the world of boarding schools

THE WORLD OF BOARDING SCHOOLS: A SECONDARY

SCHOOL OPTION

Chip Law October 14 2014Educational Avenues www.eduave.com

http://www.eduave.com/

© Educational Avenues 2014 www.eduave.com

What we’ll cover

Boarding school overviewMythsReasons to attendSelection process-best fitOther boarding alternativesTrends and resultsQ & A



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



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




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%




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.




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



“Other” Boarding Schools

LD schools ADHD Dyslexia NLD/Spectrum

Emotional growth schools Failure to thrive Structure

Therapeutic schools Mental health Therapy first priority



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



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



Boarding School-why?

Special Talents Athletics Music Dance Theater Fine arts




Teacher and Adult Access Enough time with teachers, coaches and advisors?

See teachers as intimidating or unresponsive?

Know learning style/best way to learn?



Boarding School-why or when?

Self Advocacy What works? What doesn’t? Getting what’s needed? Confident? Healthy sense of self?




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?



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?



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?



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?



Boarding School-why or when?Learning differences

Learning style? Psycho-ed evaluation? Can’t read at grade level? Labeled as “dumb”? Remediation? IEP?



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




Student assessment In-depth interviews Academic and readiness review MMTIC©-personality/learning style Personal goals SSAT




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.




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



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



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%


http://www.boardingschools.com/discover/bigpicture.aspx

http://www.boardingschools.com/discover/bigpicture.aspx


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


http://www.boardingschools.com/

http://sss.nais.org/parents

http://www.ssat.org/

http://www.smallboardingschools.org/

http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/

http://www.boardingschools.us/

http://www.eduave.com/services/boarding-gap-year

http://www.eduave.com/services/boarding-gap-year