Demystifying Boarding Schools: Dispelling the Myths and Misconceptions
Going back to the 80’s when I was a boarding school student, and certainly in my professional work experience as an educational consultant, there have always been myths and misperceptions surrounding boarding schools. Some of the misunderstandings that parents have are so strong that they are unwilling to even look into what boarding schools have to offer their students. To help parents overcome these myths and find the best educational option for their students, we’re tackling some of these myths as boarding schools are truly wonderful options for students!
Myth #1: Boarding Schools Have Negative Peer Social Cultures
The myth that boarding schools are harmful socially to students is curious. Many parents fear that their students will attend boarding school and be completely shut off from the outside world. In fact, this is far from the truth! The reality is that many students thrive socially in boarding school environments, developing close bonds with their peers and creating lifelong friendships. Boarding schools typically offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, social events, and opportunities for community service and leadership, which help students develop valuable skills and form strong connections with their classmates.
Additionally, boarding schools often provide a supportive and inclusive community where students “find their tribe,” feeling valued and encouraged to pursue their passions and interests, fostering a sense of belonging and connection that can last a lifetime. Boarding schools also often have smaller class sizes which makes it easier for students to spend time studying and learning together, with like-minded students. This also allows students to have closer interactions with their teachers and advisors. This diverse tapestry, across the campus, classroom and local community offers ample opportunities for students to become involved in all that will widen their world!
Myth #2: Boarding Schools Are Only For Wealthy Families
It’s true that some boarding schools can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean they are only for the elite. Many boarding schools offer financial aid and have scholarships students can apply for, which helps lower the cost of tuition, room, and board. In addition, some schools help families’ create flexible, affordable payment plans.
One of the most significant benefits of boarding schools is the diversity of students they attract. These schools draw students from different parts of the country and the world, creating a multicultural and multilingual community. This diversity of perspectives and experiences enriches the learning experience and prepares students for the globalized world. Boarding schools want their education to be accessible to all. They want families with questions about the cost to raise their concerns, as they’ll work to ensure that economic barriers do not prevent access to the quality education they are providing!.
Myth #3: Students With Learning Differences Can Only Attend “Special-Ed” Boarding Schools
The truth is that we all learn differently and that all schools serve different learners! The notion of “neuro-diversity” is here to stay and boarding schools of all reputations are recognizing the many strengths and cognitive abilities of students who learn differently. Yes, there are many wonderful boarding schools that are specialized for students with a particular learning profile, such as autism, dyslexia or exceptional gifted intelligence. And, there are very traditional, non-specialized boarding schools that also accept these students and they flourish!
Overall, most “traditional” boarding schools do serve students with learning differences by providing comprehensive academic and learning support programs, highly trained faculty members, and progressive approaches to learning assisted technologies with an emphasis on skills and strategies. These schools are committed to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments where all students will thrive and achieve their goals. In whatever area your student needs support, finding the boarding school with the most appropriate levels of support for your student’s learning needs can make a world of difference!
Myth #4: Boarding Schools Don’t Prepare Students For The Real World
Many people believe that boarding schools are “unrealistic bubbles” where students are coddled and handed things on a silver platter. Isn’t that the image from the movies that floats in people’s minds? Well, let’s debunk that myth as it’s just not true! Students who attend boarding schools are absolutely well-prepared for the challenges of the real world, through all that the schools offer! Just about every boarding school engages students through a well-rounded educational experience. Curious as to what that looks like from school to school? Take a peek at each school’s curriculum to get a sense of the requirements across the course offerings as just a starting point! Through hands-on learning, community outreach programs, study abroad programs, and extracurricular activities, students who attend boarding schools are confident and capable of taking the next step in their academics. When your student is in the process of applying for their post-secondary education, their time at a boarding school will be a tremendous asset to their application.
Myth 5: Boarding Schools Aren’t Good for Day Students
Many parents fear that their day student will be left out from the offerings of the full-time boarding school campus community. Let’s separate fact from myth! The fact is that all day students have the same access to the campus community and offerings that boarding students have, although what they choose to stay on campus for beyond required commitments is often up to them. When you are learning about schools and visiting schools, asking about how day students are included is very important in establishing the full picture of what campus life is like for a day student.
Day students often participate in evening and weekend activities, and consequently develop a strong sense of community with fellow students, just as the boarding students do. They also have access to such dorm parents and dorm life, as most boarding schools assign day students to a dorm, so they are still included in dorm activities and events. While they are not living on campus like the boarding students, day students can still be on campus for the majority of their day. For example, some days students arrive at 7am for breakfast and don’t head home until after study hall, so it’s a full day! This allows them to adhere to the same structured schedule that helps students develop greater independence and life skills such as time management, independence, and responsibility.
Overall, boarding schools have many benefits that your student will carry with them through the rest of their life. From the close-knit community, to personal-growth, to solid academics and meaningful learning support, don’t let these myths stop you from looking into boarding schools as a genuine option for your student.
If you have questions during your school research process, we are here to help! We’re committed to helping students discover the best educational options— where they will thrive in all aspects of their educational journey!