Aren’t we all? 
Boarding schools understand very well that young teens are unfinished works and do not expect them to be or act like mature adults. What they are looking for, instead, is independence, curiosity, kindness, and the ability to contribute in various ways to their unique communities while successfully handling a rigorous academic load. Every student admitted to boarding school is an imperfect work in progress, but each has demonstrated in some way that s/he can:
- Adjust to being away from home
- Handle the level of academics at that school
- Self-advocate when necessary
- Rise above failures
- Be a shiny thread in the fabric of that community (where each BS community fabric is different, so finding fit is important)
If you feel your child can demonstrate these things, then proceed to @CarnegieDad’s list above.