Boarding Schools

Boarding schools are independent, college preparatory schools that provide housing facilities for students and faculty. Boarding schools are sometimes referred to as "intentional communities" because the faculty and staff at boarding schools work very hard to create an environment for students that is safe, academically challenging, active, and fun.

Boarding schools are well known for their academic excellence. With small class sizes, diverse curricula, and individual attention from teachers and advisors, the boarding school experience gives students many distinct advantages. During the academic year, boarding schools become extended families where teachers and students live and learn together. The 24-hour community of a boarding school environment allows the faculty to seize every teachable moment whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the dormitory.There are many different types of boarding schools. If you decide boarding school is for you, the first step to choosing a school is to consider what type of school will best serve the student.

There are other types of schools that provide residential facilities for students. Therapeutic schools specifically cater to the special needs of the physically or emotionaly troubled student. Boot Camps are often state-run programs offered to youth as an alternative for incarceration. While boarding schools differ among these broad types, they also differ in their philosophy and mission. Because no two boarding schools are alike, matching a student with an appropriate boarding school is a big step toward ensuring future success.

Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Another option for parents is known as a Therapeutic Boarding School, these are similar to Residential Treatment Centers. They usually offer behavior modification with the additional benefit of therapy. This type of placement is beneficial for a child that is in need of more than just behavior modification. It is also good for a child that may have unresolved issues, that will eventually need to be dealt with. In some cases the negative behavior is the teen’s way of hiding underlying issues. Once they begin to open up it is good to have professional staff available to help them sort through their feelings, and learn how to redirect their anger.

The extent of therapy available varies from program to program, some offer it as a part of their program and others offer it at an additional charge. Some programs offer it on a daily basis and others only once a week. Usually if a school has individual therapy they also have group therapy sessions. This helps the teen feel support from others in the group that have similar issues. Sometimes they are even confronted by their peers when they may be in denial that they really have a problem. Teens will usually respond more favorably to peer criticism than to coming from an adult so this has proven to be very effective in many programs. The typical Therapeutic Boarding School will also have a structured education program in place to help the teen progress academically while they are away from home. This seems to help with self esteem issues and helps make for an easier transition when returning home.