The decision to send your child away to boarding school is no easy one – and many parents go through a lot of soul-searching before they’ve finally made up their minds. Do you know how you can make sure you’re picking the perfect school for your kid? Lot of factors play roles when deciding on this importance and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by them. Hundreds of schools exist, each claiming to offer the best education in their specific niche. Most parents and students don’t even know where to begin, so we’ve created a list of 10 criteria that you should consider when choosing the perfect school.
Here are some things you should consider when selecting a boarding school:
1.Academics
The first thing to consider is the school’s academic program. Is it challenging enough? Does it meet your child’s needs and interests? If your child struggles in school, you’ll want to find a boarding school with an excellent reputation for helping students succeed academically. While some schools may have higher or lower standards than others, you should make sure that your child will be able to succeed in the school’s environment. If child has special needs, look for schools that offer support services such as tutoring.
2.Location
The school’s zone is one of the most important criteria when choosing a residential school. You want to find a place where your child can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and skiing during their time off-campus. If this isn’t possible, then consider one of the many schools which offer an after-school program for students who want to participate in sports teams or other extracurricular activities away from campus during their free time.
3.Ease of communication between student and teacher/staff member
How easy is it for students to reach their teachers via email or phone if they have questions or need help with homework? Are there office hours where students can meet with teachers during school hours without an appointment? How responsive are staff members when contacted by students or parents? Are they available outside of regular work hours by phone or email as needed? Can parents contact teachers directly through email or phone if necessary?
4.Student Body
Another important consideration is the student body at the particular boarding school you are considering. Some schools have small enrollments while others have large ones; some are co-ed while others are single-sex; few are religious while others are secular; some focus on academics while others emphasize athletics or performing arts — there are many different types of boarding schools for girls available today! Ensure that the student body at any particular school is suitable for your child’s personality and interests before enrolling them.
5.Costs
Ensure the cost of attendance matches your budget and includes all fees, including tuition; room and board; books; transportation; and personal expenses like clothing and toiletries. Additional costs might include health insurance or international travel expenses if your child attends an overseas boarding school or college program.
6.Size
The size of schools matters because smaller schools have fewer students than larger ones. This means that there is more personal attention given to each student compared to larger schools where there may be thousands of students enrolled at any given time. However, large schools offer much more diversity in classes, sports, and activities than small ones.
7.Values and culture
These are often reflected in its students’ behaviour. If you’re looking for a residential school with high academic standards and an emphasis on community service, then look for one where students show respect for their teachers and peers and faculty members. Those interested in sports will want to find out if their chosen school has any sports teams or clubs or if it offers opportunities for athletes to compete in other schools’ tournaments or competitions.
8.Athletics
Some schools offer athletics programs that include football, basketball, soccer and other sports. Other schools focus more on academics than athletics — so make sure that you find out what kind of athletic program your child will participate in at each school you’re considering. Some schools may also offer after-school activities like dance classes or art lessons; so be sure to ask about those programs when touring your prospective schools’ campuses.
9.Safety
You want to make sure that your child will be safe from harm while attending classes; or participating in after-school activities on campus. Since most boarding schools for girls are located in remote areas away from major cities, there may not be many resources nearby in case of an emergency or medical emergency. If there are no lights or sidewalks around campus, that could put your student at risk of being robbed or assaulted. Ensure the school has reasonable security measures like cameras and gates to keep out intruders.
10.Teachers and staff
It’s essential that you feel comfortable with the faculty and staff at the school; especially if your child will be living with them for several years at a time! Ask about teacher turnover rates and how long teachers have been at the school; this will give you an idea of how stable the faculty is and whether they plan to stay there long-term. You should also ask about teacher training programs –schools offer mentorship opportunities for students who want to become teachers themselves!
Also Read : Boarding Schools in India
