subject: Considering A Boarding School For Boys? [print this page] Even though public education is free here in the U. S., many parents have reasons to send their children elsewhere for an education. Some may not be satisfied with the quality of the local government-run schools, and others may have children with special needs. One option is to find a school that's away from home, and to send the children there to live. Throughout history, this option has been particularly popular for boys. There's a lot of information on the web about choosing a boarding school for boys.
Parents can make a choice depending upon the needs of their child. Those who would just like something better than the local public option can opt for a "prep school", which will generally teach grades 9 through 12. The main difference between them and your local public option is that the courses are specifically geared toward preparing the boys for college. (You'll also find some that teach grades 6 through 9.)
Some of these are military academies, where the students are required to wear military uniforms and learn military discipline. They may also run JROTC programs, which require the students to take leadership courses, and to participate in ceremonies and drills. Other academies are more oriented toward a civilian life, and some of them may be affiliated with a church. You'll find that many of these institutions have been around for a surprisingly long time. (At least one dates back to the late 18th century.)
Either way, their advertising brochures talk about their accreditation, their focus on academic superiority, and their small class sizes. (There may even mention about the number of their graduates who go on to do well in college.) Also, they claim to teach creativity, critical thinking skills, and about how to learn.
They'll also tell you about their athletic and social activities, and about how they can mold a student's character into that of a productive and well-adjusted adult. Many of these are located in either small towns or out in the countryside. Usually, the faculty live on premises with the students.
Other academies offer help for children with either emotional or behavioral difficulties. They can help out with a wide variety of issues, such as anger management, ADHD, depression, or substance abuse. You'll likely find these located either in a mountain wilderness, or on a Western desert ranch. Either way, a regimen of vigorous outdoor activities is an important component of the therapy. Counselling for parents may be offered, as well.
So, you might be wondering, how is it advantageous to send children to single-sex schools?
Many people believe that kids learn more effectively when they don't encounter pressure to interact with those of the opposite sex. Studies show that students at single-sex academies have higher levels of academic achievement. Some experts say that because boys learn differently from girls, teaching methods should be tailored for each sex.
If you think you'd like to consider one of these alternatives, you'll want to note that they are quite expensive. But, financial aid is offered at some academies.
A search of the web can help you decide on a boarding school for boys.
