Boarding School

[Anonymous]

My current 6th grader is really adamant about wanting to go to boarding school for HS. We could afford it, but I just can't wrap my head around it. You only get your kids for 18 years, why send them off after 14? I admit feeling judgmental towards other boarding school families, but now find myself considering it. Please tell me your experiences either attending yourself or as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Why does your child want to go is the better question?

[Anonymous]

What about somewhere close enough that they could be a 5 day boarder and come home on the weekends?

[Anonymous]

My DD begged to go as well but it was during COVID when schooling at home was a bear. Never looked back after getting there. She loves it and wants to stay. She wasn’t a problem child at all - just some kids are built like that and the independence building can be good for them. We would prefer her home but she she has really blossomed.

[Anonymous]

I went to boarding school. My son is a sophomore, and we aren’t sending him - he has no desire to go, and we have no desire to send him. My experience was pretty good - I was certainly prepared for college.

You don’t have to send your child at 14/9th grade. Most schools have their biggest entry years at 10th, and another big group enters at 11th.

[Anonymous]

My DCs didn't attend a boarding school, but their MS fiends did. One thing I noticed is the BS parent/kids spend a lot more time together than I did with my DCs. When there is a BS parents' weekend, event, etc. they spent time together. My DCs wouldn't spend a Friday night, Saturday or Sunday with me when they were in HS.

[Anonymous]

Oh it’s so wonderful. If you can afford it it’s an incredible experience for him. Do a 5 day boarding nearby if you want. He can come home weekends and you can go for sports events etc.

[Anonymous]

It was a great experience for my DH, but the stories he tells about it don't make me want that for our kids. Also, I know times have changed, but Lacy Crawford's book about St. Paul's is a horrifying read. I had friends who were sexually assaulted at boarding school, years ago, so the book resonated.

[Anonymous]

I went and loved it! DD is only 5, so who knows what will happen at that point. For me it was a very individual decision that worked for me.

[Anonymous]

It’s an incredible experience! Two of my three kids have gone to boarding school for high school—and I believe they both had greater hs experiences than my third child who went to gds. my son is starting his senior year at St. Andrews in Delaware tomorrow. Ask me anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DCs didn't attend a boarding school, but their MS fiends did. One thing I noticed is the BS parent/kids spend a lot more time together than I did with my DCs. When there is a BS parents' weekend, event, etc. they spent time together. My DCs wouldn't spend a Friday night, Saturday or Sunday with me when they were in HS.

My teen sons play sports and have friends, but we have a family dinner most nights of the week. Sometimes it’s early, sometimes it’s late.

We also go out to a restaurant as a family for dinner once a week or more which they love because they are good restaurants. They will meet up with friends afterwards if we have family dinner at 6pm and head out for the night.

My husband and I both work from home and attend all their club and high school sports games. I can’t imagine not seeing them 14-18 except for a parents’ weekend.

I also like they navigate Metro and the city by themselves. I think I that makes them more independent than in the middle of nowhere on a lush campus and they have a very diverse group of friends.

[Anonymous]

I’d worry about sec abuse. Not just faculty, often it’s older students.

[Anonymous]

BS is great for the right kid at the right school! Go on a few visits and see? Maybe it’s right for you, maybe not

[Anonymous]

I was horrified at the idea when my DC was younger, but now they are desperate to go and I find I’m considering it starting in 10th grade. I like the idea of boarding school close enough that they can come home for weekends or even you can take them out to dinner mid-week once in a while. I feel sad just thinking about it, but DC really wants to.

[Anonymous]

Several boarding schools offer discounted summer programs for middle school students. I think that’s the best way to see if your kid would like boarding school. Mercersburg, Emma Willard, NMH are a few that offer such programs. Exeter and Andover summer is a more intense academic environment but that could be what your kid wants.

Boarding School diversity is a little less socio-economic and a little more international student diversity. The international students tend to be very, very wealthy.