<p>a) Is “fit” important and, if so, what constitutes a “good” fit versus a “bad” fit? How important is a student’s personality to a school?
Answer: Yes. If your brother is earthy, you might want a more liberal, earthy, artsy boarding school. If your brother is more traditional and sporty, you would want that fit. Of course, there is everything in between!</p>
<p>b) Are there any outward benefits to be had by attending a smaller school versus a larger one? Answer: I am a fan of smaller schools because I like intimate environments and sports where often there are no cuts and less competition. My husband prefers the opposite. In the end, we went with what fit our child</p>
<p>c) In your personal experience, are there any schools that you would suggest outwardly avoiding? Answer:Hmmm…again, I think it depends on the child and what you and they want.</p>
<p>d) What factors chose you to select a boarding school over your local day school. Assuming that the resources of the two were relatively equal, would you still choose to send your child to board? Answer: I went to boarding school and have one away now. Big thing is that they need to WANT to go. Some are ready for the independence, some want more challenges, some are super social and want to live with peers. Our oldest wanted more of a challenge and was ready to spread her wings. Our other has no desire to go to bs and we will not send him. I remember some Unhappy kids in my day who were sent away to our school rather than choosing to be at our school.</p>
<p>e) In your experience, what has been your child’s most positive experience at boarding school? Conversely, what was his or her most negative experience? Answer: For me and my daughter boarding school brought learning to a new level, academically, socially and on every front. I remember the worse part for me was missing out on some things at home with elderly relatives and younger cousins (last days and weeks before someone passed away, fun times with cousins and seeing their growth). For my daughter, she misses having her own room…a lot! </p>
<p>One factor we considered more than most was distance. I was very far from home and never got home other than school breaks while some friends could get home for a weekend or even day. I envied them. My daughter is just over 2 hours away and that has been great.</p>