Do you know how many boarding schools there are in the world? There are approximately 1,500 boarding schools scattered worldwide. More than 1/5 of them are in the United States (from New York to California, Florida, Texas and other smaller states) and 370 schools and growing are responsible for honing the academic skills of more than 42,500 students in the US alone.
The typical boarding school has been in operation for more than a century. However, it is not as banal and stodgy as it seems. Sure, many prestigious boarding schools maintain a recognizable tradition. But should not be confused with being boring or stiff. It is notable to say that each school has a personality of its own.
Being multifaceted is one of the main goals of most college prep boarding schools. A remarkable 10-12% of boarding school students are foreigners from abroad, while 15% are students of color. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, during the survey that was conducted on 2003-2004, this ratio was nearly 20% that year. Even the students of the most hallowed halls are not from old rich families, which was once the usual case.
Some parents immediately dismiss the idea of boarding school for their children. Books, movies, and even computer games and popular music have painted stereotyped pictures of these facilities as either vacation villas for the rich or prisons for delinquents...or havens for young wizards battling dark sorcerers.
The actual schools bear little resemblance to these media inventions, however several myths still persist.
Boarding schools are for the rich. A growing number of scholarships are available to create admission opportunities for families of any means. Administrators are more interested in students' academic achievements than their family's bank balance.
Only Whites need apply. Boarding schools are actually more diverse than public schools. Their student bodies are drawn from all over the country while public schools serve only the local population, which is often concentrated into certain ethic or economic groups.
Parents use boarding schools to get rid of problem kids. There is a type of school called a therapeutic school that is designed for kids with behavioral or drug problems. These facilities emphasize education but also are designed to help kids deal with their personal problems. However these are not typical boarding schools any more than a drug rehabilitation center is a vacation resort. Typical schools are college preparatory, designed to provide extra educational opportunities for motivated students.
Kids get into trouble. Students are in a more controlled environment than public school. As a result, there is less incidence of crime or drug and alcohol use than in public school.
Kids hate boarding schools. Some students won't be happy in such a regulated environment and this may not be the right choice for them. However most of the attendees are highly-motivated individuals who might dislike the strict rules but appreciate the academic benefits.
Students get lonely. Any time a child moves to another place, there is a transition period. However, cell phones and internet access make it easy to keep in touch with their family and friends, although use of these will be restricted to certain hours. Plus they have opportunities to meet lots of new friends who have similar interests.
Despite all the myths, there are a few things about boarding schools that are true. According to studies, students spend more time in sporting and creative activities and less time watching TV than their public school counterparts. The coursework is more challenging and students will likely spend more time on homework than in public school. This also means they graduate with stronger academic backgrounds and are more attractive to colleges.
Graduation provides lifelong benefits. When compared to public school students, more than twice as many consider themselves prepared for the academic challenges of college and more than three times as many are prepared for the non-academic aspects such as independence and socialization.
Though the concept may seem unfamiliar to families who have never attended boarding school, for highly motivated students, boarding school might just be the best educational option.
Both Ryan Galicia Galicia & Christine Harrell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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