I am currently at a crossroads moment in my life. I need to decide whether I should go to boarding school for my final two years of high school or not. Some of you may also be in the same boat as I am: questioning whether it’s time to leave the safety and comfort of your home to venture out into the world alone. Luckily, I have researched the pros and cons of boarding schools and shall present them here.
Emotions
From my analysis, emotions involving boarding schools can vary. Some people are very keen on the idea, while others are more hesitant (like me).
You will most likely feel some homesickness, depending on your situation at home. Some of my friends who immediately left the first day of boarding school could not stand leaving their family or friends.
It then poses a pro. Eventually, if you plan on going to college, you would most likely be leaving your family and friends. And there will be that shock of the amount of responsibility that living alone ushers. Going to boarding school at a younger age can prepare for those said shocks. Boarding schools can ease you towards adult life while still keeping some security.
It is crucial to note that many boarding schools offer mental support from staff. My prospective boarding school requires its students to attend mental health seminars and learn lifelong wellness practices. If you have some worries regarding mental health in boarding schools: check if your boarding school offers counseling.
Education
Education, for me, is the number one pro of boarding school. The boarding school that I want to go into offers classes and opportunities to learn new studies that my traditional high school does not offer. For many, boarding schools offer a bridge for students nationwide to climb out of their comfort zone and learn.
Boarding schools can also bring in a diverse type of students. Many of these students who are attending boarding schools are ambitious like us. According to The Association of Boarding Schools, 75% of boarding school students feel their peers are motivated1 (compared to 49% of public school students).
Comparing the average ACT scores of my boarding school and the state average, we see a staggering 10 points difference.
I'm pretty sure all of us can agree that teachers serve as an integral part of our education. After all, who is going to show us all of the things we need to know?
Boarding schools can offer teachers that are more involved with the students. I'm sure we all had that one teacher who seemed to never care about their student, never replying to their emails, and is a living form of Professor Cuthbert Binns.
Luckily, some boarding schools do not like that. In many schools, the teachers live on campus. Plus, you would be living on the campus, so you would have access to all the materials you'll need at your front door!
New Experiences
This section is my favorite. If somehow the pros I listed so far do not apply to your prospective boarding school, this would.
Living by yourself will be difficult. You'll learn that many of the things that your parents bring will suddenly disappear. You'll have to wash your clothes, order your food, and get your entertainment. The list goes on. Many of my friends who currently live by themselves say that the biggest problem was the amount of responsibilities. It can be a double-edged sword. You can either break down and cry or learn and adapt from it!
The last new thing you'll experience is the people you'll meet! You will be living with people you have probably never seen and learn alongside them. But don't let that discourage you. You will meet individuals who share the same interests as you and find people that you will love to hang out with.
Closing Thoughts
I'm not saying that boarding schools are essential to becoming successful. I've seen multiple people going to Ivy schools with public high school education. I'm just saying that there are extra perks that boarding schools provide that public high schools cannot. If you see yourself enjoying boarding schools, then go ahead, join! If not, it's also fine! Everyone's path is different, and in the end, you should always go for what you believe.
Citation:
“Discover Your Potential at Boarding School.” BoardingSchools.com, 24 Mar. 2021, www.boardingschools.com/why-boarding-school/.
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