Students rarely succeed when they are overwhelmed. Likewise, students become bored and underachieve in learning environments that are not challenging enough. Trust the admission offices, which are trying to enroll students that will fit in socially and thrive academically. The size of a boarding school can Directly affect its personality, traditions, sense of community, and academic rigor. As one could guess, schools that serve students are likely to serve a broader range of students in terms of cognitive abilities.
The smaller the school, the more emphasis there will be on individual achievement and community. The larger schools tend to be the most academically rigorous. They are also the schools that do not accept a wide range of students in terms of their cognitive abilities or social development.
Students entering one of the bigger schools will need to have a heightened level of independence and a stronger sense of self. If you already know what you want to study and what field you want to enter, read the course catalog carefully. Pay particular attention to extra-curricular activities and "field trips" that fit with your hobbies, sports and interests.
Look at the list of teachers at the school. You may find that one school has a science chair who formerly worked as a physician or a veterinarian. Some of the teaching faculty may still have one foot in the "real world" and be practicing what they teach and applying what they know. Obviously this is ideal. Contact specific teachers by email, ask them questions, and try to arrange a time to meet if you visit campus. Could you see yourself being spending significant time learning from this individual?
These are crucial things to investigate. This is also true for artists, musicians, and athletes. Make sure you are comfortable with a coach or instructor's philosophy and approach. These are the people who shape your experience.
Tour the facilities and buildings, or look at them on line. This is where you will spend the most time. Though the faculty is more important to success, it is also nice to have a facility that is up-to-date. Ask about weekends, on- and off- campus activities, and longer trips. There will be stretches in the school year where students are on campus for five to eight weekends in a row.
This is where location may come into play again in determining compatibility. For most students, especially those traveling abroad for cultural immersion opportunities, weekend activities can make all the difference. Many, if not most traditional boarding schools are located in rural towns and small suburban neighborhoods. If you like city life, ask if you will travel regularly to nearby big cities.
Look at where the most recent group of graduates are attending university. Of course a school with graduating seniors will have more students enrolling in Ivy League schools than a school with 80 graduating seniors. Families should focus on the percentage of students who were admitted to one, or all of their top three choices.
For students whose native language isn't English, it is imperative that you understand the composition of the student body. Request more information about the percentage of international students living in the dormitories and, most importantly, how many students come from your country or speak your native language.
Many students attend boarding schools in the United States for cultural and language immersion opportunities, both of which can be hampered if you live in a dormitory where ten of your best friends come from home. Aside from losing the opportunity to branch out and make valuable connections with other students, many international students will find that their TOEFL scores will not rise as quickly as they should when they speak their first language in the dorms and between classes.
A boarding school's student body should have between 10 and 15 percent international students. Going to boarding school will probably increase your chances of going to a good school provided that you take advantage of the opportunities, but you might lower your chances at the top school of your choice. The diversity and even playing field: Even if the numbers reflect diversity, the student body tends to be governed — both officially and unofficially — by the white, male and wealthy. Sadly, money talks no matter where you are and many schools operate on a philosophy that hierarchies preserve order, turning a blind eye to bullying and harassment so long as it does not become a liability.
Behavioral correction: It may seem like boarding school could provide a good environment for breaking bad habits. But many students take risks with substances and other rule breaking in boarding school. In fact, most schools have an underground culture where students know who to buy from and which teachers will look away.
Many schools have a one-strike policy in which you might get kicked out immediately with no chance of a refund. Your relative went there and loved it: When the environment is as small as most boarding schools, things can change drastically year by year based on what admissions are looking for in a student, what the school is investing in and who is teaching there.
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