The Benefits of Boarding Schools

By Allison Miller

Whether you’re exploring boarding schools out of an interest in a different type of educational environment, or because it’s a family tradition to attend school away from home, there are many benefits to boarding school life. Some of the biggest boarding school benefits include: 

Academic Challenge. Boarding schools provide much more than an academically rigorous curriculum, although high academic standards and challenging courses are frequently the hallmark of a boarding school education. To be admitted, students need to demonstrate they can meet the high standards the schools set. But once in, they are often privy to an impressive selection of course offerings. 

Round-the-Clock Learning. Unlike in traditional public or private schools where teaching ends at 3:00, the learning in boarding schools continues long after the afternoon bell rings. The school day does not start and stop as it does in other scholastic settings. Whether during afternoon study sessions, in discussions over dinner, or as part of practice for the school play, students are constantly exposed to new information about the people and world around them.  

Small Class Size. The personal attention that is possible in a class with fewer students is another major benefit of a boarding school education. Teachers get to know their students extremely well, making it possible to provide one-on-one support and encouragement when needed. Likewise, students form close personal bonds, too.

Rich Extracurricular Activities. While parents may worry about the supervision their child receives outside of the classroom, the truth is that boarding schools offer a wide range of activities to engage students during free time. From sports to art, music, special interest clubs and volunteer opportunities, students are kept busy from morning to night. 

Family Atmosphere. When students and teachers live and study together 24/7, close personal relationships are formed unlike any other at a traditional day school. Your roommates and classmates typically become life-long friends. 

Supported Independence. Although students who attend boarding school are generally more independent, almost out of necessity, they are rarely unsupervised. Learning to make smart decisions, in a safe environment, is another major benefit of the boarding school experience.

Relationships with Colleges. Some, but not all, boarding schools have well-established relationships with college admissions offices, which may provide an advantage to boarding school students who choose to apply. This is more likely to be the case at college preparatory boarding schools, however. 

Boarding schools provide a wealth of opportunities for academic learning and personal growth. Students who enter excited about the chance to be part of the close-knit community are those most likely to succeed.