Private Boarding Schools

Private Boarding Schools are often associated with privilege as they are with academic discipline and a focused college preparatory mindset. Many parents see private boarding schools as oases of order in an ever complex world filled with negative influences on their children. For those who wish to remove their children from those influences and to place them in an environment which is academically rigorous as well as filled with close-knit like minded peers, private boarding schools are often seen as the best options.

Private Boarding schools are often thought of as being characteristic of English culture and society. However, of the 1, 500 boarding schools worldwide, 370 are located in the United States. Private boarding schools today reflect changes in today’s society. There are more private boarding schools tailored toward the needs of troubled teens, including very non-traditional boarding schools for teenage parents. The typical students at private boarding schools were once white and Protestant, but diversity at these institutions is increasing to match the trends of society; 10-12% of Private Boarding School students are from countries outside of the United States, and 15% are students of color. Not all of these students are from wealthy families; $400 million is given annually by private boarding schools in the form of need-bases scholarships, and 31% of students cover their tuition through some form of financial aid.

There are many advantages for students who wish to attend private boarding schools. The constant interaction with other students leads to the kind of bonding which can last a lifetime. Single sex education has been proven to be beneficial to both male and female students, and especially conducive to the self-esteem and academic performance of girls. Private boarding schools provide a low student-teacher ration, averaging 12-1 and some classes having 6-1. Since athletics and extra-curricular activities take place in the same environment, there is a more holistic approach to education at private boarding schools. And of course, the Harry Potter phenomenon has made the prospect of attending a private boarding school much more attractive.