The boarding school system has existed for centuries, however, it is still a popular topic for debate, thanks to the innumerable stereotypes attached to it.
So, if you are confused about whether you should send your child to boarding school or not, here are some reasons to consider:
1) Holistic development:
Since boarding schools are not just a place where students come to study but actually live, these schools are responsible to motivate, engage and fuel students, while also acting as their guardians in the absence of their parents. So, apart from providing students with in-depth academic knowledge, most boarding schools also focus on children’s all-around development including communication skills, fitness, creativity, problem-solving, decision-making and overall intellectual abilities. Most boarding schools are located outside of city centres, where there is enough space for state-of-the-art facilities including art studios, swimming pools, well-equipped playgrounds, fitness rooms and other athletic and inventive offerings. This enables students to participate in extracurricular activities right on campus.
2) On-campus faculty:
Most boarding schools have smaller classes, which means more personalised attention for your child. Apart from this, teachers also live on campus, so they offer guidance outside of the classroom as well. Therefore, boarding schools can provide an immersive, intellectually-challenging environment for students where teachers are not only educators but also friends, mentors and life coaches.
3) Independent lifestyle:
Boarding schools encourage students to carry out everyday chores, manage academic assignments, control monetary spending and monitor eating habits on their own, without relying on a family member. This not only makes them independent but also helps them become more responsible, mature and mindful. In the short term, this helps students transition smoothly to the university life that awaits them and in the long term, has lasting impressions on their personalities and transforms them into emotionally strong and confident individuals.
4) Student life:
A sociological and cultural melting pot, boarding schools typically admit students from all over the world. Some belong to different cultures, while others have diverse economic and social backgrounds. All students stay together and learn together, which not only increases every student’s knowledge of traditions and practices across geographies but also improves their communication skills and tolerance while widening their perspectives. These qualities are indispensable at university and in workplaces.
5) Building a network:
At boarding school, students actually live with their friends. They study, participate in various sports and learn extracurricular activities along with their close friends, right on campus. This sharpens their communication skills, interpersonal skills, persuasion skills and conflict resolution. Apart from this, living with the same group of people for an extended period of time also allows students to establish a bond that transcends geographies, societies and cultures, leading to a strong support system.
Sending your child to boarding school is a difficult decision, one that requires a lot of thought and family discussions. To know more about boarding schools in India and globally, please get in touch with us!
