I am planning to send my daughter to a boarding school like andover or choate or deerfield next year, and i have heard many positives and negatives.
I know these schools have great academic opportunities, but i wanted to know about some of the social challenges. Are people snobby? Is drug use rampent? Does money play a role in friendships?
This information is truly vital and answers are greatly appreciated.
1. Are people snobby?
Possibly, but I’ve heard that boarding schools endorse diversity and friendship. Especially in schools such as Andover… I’ve heard that if you’re heard talking bad about a fellow classmate you will be sent to the headmaster… if you do something worse, you’re expelled.
2. Is drug use rampant?
Just like any other school, drug use is common. This is an experimental stage and just because they are in boarding school does not mean they have no connections to drug dealers. I’ve heard drugs, drinking, and smoking are pretty common in boarding schools (some more than others) but you shouldn’t worry too much about that affecting your child. They do have supervision and teachers who check on them (advisors).
3. Does money play a role in friendships?
Yes, there are cliques based on money and popularity, but honestly what school isn’t?
I think sending your daughter to boarding school is a wonderful idea. I’m a sophomore and I was very close to going to boarding school (unfortunately I just did not have the money for it) and I regret never getting the chance. Andover seems wonderful. I have a few friends there who absolutely love it! (But of course there are those who do not enjoy the boarding school experience). Educationally it’s great, but make sure this is what you want to do. If you send your daughter, this is basically the last moments of her childhood that you get to spend together. (They do get lengthy breaks and such, but she’ll be off in boarding school, then college, then her own life.)
February 6th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Well she could become socially detached from you as a parent also we would need to know the age of said daughter as you could be sending her away from friends at an early age friendship is crucial, and yes she will make new friends but that can take time and also could be very challenging for her as she may not be very social… I would not care too much for drugs as schools like this have strict rules on drugs.
Hope it helped a little
References :
February 6th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
1. Are people snobby?
Possibly, but I’ve heard that boarding schools endorse diversity and friendship. Especially in schools such as Andover… I’ve heard that if you’re heard talking bad about a fellow classmate you will be sent to the headmaster… if you do something worse, you’re expelled.
2. Is drug use rampant?
Just like any other school, drug use is common. This is an experimental stage and just because they are in boarding school does not mean they have no connections to drug dealers. I’ve heard drugs, drinking, and smoking are pretty common in boarding schools (some more than others) but you shouldn’t worry too much about that affecting your child. They do have supervision and teachers who check on them (advisors).
3. Does money play a role in friendships?
Yes, there are cliques based on money and popularity, but honestly what school isn’t?
I think sending your daughter to boarding school is a wonderful idea. I’m a sophomore and I was very close to going to boarding school (unfortunately I just did not have the money for it) and I regret never getting the chance. Andover seems wonderful. I have a few friends there who absolutely love it! (But of course there are those who do not enjoy the boarding school experience). Educationally it’s great, but make sure this is what you want to do. If you send your daughter, this is basically the last moments of her childhood that you get to spend together. (They do get lengthy breaks and such, but she’ll be off in boarding school, then college, then her own life.)
References :
February 6th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
ummmm…you won’t get to see her very often if that means anything to you
References :