For most of our new boarding school clients, they come into the office wanting to explore such an option, but are not sure of the experience they will have. From our standpoint, there is no 'one fit' answer. With a wide selection of schools to choose from, the Garrett Ed. Philosophy promotes finding the best fit for a child and their family. Whether that be an all-girls equestrian school or one that has their own ski team, we want to find a school that accommodates all the needs and wants of a client. Rather than us summarize what we know about boarding schools from our visits and their staff, a few of our boarding school clients share testimonies on their experiences to give you a realistic idea about why this school option can be so rewarding.
Why Boarding School?
|
|
Boarding school provided me opportunities that I could have never had if I had continued in day school. To me, the most important aspect of boarding school is the relationships you are able to form. I was able to form a bond with the dean of students at my school through football, and along with two of my friends, the four of us started a charity providing scholarships for children in third world communities across the world. I was able to travel to the Philippines with our charity in order to meet some of last years scholarship recipients and select the upcoming year's group. This was just one of the impactful sets of relationships that I was able to foster during my time at boarding school. The residential community leads itself to students not only growing close with each other, but also with the faculty since you are constantly interacting with them outside of the classroom. This is just one of the many aspects of boarding school that make it the opportunity of a lifetime, but it was what I found to be the most important. |
One can spend countless hours making a list of pros and cons as to why boarding school is the right choice for you. It is not uncommon to find independence etched at the top of the pros list. I felt my social and intellectual independence was not at the full potential at the school I was attending in my hometown. Boarding school prepared me for college more than any college preparatory school in Charlotte could have. It gave me the independence to live on my own with other students and gave me new responsibilities academically and socially. At home, my parents would supervise my time to assure I was spending it correctly. At boarding school, it became my responsibility to manage my own time. I learned to balance school, sports, and friends in an effective way that guaranteed me to prosper in this environment. It was my responsibility to attend all my classes and contribute to class discussions. After sports, it was my responsibility to organize and complete my schoolwork. During the day, it was my responsibility to visit my teachers for extra help and also find time to socialize with my friends. Boarding school gives you many responsibilities but also the freedom to take advantage of the opportunities and resources that are open to you. It was through these responsibilities that I learned the true meaning and importance of independence that is valuable for growth beyond high school.
-Pomfret School Class of 2017
Boarding School services include:
|
Initial Meeting with Parents and Student
School Identification SSAT Flex Test Administration Application & Essay Support School Outreach and Visit Planning |
Interview Advisement
Application Submission Decision Advice First Year Transition and Support |