Should you choose a day or boarding school? When choosing a private school, the question of boarding or day school may arise. The question is not which one is better; it is which one is better suited for your child and their needs? There are both advantages and disadvantages to both school settings which will be discussed here. The main advantage of boarding school is the preparation it gives for adulthood. Many children are anxious about being away from their parents. This may weigh heavy on your decision, but know that even children with this anxiety may benefit from boarding school.
Learning independence is one of the main functions of boarding school. It teaches children how to take care of themselves (to a reasonable degree) and prepares them for life at college. The teachers at boarding schools are well educated and the classes are small in size. Diversity is another boarding school advantage. Often times a child is sent to a boarding school away from their area of the world. This allows them to be surrounded by a diverse class of people who can introduce them to different cultures, which brings me to another point. Boarding schools are the best choice for international students.
While sending you child to another county to get their education can be done through host families, boarding schools offer more in the way of social interaction and a feeling of safety and home. Boarding schools, especially those outside of your home country, help give you the peace of mind you need when being separated from your child. The children are monitored well but still given the freedom to have social lives and fun. They form relationships with other students that often last a lifetime, and this is certainly a Pro! Though it is clear that boarding schools have many advantages, they are not right for every child (or parent).
For some, day school may be the best option. As mentioned above, some children feel anxious about being away from their parents. Going to boarding school may help them get past this feeling or it may intensify it. You know your child best so you also know which situation it would be for them. You may wish to give boarding school a try Just to see what happens, but be prepared to bring your child home if they become intensely unhappy with their situation. You want them to get a good education but not at the expense of their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Day school provides the right balance between family life and school life. Your child can go to school to learn and develop social skills, but come home and have bonding time with the family. Plus, day school is much less costly than boarding school and this may play a role in your final decision as well. It is clear that both types of schools have advantages. The best thing to do is research all the options and talk things over with your child to get their take on things. In the end you will likely know what choice to make, and if it was the wrong one – well nothing in life is permanent. n issue that aroused debates among both students and parents. It was a matter of reat concern since it had the ability to ultimately shape the future of a person. Yearly rankings of senior high schools in this country usually places most boarding schools before their day counterparts thus inducing the concept that boarding schools are generally a better choice when it comes to academic excellence in senior high schools. Apart from this observation most people have not taken the time to impartially and objectively compare these two types of high schools.
My attention was drawn to this issue again during last year’s election when every political party during their campaigns gave much priority to education. The two leading political parties in Ghana (NDC and NPP) both promised to construct a number of senior high schools. After the elections, I waited patiently to see if President Mahama would fulfil his promise of constructing 200 senior high schools for Ghanaians. The construction of the first 50 schools has already been set in motion. These new schools would all be day schools and this however hasn’t gone down well with some people.
Why are people more attracted to boarding schools than day schools? The answer to this question lies not in the school system but the quality of students produced. It would be imperative to compare boarding schools with day schools to ascertain their advantages and disadvantages. This might help to clear the air and throw some light to some misconceptions about both types of school systems. Making education affordable, accessible and quality should be the topmost priority of any government when it comes to the educational sector. These are the three basic requirements of every school.
Every child should have access to quality education at the most affordable price. Since time immemorial, the governments of Ghana have always tried to contribute their quota to making education more accessible and ffordable to Ghanaians. Quality of education is of great relevance when it comes to school selection. Every parent wants their children to get access to quality education no matter their income level. Since day schools are usually considered to be less expensive, is the quality of education obtained in these schools comparable to boarding schools? Boarding schools are equipped with facilities solely for the purpose of academics.
Students stay on campus and have both compulsory and optional study periods. Day schools lack very much in these areas but can work with parents to ensure that children are given the opportunity to study at home. This is however very difficult since most parents are not trained professionally to cater for the child’s academic needs. Generally, since boarding students are restricted and compelled to study, it becomes an academic plus to them. Students are monitored 2417 with the necessary push to ensure academic success. Also, boarding schools have the advantage of compulsorily involving the students in sporting activities.
Thus ensuring that students are healthy, doesn’t limit academic excellence to only boarding schools but shows that day students need to work quite harder to attain the same level of success. On the issue of affordability and accessibility, boarding schools are more accessible and less affordable whereas day schools are more affordable and less accessible. Day schools require one to stay at home while schooling thus making it relatively difficult for people from far places to school in such an institution. The cost and time involved would be unbearable thus limiting day schools to people who live within a reasonable distance to the school.
However the cost of accommodation, feeding, house ‘boarding uniforms and other cost associated with boarding schools are eliminated. The senior high schools to be built must therefore be strategically positioned to serve their purpose. They must be affordable as well as accessible, especially to the people in rural areas. Apart from the three main factors to consider (quality of education, accessibility and affordability), are there other factors to consider? The answer would be a big yes. After gaining access to quality, affordable education, we expect to have a well- rounded literate who can serve his country in the best of capacity.
Moral declination is on the rise and while some people blame this degeneration on parents, some also seem to hold the teachers responsible. However, research seems to point to the fact that weak morals are predominant in societies where children at very early stages of life tend to leave their parents. They are more prone to peer pressure since their source of counsel is no longer their parents but their peers. Gaining early independence is not entirely a bad thing. It gives the child a sense of responsibility, confidence and the opportunity to build profitable networks with other students at an early stage.
It is however crucial to note that day schools do not guarantee moral uprightness in students and boarding schools do not promise responsible students. Parents, teachers and students need to work together to produce well rounded students. When it comes to choosing the appropriate senior high school, the decision should not only be left to parents. Both children and teachers should also be actively involved. However, inasmuch as children want their wishes to be heard by their parents, they should do well to be considerate since the financial standing of their parents plays a very important role in selecting a school.
The primary and paramount factors to consider are; quality of education, accessibility and affordability. Four reasons shaped our decision. I share these and other insights with you. I had taught in day schools and was a Deputy-Director of one of them. Yet we chose to send both daughters to boarding schools. Here are the reasons why. I hope that our experience will help to inform you as you make this critical decision about which kind At the time we were considering sending our children to private school we were fortunate to be living in an area which had good schools. My late wife Nancy indeed had graduated from the local high school.
In fact she was chair of the local school board when we decided to explore other options for our daughters’ schooling. So it wasnt the schools per se which were the issue. There were four factors which shaped our decision and I lay these out below in greater detail. The high school curriculum was solid. The teachers were experienced and competent. The school was small as high schools go with a student population of 400 students in grades 7 through 12. There was a football and basketball team, a highly- acclaimed marching band and a couple of clubs. That, however was what made us want more for our daughters.
We wanted them to read 5 Shakespeare plays a year. Not Just the one a year taught in her current high school. Same thing with other academics. They met the minimum requirements. But we wanted more. The sports and arts programs were wonderful but options were extremely limited. Same with extracurricular activities. But the real reason was something every parent of a teenager comes to terms with: who was she hanging around with after school? Who would be driving her back and forth if we couldn’t? We were both busy professionals who couldn’t always drop everything and drive 30 miles through the Litchfield County hills to pick up and drop off.
So against that backdrop we began to consider boarding school very seriously. Rigorous academics We always felt that we should stretch our children intellectually. That approach literally started from the earliest months. The children’s mother read voraciously. Serious fare with a few mysteries thrown in. She was fluent in French and Spanish too. Classical music was my thing. Our children didn’t stand a chance against those influences. It also didn’t take us long to realize that we had two gifted children on our hands. That’s why serious, rigorous academics were simply what we expected.
As mentioned previously, the public school offered solid courses. Just not enough epth and breadth for our needs. We had no firm ideas about what the girls should pursue in college. We felt our Job was to provide them the best foundation we could. As we explored curricula at several boarding schools we realized that our children could build on their existing knowledge base while having the opportunity to explore more subjects. Lots of sports The idea of having athletics twice a week was a huge hit. Boarding schools typically finish classes at lunch on Wednesdays. The afternoon is given over to sports.
Same thing on Saturdays. The variety of sports offered as well as the availability of many ports at varsity level as well as intramurals made this feature of boarding school very attractive. Plenty of extracurricular activities As with athletics the schools we looked at offered dozens of clubs and other extracurricular activities. Because all the students were required to take part in one or more activities there was plenty of talent to make the activity fun and practised at 2417 supervision This is not a characteristic of boarding schools which your teenager will consider terribly important.
But it was a huge plus for us parents. We had spent many years raising our children according to our personal values and precepts. When it came time for our young adults to begin to leave the nest and fly solo, we still wanted the reassurance of a safety net. 2417 supervision is something which boarding schools simply do very well. They have looked after teenagers for decades. They are tuned into what goes on in those young minds. They have the safety net at the ready. The net is invisible most of the time. But there when needed. Boarding schools know how to handle the hormone factor before things run amok.
They understand bored teenagers. And they do all of this unobtrusively most of the time but conspicuously when that approach is called for. We didn’t want to worry about who was driving our daughter home. We didn’t want our child going to somebody’s home where the parent was either not at home or was disengaged from parenting. Boarding schools’ 2417 supervision was a feature almost as important to us as the impressive academics were. Finally I should mention that neither of us were helicopter parents. We taught our children as best we could and allowed them to get on with living their own lives.
We felt that a gentle transition from childhood to adulthood Just made a lot of sense. You cannot hover and be over-protective and expect your child to develop self-confidence nd independence. That’s why we were comfortable with letting our children go off to boarding school. Looking back more than two decades it was probably one of the best decisions we ever made. Both girls excelled in college – Harvard and UMass Amherst – and went on to earn advanced degrees. They have great careers. They are wonderful mothers. What more can a parent ask?
Top of Form Enroll in our free mint-course: “Boarding School Application Tips” Bottom of Form Day School vs Boarding School A further consideration when making choices about your child’s education exists in whether to choose a day or boarding school for them to attend. There are obvious benefits of each, and much of the decision may reside in your individual child’s needs or the demands of your own lifestyle. However, some simple facts which might be considered about each are outlined below, in addition to a number of useful links to sites, events and schools which might help your decision making process.
Day School travel to school from a wider geographical area than those at state schools might, there is an obvious restriction as to how far from the school you wish your child to attend you can feasibly live. It is useful to investigate a bus or rail links to your local ndependent schools in addition to investigating what it is they can offer your child. Some schools may offer their own transport services from your area. Boarding School Boarding schools exist for children in preparatory or senior education, and sometimes cater for both.
They differ widely in size and location, and there is guaranteed to be a school which would suit your child’s needs. Obviously one of the key advantages of boarding schools is that location need not be a primary consideration, and thus if you find the perfect school for your child you will not have to move house or seek a school elsewhere. However, this obviously means that children can spend extended periods of time away from their families, meaning in the search for a boarding school considering the availability and quality of pastoral care is of particular importance.
The kind of accommodation offered at boarding schools differs for children at various ages. Prep school children would typically share a room with a group of around half a dozen other children, whereas at senior school smaller numbers would be expected as children begin to develop a greater sense of independence. Boarding school may increase convenience for parents but will also increase the cost f your child’s education. Yes because… No because… Boarding schools allow children a safe space in which to exert greater control and independence over…
Boarding schools allow children a safe space in which to exert greater control and independence over their daily lives. Teachers and staff can supervise and support but they are unlikely to be over-protective. This can be a great preparation for university or work away from home in later life as it provides an intermediate step between childhood and full independence. Parents are a child’s most natural support and best role models to learn from. If they are separated from hem for long periods of time this may damage their relationship and leave the child feeling anxious or alone.
Schools are unlikely to be able to replicate the detailed knowledge of each individual child that a parent has and therefore cannot be as effective in supporting the child. Boarding School Being in school all the time allows children full access to its facilities. This is good for creatin… Being in school all the time allows children full access to its facilities. This is good for creating a learning environment as pupils can have access to libraries, computers and teachers while doing their homework.
Similarly it is easier to take part to arrange travel home late at night or after the school buses have left. Diversity of experience is not neglected as many schools run community volunteering schemes, and anyway students will spend substantial periods away from school in the holidays. Spending all your time in school restricts the circle of people you come into contact with. Extra-curricular activities organised by the school will largely be with peers rather than the whole range of the community as might be the case with local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, sports clubs, etc.
This loss of diversity may also be een as detrimental to a holistic conception of education (for example a library may provide books on wartime evacuation but might not be as good a resource as the pensioner down your street who was themselves evacuated). Boarding School Living with peers of their own age, round the clock, teaches children how to get along with each 0th… Living with peers of their own age, round the clock, teaches children how to get along with each other and compromise. A variety of characters and interests must be accommodated, teaching children tolerance and compromise in a regulated environment.
This can be especially helpful for working with university or company colleagues in the future. Furthermore, many boarding schools celebrate diversity as international students with different cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds frequently make up a significant minority of the student body. A proportion of non-boarding day pupils, and boarding students whose fees are paid through bursaries (means-related grants), scholarships (academic grants), or by the state (e. g. children with parents on military or diplomatic service overseas) means that students are not all drawn from one class or income bracket.
Friendships and relations between peers are governed by the rules of the school and therefore do not always reflect real life. Pupils at the school may be drawn from only one gender or religion, and will certainly be drawn only from the wealthier social classes because of the high fees charged by all boarding schools. Because the school controls a large portion of their pupils’ lives they may never come into contact with individuals who think differently from them. Also, the very regulation of the pupils’ lives can lead some to become institutionalised, i. e. nable to cope with life and relate to others utside the regulated framework of the school. It was traditional boarding schools which Evelyn Waugh had in mind when he wrote, ‘Anyone who has been to an English public school will always feel comparatively at home in prison’. Boarding School Many specialised interests, such as ballet, tennis or music require training from a young age. Boar… Many specialised interests, such as ballet, tennis or music require training from a young age. Boarding schools, including ballet schools, tennis academies and cathedral choir schools, allow children to pursue excellence with like- minded peers.
This would be difficult to arrange on a local basis as specialist equipment and training is expensive and therefore concentrated in a few centres. Boarding schools minimise disruption to children’s academic work by reducing the need for extended travel/time off school to reach them. Specialist boarding schools can lead to an over concentration on one area or style of curriculum to the neglect of compelling those interested in a particular discipline to become boarders when they would have preferred not to. Boarding School As well as allowing for flexibility in curriculum choice, boarding schools can also ccommodate a va…
As well as allowing for flexibility in curriculum choice, boarding schools can also accommodate a variety of specific family or lifestyle considerations. Children with specific learning or emotional needs can also benefit from specialised help as noted above. Particularly important is the way a boarding school may provide relief for parents from the day to day strains of dealing with a child’s problems, making time spent together more pleasant. Sometimes time away from the home benefits the child whose problems may be caused or exacerbated by troubles at ome, for example divorce, bereavement or illness of a parent.
On a merely practical level, parents whose work requires them to travel extensively, live in remote areas or abroad may find boarding school a useful way to provide stability and continuity in their child’s education. While a boarding school may ameliorate some family problems it is unlikely to solve them. Confronting issues head on with help from local social services could allow families to stay together rather than risking the other problems listed above. It is not unreasonable to expect parents to consider the ducation of their children when selecting their careers and to do so in a way that would not force them to board.
Most difficulties of working parents could be equally well addressed by after school clubs or better childcare provision. Debates > Boarding School Do children benefit from attending boarding school? Add a New Topic Add to My Favorites Debate This Topic Report This Topic say yes 34% say NO Boarding schools are beneficial! Yes! People have a stereotypical saying that kids who go to boarding schools dont see school. This is boarding school and teachers are very laid back and relaxed. They dont beat you and children see their parents probably every break they have and on weekends.
Christmas is two to three weeks, Thanksgiving is one week, spring break is about three weeks. As well in winter and every four weeks, the students have a four- day break. Kids there aren’t snobby rich kids. Many are on scholarships and children there are very accepting. Students are also getting a first-class education and most are accepted into I’vy League colleges, whereas public school kids have a lesser chance. So dont Jump to conclusions about how horrible boarding schools are. They aren’t ad and I know from first hand experience.
Check out the Andover Song on YouTube; this will definitely change your mind about boarding school. Posted by: Anonymous Report Post LikeReply 5 Boarding HIGH SCHOOL is a great experience I am going to a boarding high school and I believe it is a fantastic opportunity for a child who is ready for it. It offers many opportunities in an out of school that might not be available in a small town or a school that doesn’t life up to your expectations. It fosters a sense of independence and helps children reach their full potential by challenging themselves.
Sometimes, the very top schools (Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, etc. ) are very competitive and place a lot of pressure on students, but schools such as the one I am attending is still one of the top, but also wants to make sure that the students are supportive of each other. I think that anyone younger that 14 is too young to be attending boarding school. Many say that you should grow up with your family, and you still do! I see my family almost every weekend and we spend all of the long holidays together. I don’t feel as if I have made any kind of mistake. But do know, boarding school isn’t for everyone.
The student should be mature, and ready to learn about themselves and work hard to become the very best they can be. Posted by: Anonymous Independent Organized Self-Reliance multicultural and multinational backgrounds, exposing one to different lifestyles and making one more adaptable to various situations. Therefore, one is well- equipped to deal with daily challenges, open to trying out new tasks that foster better learning, Posted by: Anonymous Great core values. Good all round education. Friends for life Boarding school is what you make of it and what your parents do to support you.
If ou are simply outsourced, then the outcome would be no better if they kept you at home. If you are encouraged, supported and engaged in a shared experience it is great. In any case boarders will always outperform day boys because of the extra time at school and with their peers. Posted by: Anonymous Yes, but depends on the school, the child and the age There is no question that the top 20 boarding schools in the US are a great opportunity, and most kids will have a tough time even academically qualifying to attend, and will likely not be accepted. These are very, very difficult schools to get in o.
If your high school student is a top student, is ready for high school at the highest level, and can perform well on the SAT test, than boarding school is a fantastic option, both academically and socially. If, however, parents are looking to dump their average child at a second rate boarding school for their kid that is younger than high school… That is a disgrace, unless the circumstances are so extreme that some kind of specialized boarding school is needed for intervention purposes. So there is really no “yes” or “no” answer to the question. It depends on the circumstances. Posted by:
