<p>We moved our kids numerous times, and changed schools probably too many times. However, many of their friends are still their friends… how did that work out? Well, there’s email, cell phones, weekends, and so on. My daughter is still fairly close with her BFF from first grade (and they both graduated from college last June). Changing schools will not end a friendship. Once you’re in high school, moving doesn’t end it either. Reassure your son that in a different school, he can still be a supportive friend–perhaps even a better friend, since he will be able to help his friend find a different circle of friends, some of whom might also be his friends.</p>
<p>One of the reasons we chose boarding school for my son in tenth grade was that the local public schools weren’t meeting his needs, the local private schools wouldn’t take him (lousy grades, poor work ethic, never mind that he was bored witless). It was the best decision we ever made. He ended up as the top student in a second-tier boarding school (and graduated from MIT last June).</p>