What is Boarding School?

Imagine a private high school where you live on a beautiful residential campus with all of your classmates and teachers, study in small classes under the supervision of great teachers, and spend your afternoons and weekends immersed in exciting sports, extracurriculars, and social activities. That's basically what a boarding school is. They are generally called "college preparatory" schools, and there are a number of features that set boarding schools apart from traditional public and even private schools.

You'll Learn a Lot.
A boarding school education is among the best in the world. The educational experience is second to none:  highly qualified and passionate teachers; a diverse curriculum; small classes which means you'll interact more with your classmates and instructors. And, yes, boarding schools students do spend more time studying than kids in other schools. That's a good thing. No one ever regrets being smart!

You'll Make Lifelong Friends.
Campus life promotes learning—and friendship. There's also the promise of an exceptional campus environment close to a National Forest. Think charming architecture set next to spectacular red rocks. You'll live on campus in residences with your classmates and friends—as well as with your teachers and advisors. You'll build lasting friendships and make great memories. The buzzer beating basketball game, the all-night study sessions. You'll also be busy. Boarding schools offer a rich variety of sports to play, plus plenty of social clubs and student organizations to join. You might go from soccer practice to a French club meeting, or from a tennis meet to a film club gathering. Almost all boarding school students participate in one way or another. But what you do is up to you.

You'll Have Room to Grow.
Boarding schools treat you like a young adult. Maybe the most popular advantage is that boarding schools give you your freedom! But don't get too excited. You might think of it as "controlled freedom," probably a little less freewheeling than you had in mind. But still, that's a lot better than no freedom, right? Remember what we said about living with your peers? You'll also live in the same dorms with your teachers. You'll have an advisor. You'll have a curfew. You'll have responsibilities. But you'll also be treated like a young adult—and expected to behave like one. In other words, boarding schools give you the chance to grow up, develop independence, and prepare for college and life.

You'll Shape Your Future.
Boarding schools prepare you for that important but somewhat vague reality your parents are always going on about—the future. Boarding school graduates go to the best universities, and many of them attend graduate school. They are highly successful in their professional careers, and they tend to give back too.