As your child enters middle school, you will probably begin to think more seriously about her high school and college plans. With that in mind let’s take a look at some of the necessary steps you need to take and the challenges you are likely to face as a parent.
Start discussing with your child early
Yes, you are the parent, and you have the authority to make a decision about the school. Unfortunately, making such a decision by yourself will cause more harm than benefit. The trick is to have that conversation with your ward and get him or her to buy into the idea of going away to school.
How does it work? Start early! Begin the process of shaping your child’s decision at least three to four years in advance. If a member of your family is now enrolled at a boarding school, plan a visit to the school and let your child tag along. The more at ease your child is with the prospect of attending boarding school, the happier he/she will be.
Research Boarding Schools
In this step, decide on the factors that are your priorities when choosing a good boarding school – is it class size, cultural diversity, or academic programming? Write down your values and keep this list nearby as you research schools. Then, start a list of schools that have the same values as you and offer other opportunities that could help your child get into a top college.
Here is a quick list of factors to consider in your research:
- Reputation
- Academic programs
- Class size
- Cost
- Extracurricular programs
- Rankings/reviews
- Quality, educated faculty
- Specialty programs
Visiting schools
Visiting schools is a scheduling challenge more than anything else. You will have distilled your school choices, especially with the help of School Finders down to a shortlist of 3 or 4 schools. Now you need to visit each one and directly experience the schools. Those school visits will leave an indelible impression on both you and your child. They will help you make an informed decision on which school would befit you and your child.
During your visit ask the questions you wrote out during your research and take notes on the answers. This will help you to compare schools and decide which ones to apply to. Visiting a school provides a real sense of the community and atmosphere. Pay attention to how you feel on campus and how the staff treats you. More importantly, pay attention to how your child feels.
To make your visit quite easy, we strongly recommend you do your research with the help of school Finders, then pick your best 3 schools, and fix your appointment with the schools. Simple!.
What kinds of extra-curricular activities are offered that encourage the development of your child’s interests?
Find out not only what extra-curricular activities the school offers but also whether they are utilized. What do students feel about the quality of those extra-curricular activities that align with your child’s interests? In addition, what kind of support is available for students with tutoring, writing and math centers, and more formalized support for kids?
Standard of facilities available to Students?
The school’s facilities become part of your child’s daily life and home environment. This means playing fields could be right on their doorstep as well as swimming pools, running tracks, and maybe even a gym. You can also ask about the library, dining facilities, music and arts facilities, and more.
Apply to your preferred choice
This is typically a self-explanatory process, however, don’t forget to plan the fee appropriately, ensure your child prepares adequately for the entrance exam, get all the necessary documents ready, follow the right admission process and ensure you register your child early.
For parents looking for affordable and credible boarding schools, it’s definitely worth considering the boarding schools we have listed here
