How to Choose a Boarding School
As a parent, you want only the best things in life for your child. This includes providing him or her with a secure learning environment such as an established boarding school. If you want to find the perfect boarding school for your child, take note of the following important points:
Select a strong curriculum.
Select a boarding school that offers the best education possible. Study the school’s catalog or if possible, request for a syllabus of each of your child’s classes. Some schools allow you to track the progress of your child online such as viewing their grades and present activities. Also make sure that you keep in touch with the teachers by getting all the contact information available.
Tour the campus.
boarding schoolGo around the campus at least once before enrolling your child. Spend some time walking along the school grounds and visiting the buildings and other facilities. Talk to the administrators or any of the teachers and staff members to ensure a safe and productive environment for your child.
You can also tour some of the campuses online. Also, check out what other parents and students have to say about these boarding schools by visiting forums and other related review sites. The best advice usually comes from the parents of children who have attended the boarding school you are interested in. Check references and ask questions extensively.
Study your options well.
Determine what type of boarding school is best suited for your child. Religious boarding schools dominate the lot but if you don’t want a school without any religious affiliation, there are many other institutions available.
Take note of your child’s personality when determining the boarding school for him or her. Some excel in big classes while some thrive in small academic institutions. Gender also plays am important role since you may want a school that offers stability in terms of having a same sex environment. Other parents though prefer co-ed schools since kids develop many social skills that are only learned by interacting with the opposite sex.
Since boarding schools can be quite costly, make sure to check the breakdown of any expense. You may need to shell out extra money for food, field trips and other activities.
Your child also should have a caring and supporting environment since he or she will be away from home for quite some time. Make sure that the school’s staff is always on hand to handle problems such as depression, peer pressure and maybe even bullying.