When choosing the right boarding school for your child, what are the factors and issues you should consider in your decision? How can you rate a school in such areas as safety, campus amenities and discipline? What is most important: extra curricular offerings or the teaching staff's qualifications? Is the school you are considering one of the top ten schools for academics, or one of the top ten popular schools? The answer could make a great difference to you and your child.
Campus
If the campus is located near enough for parents and friends to visit the student, is open visiting allowed? Will the child be able to visit home when you want him to? Is the campus modern? Is it clean? Well maintained? Are the buildings in good shape?
Are the facilities convenient and homelike for meals and rooming? Will your child be able to feel safe and comfortable there? Will he have the physical provisions and conveniences he needs to be a happy and successful student?
Are rooms private and safe? Are the house parents well suited to their job? Is the overall campus safe and well-lighted? Is the campus secure? Are security officers on duty? Are the students supervised carefully?
Teaching Staff
Is the teaching staff qualified? How many of the teachers have degrees in the area they are teaching? Equally important may be the question of there being enough teachers so that they are not overburdened at your child's expense.
Compare the number of staff members to the number of students, those boarding (include the number of students attending "day only" classes at the school.) This student to teacher ratio can make a huge difference in your child's success.
The demeanor and dress of the staff and the students tells a parent much about how well the school is run and how content and enthusiastic the students are.
Cost
The school cost should be comparable to other school in the local with similar conditions and amenities. If it is much lower, a parent should find out why. If it is much higher, he should ask why.
Are there many hidden costs involved? For example, will the students have to pay fees for equipment and supplies, uniforms, transportation, etc.?
How large is the boarding school's endowment? Is the school managed soundly or is it unstable financially speaking?
Course Choice and Excellence
Consider what courses of study are offered. Does the school offer the education your child needs? If he is there for arts or music or a basic general education, does the school have the right courses available for him? Check the schools brochures, course lists or website to find what courses are taught. What is the school's rating scholastically?
Compare schools through a website such as www.privateschoolreview.com and the NAIS, National Association of Independent Schools. Such an important decision is worth sending much time researching and comparing.
 | If you're thinking about boarding school, think about what you want your child to achieve. Academic, therapeutic and military schools all take very different approaches to education. |
Ready to send your child to a year round boarding school? Here's a list of must-have items. |
 | The cost of boarding school can be prohibitive. Luckily, there are many boarding school scholarships. Where can you find a scholarship to help send your child to school? |
 | What are the pros and cons of boarding school, specifically, an all girls' baording school? The benefits of a girls' boarding school may outweigh the potential disadvantages, but this largely depends on your daughter's personality. |
Native American boarding schools have a higher rate of students who go on to college, possibly because the cultural history and traditions of Native Americans are respected. |
