THE WORLD OF BOARDING SCHOOLS: A SECONDARY
SCHOOL OPTION
Chip Law October 14 2014Educational Avenues www.eduave.com
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What we’ll cover
Boarding school overviewMythsReasons to attendSelection process-best fitOther boarding alternativesTrends and resultsQ & A
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Definition
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals.
wikipedia
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Traditional Boarding Schools
Traditional private boarding schools (averages) Number of schools: 330 (100K+
students) Gross revenue: around $3 Billion Year founded: 1908 Religious affiliation: non-denominational College prep: grades 9-12 Campus size: 125 acres
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Traditional Boarding Schools
Students: 300+ Offer 15 AP courses and 10 or more
honors classes Faculty: 2/3 with an advanced degree Class size:12 Teacher/student ratio:1to 7 Students of color:18% International: 20% Boarding: 67%
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Traditional Boarding Schools
Types of traditional boarding schools* All boys: 44 All girls: 28 Military: 22 Junior (grades 7-9):14 Arts: 4 Remainder are traditional co-ed
One third of traditional schools offer LD services
* A number of states have special boarding schools funded by the public to serve the gifted and talented.
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Traditional Boarding Schools
Tuition: $48,000 and rising annually
Students on FA: 35% (SSS/PFS) Similar to CSS profile
Endowment-$15 Million Fund raising key to survival and
affordability for families
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“Other” Boarding Schools
LD schools ADHD Dyslexia NLD/Spectrum
Emotional growth schools Failure to thrive Structure
Therapeutic schools Mental health Therapy first priority
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Boarding school myths
Only bad kids are “sent away” Traditional schools do NOT want bad kids “Bad” kids are sent to wilderness
programs and/or therapeutic schools Only snobs or the rich attend those
schools MOST schools recruit and retain student
bodies that reflect traditional socio-economic norms and balance
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Boarding school myths
They cost too much Net cost comparable to local private schools Extensive use of endowments to retain families
Family connections are threatened 86% of students: satisfied with family life. Boarding is family-community 24/7
They are hotbeds for alcohol and drugs High degree of supervision:1 or 2 strike rules Exposure potential 18% private, 5% boarding
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Boarding School-why?
Special Talents Athletics Music Dance Theater Fine arts
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Boarding School-why?
Teacher and Adult Access Enough time with teachers, coaches and advisors?
See teachers as intimidating or unresponsive?
Know learning style/best way to learn?
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Boarding School-why or when?
Self Advocacy What works? What doesn’t? Getting what’s needed? Confident? Healthy sense of self?
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Boarding School-why?
Maturity Ready for the transition to college? Life skills? Social skills and competence? Critical thinking and written expression?
Self-regulation/time management? Dealing with temptations?
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Boarding school-why?
Poor grades or motivation Sudden changes? Work seems too hard or too easy?
Work is boring? School is a distraction? Learning issues?
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Boarding School-why or whenPeer issues or social acceptance Change in grades + change in peers?
Cannot find a social fit? Peers seek risky dangerous or antisocial activity?
Shy or awkward?
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Boarding School-why or when?Family issues
Household move? Divorce? Death of parent or sibling? Parents do not get along? Hostile or unsafe environment?
Unrealistic expectations?
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Boarding School-why or when?Learning differences
Learning style? Psycho-ed evaluation? Can’t read at grade level? Labeled as “dumb”? Remediation? IEP?
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EA School Selection Process
An organized structured family process
Family student expectations/goals Size Geography Academically suitable Extracurricular and special offerings Focus on specific talent or skill
development
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EA School Selection Process
Student assessment In-depth interviews Academic and readiness review MMTIC©-personality/learning style Personal goals SSAT
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EA School Selection Process
Assimilate school list fitting family expectations and student assessments (previous slides) Develop in-depth student profile Present profile to each school on the list
Advocate on behalf of student with key school personnel in addition to admissions Coaches, academic deans, heads of school,
learning specialists etc.
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EA School Selection Process
Get congruence from schools on student fit
Present list to family Prep for school visits and interviews Guide application process for January
15 submission Decision from school by March 10 Assist family with final decision Deposit due April 1
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Trends: traditional boarding
Its cool to be smart New affordability strategies
Authentic 1st gen and minority recruiting Investing in serving the LD population Strict limits on international admissions Recruiting and admitting more girls Interdisciplinary instruction Curricula addressing societal/civic issues Strong policies: behavior and safety
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The results are in!
Source: www.boardingschools.com/discover/bigpicture.aspx
Key point Public Private BoardingMy school is challenging 50% 70% 91%Around motivated students 49% 71% 75%Opportunity for leadership 52% 60% 77%Very prepared for college 23% 36% 78%Top management mid career 27% 33% 44%Top management late career 27% 39% 52%Advanced degree 21% 36% 50%Great teachers 51% 62% 90%Social safety (drugs/alcohol) 60% 82% 95%Not exposed to cheating 25% 31% 70%College couseling help 13% 23% 41%
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Resources
For additional information: www.boardingschools.com TABS sss.nais.org/parents SSS/PFS www.ssat.org SSAT www.smallboardingschools.org SBSA www.boardingschoolreview.com www.boardingschools.us www.eduave.com/services/boarding-g
ap-year