Questioning boarding school...mother's dilemma
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Anonymous
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gift
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Anonymous
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So far I have seen five good reasons for borading school:
1 -- the family has done it before it (parents and DC used to idea) 2 -- the child REALLY wants to go because it seems like fun or there is something special and unique about THAT school 3 -- the family lives in an area or a country where there are no better options 4 -- the family/child prefer boarding to being a day student at that same school (logistics and activities and friends) and the one I haven't seen mentioned yet: 5 -- the parents are divorced (or divorcing, or dating, or remarrying) and the child wants/needs a little stability/predictiability. To date, with my DC's friends and with my own friends who went to boarding school, everyone who has fallen into one of those five categories has done well away from home. Those who haven't, haven't. However, BS is not for everyone and YMMV... |
Anonymous
| Andover can provide 100% financial aid. |
Anonymous
| Yesterday 23:10 here. Andover financial aid. We paid room and board, transportation, but tuition was completely covered. I doubt we would have received financial -- Or enough to make it workable -- local independents. Heck, Andover gave us more money in FA than an Ivy. So, yes, enormously grateful. |
Anonymous
| I would nor send my child to boarding school. I went and did well, but I believe teenagers need to be a full time member of a family until they go off to college. |
Anonymous
| You are going to miss out on 4 very important years of your son's life. If he is at a local private, you will be able to guide him through those important years and look out for him (it's alot easier to tell if he is stoned when he's under your roof). Trust your gut. |
Anonymous
Only if you believe boarding school means checking out as a parent in your child's life for 4 years. My parents never did that with 6 kids all of whom attended public schools, public day schools and prestigious NE boarding schools. In fact, my parents remained present in our lives at Ivy league and LACs, professional schools as well as postgraduate fellowship stints in UK and Canada. My parents never had the problem you are referring to and we are not having this problem with our kids. I agree, if this is a problem for your children and you had better keep them physically close to you to accommodate your needs. This issues may also continue well into adulthood and I know a few families with their 30 and 40-year-olds, unmarried, and very content still in the family house. It's about fit. |
Anonymous
| To the previous poster, YAWN! Why bore us by listing your college and accomplishments? I'm sure your parents were involved and you were close. However there is a difference when your kids are sleeping under your roof, you are having dinner together, their friends are coming over, etc. Our friends and family went to boarding schools and even served on the board. It's my opinion that high school kids benefit from living at home during those years, but I am sure that kids also benefit from being at boarding school. Please don't forget to take your meds today and respect other peoples' opinions that might be different from yours. (Didn't you learn that at one of those schools?) |
Anonymous
Get off the fence. Which is it? Are you trying to make your argument both ways? Do you mean to say high school kids get the greatest benfit when boarding school is their home? |
Anonymous
| I think it's best for high school kids to be living with their parents during that time (when their brain is not fully formed), but boarding school is a good option for plenty of kids. Is that OK with you? If not, I don't give a rat's rump! |
Anonymous
Just make sure he could get into Andover on his OWN merits and not those of being a legacy admission - getting in because his dad is alum. If he wouldn't be accepted on his own, he will struggle academically and that will affect his experience being he is so far from home. |
Anonymous
| Not all legacy applicants are admitted. Andover doesn't want its students to fell. I know an Andover alum whose child was not admitted. Went to another boarding school. |
Anonymous
The legacy admits for Andover and similar elite private boarding schools is about the same as many Ivies, 1 in 3. These prep schools have huge endowments and draw students internationally so they can afford to be picky. |
Anonymous
Exactly. They can and do provide 100% merit/need based scholarships to outstanding students who may not be able to attend otherwise and participate in programs like Prep for Prep. 'Course you have to be admitted first. |
Anonymous
| My sister and I went to Sidwell, my brother to Choate, each with different experiences. Totally agree that the kid should drive the decision, there are pros and cons and you will regret it if you force a choice on them that doesn't work out. |