College and university preparations usually include placement tests, applications, community service projects and other activities. But those are just ways to help your child get into the college of their choice. Once they are accepted, how can you prepare your child for college or university and the big life changes that may come with it?
A boarding program offers unique ways to help your child prepare for college or university life. The boarding school experience is often thought of as out of reach, like something you only see in a movie. In reality, it’s much more common than you might think – and not just available on the East Coast. Most families don’t realize that not only is boarding school an attainable option, there are variations that can work for almost every family situation and it’s a great opportunity to prepare your child for college or university life.
Below are the top ways a boarding program can help prepare students for life after high school.
Increasing development of independence and interpersonal skills
Through a boarding program, students are able to gain independence through control over their schedule and downtime. Not only do students manage their time, they learn how to live and communicate with other people from around the world. This helps ease students into college life and beyond, preparing them to build relationships and create a safe and inclusive community with those they spend time with – even those from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
Additionally, students are able to develop their individual passions and interests as they are surrounded by opportunity. According to boardingschools.com, students who board are more likely to focus on extracurriculars such as music, theatre, and sports, rather than TV and video games.
Staying focused on academics
Without the many distractions that come with a typical household, students are able to maintain a consistent schedule and remain focused on school. Boarding students can focus better on their studies as they are surrounded by peers who also value academics and campus involvement. These young scholars have a great opportunity to perform better academically because they live in an environment that is conducive to learning.
Developing responsibility
Boarding students have the unique opportunity to make their own decisions about how they spend their free time and in which activities they participate. With this freedom comes great responsibility. In a boarding program, counselors, residential life parents and teachers all play an important role in helping teach students the importance of personal responsibility. How to make the responsible, best choice at a young age is an invaluable lesson to learn. A lesson that students carry with them to college, university and beyond.
Engaging in campus activities
The student life environment of a boarding program often closely resembles that of a college campus. Students form tight knit bonds with their fellow boarders and in turn participate in campus activities together. This may include sporting events, trips, extracurricular activities and clubs.
Accessing resources and teachers
Similar to the way students access resources while on a college campus, a boarding program provides access to on-campus resources at almost any time, day or night. And with a full-time boarding program, the resources are at student’s disposal on weekends and school holidays as well. These can include libraries, technology, maker spaces, or sports and fine arts facilities.
In addition, a boarding program provides greater access to teachers, counselors, coaches, and more. This allows students to have more differentiated, one-on-one time with their instructors, provides access to college and university counseling at non-peak times, and could provide individualized training from coaches.
While boarding can often seem like something unattainable or unrealistic, it’s happening all over the United States and setting students up for success at college or university. The Village School in Houston, a Pre-K through 12th grade day and boarding school, offers seven- and five-day boarding programs for students seventh grade and up. For more information on Village’s boarding programs, visit thevillageschool.com/boarding.
The Village School is home to a collaborative global community. Recognized for our excellence in STEAM education, world-class internships, and differentiated programs, we offer a rigorous but nurturing individualized environment that prepares students for the best universities around the world.
