Boarding

[Anonymous]

If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

[Anonymous]

Our child is heading to BS this fall.
I posted this before on a different thread, but dug through to find it in case it helps you. Two things I found is you'll get plenty of judgement and misunderstanding (often from those who don't know the first thing about these schools- or even private schools of any kind), and that it is first and foremost a question about what is the best opportunity and choice for your child and family and they can all kick rocks whichever way you decide to go.

For context, the original response was to what kind of parents send their kids to boarding school:

"Not going to lie, I used to think it was parents who did not want to parent and just wanted to offload their kid. We never thought we would end up even considering a boarding school, but our DC is going to one next year. It kind of snuck up on us. We had a pretty motivated kid who was already pretty independent and we knew that with the right encouragement and environment would do really well in learning to really lean into that. He also has interests for which it was hard to find classes and supplemental education, so we started expanding our reach, eventually finding summer programs at NE boarding schools (after doing a program at Exeter in a heatwave and learning about the lack of A/C though, he noped out of that one lol). We looked at both day and boarding schools for HS and applied to both.

[Some say] say that comparable day schools can be found, but if you really look at what some of these schools offer, that simply is not the case. Some of these boarding schools offer the opportunity of a lifetime, and a completely different experience. For kids that are bright they offer rigor, yes, but I encourage you to actually look into the curricula, programs, and extras- and it is possible to find schools that also have a good counseling and support network. There are top rated schools closer [to the DMV] as well, so you can be within an hour or two drive.
I know many people in college who struggled with their transition from high school, and while having an experience of a similar transition and type of educational experience is no guarantee that it will make it any easier, I hope that it may help[- if, of course, your child is the type of person who is genuinely prepared to handle an experience now].

He is also an only child but is very social and really loves the idea that it is so much easier to see his school friends- no trying to set up a time with 3 or 4 families in advance and driving in from all over for a couple of hours. That being said, DS had both day and boarding options and sat with the decision for a while. He really liked the program at BS and was mature enough to realize that the overall experience would be beneficial, but wanted to go to one of the day schools only because a few of his friends from his K8 were going. In the end he chose boarding. We are willing to pull/transfer him if he hates it. But while he was a bit torn at first, he seems to be getting really excited. He has a list of stuff he wants for his dorm, he [is doing] everything himself- his laundry, trying to make different foods (though he won't be cooking there of course), [has set up his own volunteering opportunity and communicated everything himself], etc. I don't know, it seems to have invigorated him. It's us who are having the depressed existential crisis because he is leaving. [And other than throwing ourselves into diy updating the house, I don't know what we will do.]"

The school where we finally ended up is excellent but smaller, and has the benefit of being a bit closer to the DMV area- only about 1.5hrs, so it is not nearly as far as some options as we originally considered and where he attended some programs. It was also the warmest reception and environment, so I think it was the best option.

[Anonymous]

DC is at a top NE boarding school. From what I have seen, it will be challenging to admitted for 11th grade unless your daughter is also a recruited athlete. She should reach out to the admissions office at a few schools she is interested in and ask how many spots they typically have for 11th grade. Usually, it's only a few as they bring in most of their class in 9th and 10th grade. It might also be worth a speaking with a boarding school consultant to see what they think her chances are.

[Anonymous]

Circling back to share that DD is headed to Exeter this fall.


While this certainly was not our plan, I am excited and proud of her desire to grow and be pushed out of her comfort zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Circling back to share that DD is headed to Exeter this fall.


While this certainly was not our plan, I am excited and proud of her desire to grow and be pushed out of her comfort zone.

Congrats! Sounds like you have a kid with drive and confidence. I’m sure she’ll do well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Circling back to share that DD is headed to Exeter this fall.


While this certainly was not our plan, I am excited and proud of her desire to grow and be pushed out of her comfort zone.

Congrats! Sounds like you have a kid with drive and confidence. I’m sure she’ll do well.

Thank you so much.

[Anonymous]

That’s great! Sounds like she’ll do great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

Teens need parents in different ways than you would expect. Don't do it. Cherish those years and be there to guide her even if for a few minutes here and there.

Also find out what she is trying to get away from at current school. May be something going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

Teens need parents in different ways than you would expect. Don't do it. Cherish those years and be there to guide her even if for a few minutes here and there.

Also find out what she is trying to get away from at current school. May be something going on.

🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

Teens need parents in different ways than you would expect. Don't do it. Cherish those years and be there to guide her even if for a few minutes here and there.

Also find out what she is trying to get away from at current school. May be something going on.

🙄

Sorry it is true. In rare cases it is better for the kid to go to boarding school if home life is not good. I know of one family where their daughters begged to go to boarding school to get away from the mother who is insane and verbally abusive so in that case yes better for the kids.

Overall I would stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

Teens need parents in different ways than you would expect. Don't do it. Cherish those years and be there to guide her even if for a few minutes here and there.

Also find out what she is trying to get away from at current school. May be something going on.

🙄

Sorry it is true. In rare cases it is better for the kid to go to boarding school if home life is not good. I know of one family where their daughters begged to go to boarding school to get away from the mother who is insane and verbally abusive so in that case yes better for the kids.

Overall I would stay home.

Please read the whole thread, dimwit.

[Anonymous]

^and while reading, please note the posting dates.

[Anonymous]

Aaah congrats!!! Alumna here, and it was AWESOME…I loved it! Truly changed my life. Also ended up at a way better college than I would have, had I stayed at my local private school. Hope she has an amazing experience, and who knows, we might cross paths at a reception someday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aaah congrats!!! Alumna here, and it was AWESOME…I loved it! Truly changed my life. Also ended up at a way better college than I would have, had I stayed at my local private school. Hope she has an amazing experience, and who knows, we might cross paths at a reception someday

So glad to hear this. I think it will truly change her life and give her the rigor, adventure, and experience she is searching for in this season of life. We are thrilled to join the community. Perhaps we will! finis origine pendet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child decided to go to boarding school, how did you make that decision?

Any experience going for just junior and senior year?

DD is at a dmv private right now, but really wants “more.” She is VERY academically focused & genuinely passionate about it. She has been at this school (or the natural feeder) since K & just finished freshman year. She wants to apply to a few boarding schools, so she would be going junior year. This is way out of my range & something I know nothing about.

We are entertaining the conversation (it is completely self driven) but still not sold. Also would have to see where she gets in.

Excuses typos typed on my phone

Teens need parents in different ways than you would expect. Don't do it. Cherish those years and be there to guide her even if for a few minutes here and there.

Also find out what she is trying to get away from at current school. May be something going on.

🙄

Rather that looking to get away from something, she is truly looking to find something.

We thought a lot about it, but with visits, breaks, and calls, we will do our best to be there to guide her in every moment. As the experiences there will.