Considering boarding school - son currently in 7th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP. Just wanted to give you some solidarity. We're sending our 6th grader to boarding school in January. It is absolutely the only decision for the mental health of our entire family. Yes, we will be harshly judged as parents but if 2020 has taught us anything it's that you need to do what is best for YOUR family. Definitely go North for schools though unless your are looking at Episcopal. Good luck with the decision! Boarding school can be an amazing experience for many kids. Hope it is the case with yours!

On

So we'll said. People are so judgey.Europeans have been sending kids to boarding school for years. Americans are so parochial

[Anonymous]

I went to boarding school for one year mid HS. I would have benefited greatly by going from the start or not at all. I was my idea to go not my parent's. IF you do go that route, and I believe strongly that your son's feelings should be the main determination, then I suggest you find a place that has a number exciting programs ( sports, music etc) that can keep our son busy and active. I visited a few schools back when I was 16, in other parts of the country, and only one seemed like a great place once I visited in person. So do your research!! Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Son is in FCPS.
He loves school - or at least he did, before COVID. He is highly social. He has never been prepped or tutored and is doing well in AAP, immersion language, and Algebra 1 HN in spite of it being virtual. He is interested in social issues and history, and is a very solid swimmer on a year round team.

The reasons I am considering boarding school for him for 9th (and maybe even 8th) are several, as I see them:

1. Complete failure of FCPS to provide an environment where my son can learn and grow socially (and he has a large social appetite) and this is important
2. Opportunities for independence. He wants this but in our current situation he just doesn’t have this
3. More academic rigor. He’s actually complained about this in current school.
4. My job as parent would change from feeding/driving/micromanaging to a different type of parental relationship, maybe sort of an advisor
5. His dad will be overseas for several years. My career is also demanding. We do get good time off from our jobs but when I’m working it’s intense. We’re divorced. Selling house soon and may move around a little. Boarding school would be stable.

Does this sound like a good situation for him? Where could we reasonably expect him to get in where he would thrive? Dad’s family will pay for it.

Stop blaming COVID and the school system. This isn't a covid issue. Send the kid to live with Dad. That's pretty sad that you don't want to parent and your career is the priority. He needs that social outlet as he has two uninvolved parents who don't want him living with them.

He may not want to go with Dad. Dad is going overseas for 3 years. It might not be a place DS wants to go to.
And yes, aside from making sure my kids are healthy and happy, my career is a priority. I am not going to apologize for that and I do not believe it makes me a bad mom. And I believe my son is the kind of kid who would be happy and healthy at boarding school.

He's a kid. Its not about what he wants and may have a great experience. If mom cannot take care of him, then he needs to go with Dad.

[Anonymous]

Boarding school is a great option this year. Kids are on campus, —going to class and playing sports every day. They wear masks and get tested. Lots of opportunities for social interaction. Our DD loves it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are a parent. If you don’t want to parent, just say so. Your son can get a good education while he is living with you unless you live in the middle of nowhere. Sounds like you just want to be done with parenting from your post and those are some reasons to justify it.

Seriously, go away.

[Anonymous]

The 2 boarding schools I’m privy to have created environments that are like living in a world pre-Covid. Bubble created. If you can afford it, it’s an amazing opportunity for your child, particularly now. Anyone who says otherwise, isn’t aware or is jealous because they can’t afford it for their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a parent. If you don’t want to parent, just say so. Your son can get a good education while he is living with you unless you live in the middle of nowhere. Sounds like you just want to be done with parenting from your post and those are some reasons to justify it.

People like you are such assholes. Seriously, how do you sleep at night knowing you are incredibly rude to people you don't know.

And by the way, your post says way more about you than you think it does. You think you're superior but you're actually just a small-minded, petty, insecure person.

I have no dog in this fight because I didn't go to boarding school and my kids are so young we haven't considered it, but I can't stand assholes like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Son is in FCPS.
He loves school - or at least he did, before COVID. He is highly social. He has never been prepped or tutored and is doing well in AAP, immersion language, and Algebra 1 HN in spite of it being virtual. He is interested in social issues and history, and is a very solid swimmer on a year round team.

The reasons I am considering boarding school for him for 9th (and maybe even 8th) are several, as I see them:

1. Complete failure of FCPS to provide an environment where my son can learn and grow socially (and he has a large social appetite) and this is important
2. Opportunities for independence. He wants this but in our current situation he just doesn’t have this
3. More academic rigor. He’s actually complained about this in current school.
4. My job as parent would change from feeding/driving/micromanaging to a different type of parental relationship, maybe sort of an advisor
5. His dad will be overseas for several years. My career is also demanding. We do get good time off from our jobs but when I’m working it’s intense. We’re divorced. Selling house soon and may move around a little. Boarding school would be stable.

Does this sound like a good situation for him? Where could we reasonably expect him to get in where he would thrive? Dad’s family will pay for it.

[i][/b]Stop blaming COVID and the school system. This isn't a covid issue. Send the kid to live with Dad. That's pretty sad that you don't want to parent and your career is the priority. He needs that social outlet as he has two uninvolved parents who don't want him living with them.

[b]

this

[Anonymous]

OP - I taught in college for a few years and many of the parents here will be the ones calling to complain about DC grades when they are 20! DH went to boarding school and loved it. It was the best option for him and though hard for his parents they all agree it was the best decision. We have friends who send every grandchild to boarding school - all with positive experiences.

Only limitation in my mind would be DC opinion in all this.

[Anonymous]

Boarding schools are closed due to COVID, Genius!

[Anonymous]

Excellent swim program at the Bolles School in FL. You might want to check it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boarding schools are closed due to COVID, Genius!

Um not all of them. They live in a bubble.

[Anonymous]

Poor kid.

Unless it’s his choice and he asked, this is cruel.

I felt the sane you did about APS- so I set my kid to private HS for 9–12. Not boarding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boarding schools are closed due to COVID, Genius!

Idiot

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should look at Episcopal (Alexandria) —even if that’s not the exact school for him it would be a way to look at a boarding school locally and give you a point from which to start comparing schools. And if you do like it, there are definitely other Nova kids there. Kind of a good compromise where kid is at school most of the time but can easily come home if needed.

Also, know that private day HS can have much longer hours than public. Some have dinner and late study hall options.

Since boarding school is such a major life changing decision, I would at least meet with an educational consultant to better understand the pros and cons and what might be a good fit for your child.