Would boarding school be a good option?

Question

I am not a bad child, it is the opposite way around, my parents have have no skills in raising a child, and it's becoming damaging to my psyche. Their neglect has caused so much trouble on my behalf, with social services and having case workers trying to get me into foster homes and what not. It's just too stressful, and seeing as I'm starting high school I don't think I can be around this dysfunctional behavior any longer, so I'm considering boarding school.

I've been begging my parents to let me go to boarding school for years, but their neglect is out of hand, and I cannot take it any longer. Especially with something as important as high school right around the corner. Would boarding school be a good option for someone like me?

Answer 1

Can your family afford this option is the first question. It's a very expensive option--$30,000-40,000 plus per year. Financial aid is possible for very top students, but not for everyone.

Answer 2

Just out of curiosity have you considered going to talk to a therapist about the problems you have at home? That could help your psyche a bit, and if they're still neglecting you, maybe you should call childrens services on them? You don't deserve to suffer for your parents idiocy, but I wouldn't go looking for boarding schools quite yet.

Answer 3

It sounds like home is horrible for you. Boarding school is a great experience and a comforting, calm environment. It definitely beats a foster home. However, I don't know of any good boarding schools anywhere that are year-round. So unless you find a relative or family friend to stay with during Christmas, Spring Break, and Summer vacations, you will have to go back home during these times (which all together is around 3 months). The administrations at boarding schools are protective of the safe and friendly environments at their school. If they feel that you are a threat to that balance because of very troubling family matters, they may reject your application. Ultimately, however, you know yourself better than anyone else. So you will have to decide whether or not the damage that your parents have done to you could somehow also damage your peers at school. But usually, boarding schools are extremely understanding about family matters and have a great deal of experience. You will not be the first student at their school that has less than acceptable parents. With that said, I think boarding school is a great place to get away from all of the troubles at home. Do not view it as an "escape" or a "refuge", but as your home. This will definitely help the transition.

You've said you can afford the $30,000-$45,000/year, so this is one less thing to worry about. You have very good grades, as you well know. Not having extra curricular activities will not hurt you in the acceptance process as long as you make sure the acceptance committee knows that you are highly interesting in being involved with several at their school. At boarding schools there are clubs, groups, sports teams, etc. of all kinds. So whatever your interests are, these will satisfy them. Boarding school is a place where you develop close, lifelong friendships. It is an amazing experience, just as it was for me and many, many others.

Since you have great grades, I would recommend looking at a boarding school that is more well-known for academics. If doing well in school comes naturally to you then perhaps you should even consider the best in the country. See list of the Ten Schools Admission Organization here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Schools...

These are collectively the academic elite in the country. If you're more  interested in a less academic setting, than you will find these boarding schools all across the country. But the best for all types of boarding school are almost always located in picturesque New England. I think boarding school will help you get away from the troubles at your home, and help you discover a new home. I hope everything works out great. Best of luck.

If you don't know the website already, Boarding School Review will give you almost all the information you need about every boarding school in the United States. http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/

Answer 4

Some boarding schools are a bit too strict, and you barely have time for yourself so make a careful research of the boarding you wish to go to and make sure you won't have any regrets.

My school even has chaperoned trips to town! Haha