04 Aug Can Boarding Schools Boost Academic Performance? Discover
Boarding schools offer a unique educational experience. With a structured daily routine, students have the opportunity to focus on their studies and develop independence and self-discipline.
They also live in close proximity to peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, fostering a community of inclusion and enhancing cross-cultural awareness. They learn to appreciate differences and adapt in a fast-changing global environment.
Smaller Class Sizes
Smaller class sizes are a hallmark of boarding schools, where teachers know each student well enough to tailor instruction to their strengths and weaknesses. Students feel comfortable asking questions, engage in class discussion and gain confidence that the information they’re learning is actually being retained. In addition, because teachers are in smaller classrooms more frequently, they can better identify when a student is doing exceptionally well and needs to be challenged further or, vice versa, is struggling and requires extra attention.
Boarding school faculty also build strong relationships with students outside the classroom, as many volunteers to coach or chaperone co-curricular activities such as sports teams, clubs and trips abroad. They are a source of consistent guidance and mentorship that can make all the difference in a student’s life, particularly as they navigate homesickness, learn time management skills and work toward their academic goals.
Students at boarding schools come from diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds, creating a rich learning experience in a community of like-minded peers. This exposure to different perspectives fosters tolerance and broadens a student’s world view, helping them to embrace a global society that is increasingly interconnected.
While Hollywood makes boarding schools look like Lord of the Flies and some students may have negative experiences, the vast majority of boarders find their boarding school experience transformative and life changing. However, choosing the right boarding school is essential. It’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of boarding schools against your child’s individual needs and expectations, and to ensure that you choose a school that will be a good fit. This is especially true if you are considering a private day or boarding school for your child.
A More Challenging Environment
In a smaller class size, students are given the opportunity to work closely with their teachers. Teachers can more fully assess each student’s learning style and provide them with personalized attention and encouragement. This allows students to have a more holistic educational experience, which boosts academic performance in all subjects.
Boarding schools also offer a more challenging environment for their students. This is because students often have access to academic resources outside of the classroom, such as libraries and study spaces. Additionally, many boarding schools encourage students to pursue their interests through extracurricular activities, like sports teams, art classes and more. This helps them develop a well-rounded skill set that makes them more attractive candidates for college admissions and future employment.
Finally, a boarding school environment can teach students to be more self-sufficient. Living away from home teaches students how to manage their time and navigate complex social situations on their own. This translates to improved character growth and greater resilience to life’s challenges.
One of the biggest things to consider when deciding whether your child is ready for a full boarding school experience is their level of independence. Think about how independent your child is in their day-to-day life – do they manage their own schedule, keep up with hygiene and personal care tasks on their own? If not, they might struggle with the transition to a largely self-directed environment.
Another thing to consider is how your child’s family supports them in their boarding school education. If they are not fully supportive of their academic and professional goals, it might be best to consider other options for your child. However, if your family is fully behind your child’s efforts to thrive in a rigorous academic environment, then they can provide the necessary support to help them achieve success.
Personalized Attention
In a boarding school, teachers are available around the clock to help students. They live on campus and can answer students’ questions about upcoming essays on Cold War history or offer extra help in math class. This round-the-clock support helps students improve their confidence and self-assurance.
In addition to academic support, boarding schools also offer a variety of other learning opportunities that help students develop critical thinking skills and prepare for life in the workforce. They often encourage students to think for themselves and to engage in thoughtful discussion with their peers, which teaches them how to evaluate and consider multiple viewpoints. These skills are highly valuable in today’s competitive job market and can greatly enhance students’ career prospects.
The unique learning environment that boarding schools provide also gives students an opportunity to explore their interests and passions. Many boarding schools have special programs or facilities designed for particular student activities, including sports, arts, business, nature and STEM. This allows students to dive deeper into their interests and may even inspire them to pursue their passions as a career down the road.
While it’s certainly true that boarding schools can boost academic performance, the right boarding school will depend on your child’s individual needs and preferences. Make sure to take into consideration whether your child is a self-starter, able to manage their own time and personal responsibilities in a largely self-directed environment and if they’re ready to commit to a rigorous curriculum. Also, think about location: If your child is far from home, it might be difficult for them to visit their family or attend games/performances on the weekend. You’ll also want to think about how your child will be able to travel back and forth from school during holidays and vacations.
More Time to Study
Boarding schools offer students a focused academic environment. With fewer distractions and more time to study, students can learn better. Whether they need to brush up on a math problem or have questions about their history assignment, they can quickly and easily access the resources they need to excel in their studies.
In addition, boarding school students benefit from round-the-clock mentorship from their teachers and house parents. These adults serve as positive role models, encouraging students to be their best selves in the classroom and beyond. They also create stability during school transitions and events, fostering long-term positive self-esteem in their students.
Many boarding schools also have a global curriculum, exposing students to international issues and cultures. This helps them develop a broader perspective and gives them an edge in today’s interconnected world.
Finally, living away from home encourages students to become leaders in their school community. From serving as a class representative to heading student clubs and organizations, these leadership opportunities help students to practice decision-making, teamwork, and communication—all skills that will be valuable in the workplace and in their personal lives.
If you are thinking of sending your child to a boarding school, it is important to choose one that has the right fit for them. Keep in mind that boarding schools are highly social environments, so they may not be a good fit for every student. If you decide to send your child to a boarding school, make sure to talk to them about their expectations and goals for the future, and make regular check-ins with their teachers. This will ensure that your child is getting the support they need to be successful at their boarding school and throughout their life.
Dedicated Support
In addition to teachers and occassionally good fees, like dehradun boarding school fees, boarding school staff members like house parents provide mentorship in many ways. They are available to help students navigate homesickness, choose extracurricular activities and more. They also serve as role models and demonstrate the importance of studying hard. The result is that boarding school students grow up to be self-starters and learn to manage their time and responsibilities well.
Boarding schools typically have smaller classrooms, which means they can offer individualized attention to each student. This is especially beneficial to those with learning differences, such as dyslexia or ADD/ADHD. Students can work one-on-one with their teachers to develop strategies and study techniques that will help them succeed in class. Additionally, a boarding school environment encourages teachers to be open-minded and flexible. This allows them to try new methods of teaching, such as the Socratic Method that promotes discussion and exploration of topics among students and teachers.
The ability to participate in a variety of activities outside of the classroom is another aspect of boarding school life that helps boost academic performance. Most boarding schools have facilities to support students’ interests, including sports teams, arts and clubs, and special spaces like performing arts studios, engineering labs and more. This provides students with a broader education that helps them become more well-rounded and prepared for college and beyond.
It’s important to note that boarding schools don’t necessarily provide more supervision than colleges, so it’s essential to consider your child’s independence level before making the decision to send them to school away from home. Many parents choose to send their children to boarding school in the 9th or 10th grade, with some even offering post-graduate programs for 18 or 19-year olds that can be helpful for college admissions, deeper involvement in passions or pre-professional pursuits and more.