough decision, there are many positive aspects to it. The personality of the kid gets developed and honed at Boarding School.

  4. Boarding schools do have number of benefits and I’m never against anyone’s decision send your child to boarding school considering the circumstances that they have but then I would really like ok any child to grow up in a healthy family environment because that is making their Foundation strong in my view

  5. Sending kids to boarding school is a tough choice… I am glad you explained everything clearly… It will help so many parents take the right decision!

  6. There are pros and cons of everything. I haven’t considered boarding school for my kids but this post will help lots of parents who might want to follow this route.

  7. I know it is a tough decision for parents but since we mollycoddle our kids too much at home with the result their growth is less this is a wise decision

  8. Thanks for sharing this informative post. Children studying in boarding school are more disciplined. I used it get fascinated by their lifestyle but not sure whether I would like to send my kids.

  9. I’m so happy to read your post, as all these years I have always heard only NO, whenever I suggested boarding school for my kiddo. You have really brought some very useful and thought worthy points. I always wanted to study in boarding but never got a chance, but am keen to give my kiddo that exposure even for a few years.

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