Boarding schools are another great educational option for New York City families. There are many excellent programs around the area, each offering unique philosophies, specializations, and opportunities. While there are clear advantages to sending your child to a boarding school, it’s a big decision, and it has to feel like the right fit for your family. Some schools offer summer programs to allow your child to try it out and see if it feels like a good fit beforehand.
Applying to boarding school can almost feel like applying to college, as you are sending your child away to learn. It's important to understand all the factors involved to determine if this path is something worth exploring further.
There are several aspects to consider when evaluating whether a boarding school is right for your family. What school size works best for your child? Do you prefer a single-gender school or co-ed? How do the school's values and sense of community align with your family’s? Keep an open mind—there are many schools out there, and I encourage you not to limit your search to just those you’re familiar with. Consider the following:
Day vs. Full-Time Boarding
Most boarding schools are fully residential, meaning students live on campus seven days a week. Some offer five-day programs where students live at the school during the week but go home on weekends. For some families, this option feels less overwhelming, as it allows for more family time and can ease the intensity of the immersive social environment. Others find the constant transition between school and home challenging. Some schools also offer a day option, where students attend during the day but don’t live on campus. While this works for some families, others may feel that if they choose boarding school, they want the full residential experience.
Special Features
Many schools offer unique programs, tracks, or state-of-the-art facilities tailored to specific interests. Some focus on sports and have strong athletic programs, while others excel in art, science and nature experiences, entrepreneurship, or have state of the art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) labs. If your child has a passion, this could be an opportunity to deepen their engagement in that area.
Location
The school’s location impacts how frequently and easily your child can come home and how often you can visit or attend events like performances or sports games.
International Students
Some schools have a large international student population, which can add diversity and a global influence. For some families, this is a desirable feature to seek out.
Student Interests and Personality
Think about who your child is—their personality, independence, and interests. How would they handle being in a completely new environment with possible strong academic demands? How would they adjust to a major change in their living situation? Would they thrive in a near-constant social setting?
Boarding school offers students a great deal of freedom to manage their daily routines. For some, this is an exciting opportunity for personal growth; for others, it can feel overwhelming. Consider whether your child currently takes initiative in asking for help from adults when they need academic or personal support. Do they manage their personal lives independently—maintaining a schedule, personal hygiene, and other self-care tasks? If so, they might thrive in a self-directed boarding school environment. If not, they might need more time to develop these skills before taking on increased personal responsibility.
Boarding schools also offer an intense social environment, where students interact around the clock—from classes to after-school activities to evening study and social time. For some students, this constant social interaction is a huge benefit, while others may need more alone time. Consider how your child manages their social energy and whether a 24/7 environment would suit them.
Learning Support
If your child needs learning support to succeed, some schools specialize in offering extended academic assistance. With staff living on campus, they can provide more consistent support, such as additional office hours or personalized guidance.
Family
Consider how boarding school will affect your family dynamic and your child’s relationships with you or other family members. How will these relationships change if your child is away for extended periods? This ties into the location of the school and how often your child will be able to come home for weekends or holidays.
School Leadership
When sending your child to a boarding school, it’s crucial that you feel comfortable with the school’s leadership. Spend time learning about the school’s values and philosophy to ensure they align with your family’s principles.
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There are many boarding school options available, each offering unique community feels and experiences. It’s a major decision, so be sure to weigh all these considerations to determine whether boarding school is the right fit for your child.
As always, feel free to reach out with any further questions!
Mandy