How Much Do Boarding Schools Cost?
Modern boarding schools are located in every state of the Union, and they provide elementary and secondary education to children who live and eat on campus. Often considered superior by academic standards to public institutions, boarding schools often retain instructors with advanced degrees in their fields. Because most boarding schools receive no federal or state funding, tuition and room and board are costly, although some schools are cheaper than others.
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History
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The earliest boarding schools appeared in Europe during the Middle Ages and were attended by students who would later become clerics. Children, often as young as six, would leave home and travel by coach to live and study in these religious institutions, often not returning to their homes until they received their theological degrees in their late teens. During the 18th Century, secular boarding schools opened, catering to the children of the wealthy. The majority of boarding schools until the 20th were for boys only.
Function
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Boarding school takes the place of a home and a family for the student. Not only does a child attend classes during the week, he will live in an appointed room in school housing and the school will hire personnel that act as dorm mothers to assist with personal issues. Children in boarding schools must often complete chores and abide by mandatory study times, and some may be required to attend school on Saturday if their weekly grades did not meet an acceptable standard.
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Features
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Most boarding schools offer all the amenities of home and more. In addition to family-type dining halls and private bedrooms that a student may decorate, children take part in extracurricular activities, such as martial arts, horsemanship, rowing and even drama club. Separated by age, younger children usually stay together with one or more dorm mothers who help them with their homework. Children are allowed supervised recreation time, and many receive a weekly allowance.
Effects
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Due to the high cost of tuition and housing for a student, most boarding schools are limited to the children of wealthy parents. However, if a parent works for an international company and travels out of the United States regularly, his employer may cover the cost of boarding school tuition. In addition, there are scholarships available to children who qualify to help offset the expenses of boarding school. (See Resources)
Potential
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Statistically, children who spend one or more years at a boarding school will score higher on scholastic achievement tests and enter colleges that are more prestigious. The reputation of the boarding school directly relates to the success of its students and most schools require high school seniors to apply to a number of colleges. In addition, many colleges eagerly accept applications from students who attend boarding schools.
Significance
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The high cost of boarding school is a significant financial hurdle to most parents, but there are low-interest educational loans that will allow the parents to enroll their child in a boarding school now and make payments for the next few years. Some parents feel this is a good investment in their child.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Boarding school students often score well on exams.
