Does anyone have any experience with junior boarding schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on what you say you're looking for, I'm wondering why you would choose boarding school over a local single sex school. What is it that you think would be different? I think knowing that in more detail would help us answer the question.

it'll be a different experience for him as he's doesn't have a male father figure in his life(2 female parents) and he also will have the opportunity to interact with people of various backgrounds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never sent a 12 year old to boarding school without a very good reason.

+100. I also like having my kids around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know, I actually think there would be a market for a good boarding school in the DC area. There are so many families that have to go overseas and so on.
Sorry to hijack.

This isn't helpful to the OP, but there are boarding schools in DC:

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/work-education/education/private-boarding-schools-in-dc-maryland-virginia-pennsylvania/

Note tuition has gone up dramatically since this was written, 8 years ago.

St. James is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Why not send your child to a good local private and hire a nice nanny?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based on what you say you're looking for, I'm wondering why you would choose boarding school over a local single sex school. What is it that you think would be different? I think knowing that in more detail would help us answer the question.

it'll be a different experience for him as he's doesn't have a male father figure in his life(2 female parents) and he also will have the opportunity to interact with people of various backgrounds

My 2 cents is that I'm not sure that the different opportunity would necessarily be a good one. In my experience, particularly at a boarding-optional school, is that the boarders are primarily wealthy foreigners. Not to generalize, but the US is more progressive in views of gay marriage than many other countries. That, coupled with the dimished level of supervision in boarding school, could be unpleasant for your son. I think that's a tough age anyway and one in which kids say/do stupid things to seem cool. I'd hate for your son to be a target just for being a little different. My cousin had a tough time at boarding school because he just didn't quite fit in (foreign, accented English, non drinker) and I felt like there wasn't anyone who could/would take the parents role in the situation. It might have all happened in the same way at home, but there wasn't even someone around to tell him that HE wasn't the asshole in the situation... If it's something you are really interested in, there's nothing to be lost by waiting until 9th grade. Maybe mix things up with a cool, male au pair or experiences abroad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never sent a 12 year old to boarding school without a very good reason.

+100. I also like having my kids around.

Kids need their parents at that age in my opinion. Don't send him away. There are so so many other options available to fulfill the needs you are looking to fill. There are consultants that can help you find schools in this area that will help fulfill what he needs. Also remember what you think he needs may not be what he actually needs. Good luck. It sounds like your heart is in the right place.

[Anonymous]

I'm writing an article on shifting trends in junior boarding education and would love to interview any parents or students who have boarded at ages 14 and younger. If you're interested, please respond to this post and I will send you my email address. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never sent a 12 year old to boarding school without a very good reason.

+100. I also like having my kids around.

Kids need their parents at that age in my opinion. Don't send him away. There are so so many other options available to fulfill the needs you are looking to fill. There are consultants that can help you find schools in this area that will help fulfill what he needs. Also remember what you think he needs may not be what he actually needs. Good luck. It sounds like your heart is in the right place.

Don't listen to the advice of someone who doesn't know you, your family, your child, and obviously doesn't have an open mind on the issue. Every few months this issue comes up on this board, and we have the same tired debate, led by the boarding school haters.

[Anonymous]

FESSY! I knew so many kids from there who went to my boarding school. They all loved it. Those who have sent kids there have also loved it. Indian Mountain is also another good one and the former MS head of NCS is now the head there and she was amazing.

[Anonymous]

Glad to see this thread. We will send DS to Eaglebrook for 6th grade provided he gets in but he will not be boarding. We will move there and he will be a day student for 6th grade. Eagle brook also has other options like boarding 5 days a week. Hopefully, full boarding by 9th grade. It's MA with lots of snow so I can understand why people who live in the area may want this option.

It seems like a lovely school and not one person we've spoken with who is familiar or attended the school loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad to see this thread. We will send DS to Eaglebrook for 6th grade provided he gets in but he will not be boarding. We will move there and he will be a day student for 6th grade. Eagle brook also has other options like boarding 5 days a week. Hopefully, full boarding by 9th grade. It's MA with lots of snow so I can understand why people who live in the area may want this option.

It seems like a lovely school and not one person we've spoken with who is familiar or attended the school loves it.

every person we've spoken...

doing three things at the same time and losing track

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Glad to see this thread. We will send DS to Eaglebrook for 6th grade provided he gets in but he will not be boarding. We will move there and he will be a day student for 6th grade. Eagle brook also has other options like boarding 5 days a week. Hopefully, full boarding by 9th grade. It's MA with lots of snow so I can understand why people who live in the area may want this option.

It seems like a lovely school and not one person we've spoken with who is familiar or attended the school loves it.

Presumably you meant that not one person....doesn't love it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm writing an article on shifting trends in junior boarding education and would love to interview any parents or students who have boarded at ages 14 and younger. If you're interested, please respond to this post and I will send you my email address. Thank you!

I attended boarding school at 13 for one year, and it was an escape from my parents messy divorce and other serious problems. It was a progressive co-ed school. I was terribly homesick for my friends and felt I was missing out socially. I had a hard time fitting in because I am slightly introverted and did not make friends easily. Intellectually is was very good and when I went back to public high school I was ahead in foreign language, literature, etc. Although I wasn't happy, I think looking back, it was a good experience because it opened my eyes to travel, other cultures, and taught me to be very independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm writing an article on shifting trends in junior boarding education and would love to interview any parents or students who have boarded at ages 14 and younger. If you're interested, please respond to this post and I will send you my email address. Thank you!

I attended boarding school at 13 for one year, and it was an escape from my parents messy divorce and other serious problems. It was a progressive co-ed school. I was terribly homesick for my friends and felt I was missing out socially. I had a hard time fitting in because I am slightly introverted and did not make friends easily. Intellectually is was very good and when I went back to public high school I was ahead in foreign language, literature, etc. Although I wasn't happy, I think looking back, it was a good experience because it opened my eyes to travel, other cultures, and taught me to be very independent.

Thanks for your comment! It's helpful to hear your perpsective.

[Anonymous]

Why would you send you young child here?

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/lamont/2011/10/22/fessenden-abuse-scandal-it-gets-worse/