Parenting can be difficult and comes with myriad sets of challenges. Taking charge of a tiny human and rearing them to be intelligent, inquisitive, strong, and compassionate adults is not a job that is taken lightly, and it’s not a job that could in any way be defined as easy.
When your child reaches the confusing and sometimes complicated teenage years the stakes grow exponentially. It’s at this time the education becomes more important than ever, and many parents question whether their child’s current school is making the grade. With college just a few years away for these teens, the educational skills and achievements they attain can make or break a college application.
Today, many parents of teenagers are looking to boarding schools to help give their children a much needed leg up. If you’re considering boarding school for your teen, these are five reasons why this choice could place your child on the right path to success.
1. Rigorous Academics
Because boarding schools have larger budgets than their public counterpoints, your teen can explore various subjects on a level that they might not otherwise be able to. Advanced math and science classes, foreign languages, music, and visual or dramatic arts are often the norm at boarding schools and your child can reap the benefits.
Students are often held to higher standards at boarding schools which mean that your child can truly tap into their academic potential and excel with all of the opportunities presented to them.
2. Exceptional Teachers and Small Class Size
Boarding schools have other advantages over public schools and one of the most important of these is the training and experience level of their teachers. High-level boarding schools are able to recruit the best and most highly educated teachers, partly due to their increased budget for salaries but also because teachers know that this kind of environment allows them to truly embrace their job.
Class sizes are also much smaller, which translates into more personalized attention for each student. If your teen happens to be struggling in a certain area or needs more help, his or her teachers will have the time and resources to foster success.
3. Help for Troubled Teens
The teenage years can be rough, and as these young adults struggle to navigate their own complicated feelings and emotions their work at school can and often does suffer as a result. Boarding schools with a program that develops character can be the right environment for a number of good reasons.
Boarding schools often maintain counseling staff onsite to assist with any issues that may arise. In addition, the structure and higher expectations in place at boarding school can provide teens with a sense of security, thus allowing them to better deal with the emotions that can hinder their progress.
4. Enhanced Sports Programs
If your child has a passion for sports, boarding school may be the best choice to ensure that he or she can maintain their chosen sport while not sacrificing their education. Boarding schools are proud of their sports programs but also ensure that the academic portion of the experience is not left behind.
The array of sports offered at these schools is also intriguing. Not limited to football or basketball, many boarding schools also offer equestrian programs, lacrosse, swimming, rowing, and much more. Even if your teen hasn’t yet expressed an interest in sports, they might find their sporting passion at their new school.
5. Social Benefits
School is the place where children and teens learn and hone their social skills, but this is not always easy in an environment where bullying becomes a problem. While no school can accurately say they are bully-free, boarding schools often have a better support structure in place to help ensure that students’ social interactions are healthy and free from stressful situations.
In addition, as students spend so much time together they often form strong friendships that can last for years. Most former boarding school students recall these relationships as some of their most fulfilling, and any parent would want that for their child.
Boarding school might not be the right choice for everyone, but for those families that do make that decision it can transform a teen’s life. If you’re searching for better educational opportunities for your child, boarding school may be the best choice to make.
