Choosing the right boarding girl school for your daughter’s education is no easy task. From considering how much she will enjoy and get out of her experience to whether or not you feel like she might be more at home with girls her age, there are a lot of things to think about. With that in mind, here are 5 important things you need to know before making this decision:
- Comparing schools is important, but don’t feel like you have to do it.
If you compare your daughter’s school in her current location with other schools in the area, it might be helpful to know where they stand academically and financially. However, if your daughter is already enrolled, this is entirely up to you. It’s a great idea to go on a visit initially so that you get an idea of the school and its students, but don’t let that pressure you into making a decision about which boarding school she will attend.
- Look at the school’s financial aid options.
Some schools have a lot of scholarship opportunities for boarders, so do some research to see what’s available. If you can’t afford to send your daughter to the boarding school she wants, or if you don’t want her away from home during these formative years, but she still wants to go, you might want to look into whether there is any financial assistance available so that you can afford boarding.
- The social aspect is just as important as academics.
Just because your daughter is going to a boarding school doesn’t mean she can’t get a good education. A boarding school education offers a lot of benefits, and your daughter’s social life will be one of the most important parts. Make sure that you’ve done all you can to find a school that will give her the support she needs in terms of academic and social engagement before she heads off to school.
- Consider the school’s extra-curricular activities.
Not everyone needs to be in a sorority, but it’s important that your daughter does have an club or activity she can take part in. Look for a school that offers a wide variety of activities and clubs so that your daughter can find an extracurricular activity she loves. Your boarder will likely have the opportunity to participate in many different clubs and teams from year to year, so this is definitely something you want to consider when choosing a school.
- You need to make sure that your daughter is taken care of.
The bottom line is that your boarder is going to be away from home and would benefit greatly from having one or two parents who care enough to show up every so often. Don’t think, however, that you need to drop all of your responsibilities along with her, because you won’t be able to. If a school has an on-site host family so that your daughter can be kept safe and taken care of, do your research so you can pick out someone who would be able to provide excellent care.