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<p>From what I gather, boarding schools - at least those that primarily composed of boarding students - generally do NOT want high levels of parental involvement. The governing concept is that of in loco parentis, which loosely translates from Latin to “in place of the parent.” In contrast to public or even private day schools, a BS will generally have a much lower student to staff ration and the student will be supervised much more closer, even in their personal life. When parents become highly involved, it actually interferes with the school’s overall mission of indoctrination, possibly sending mixed messages to the students (parents insists one thing, the school another). Similarly, increasing the % of day students at a school typically detracts from overall cohesiveness of the student body and increases the chances of unsupervised off-campus “frolics” for the boarding kids.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to be mean here, but I will be blunt. The idea that parents would willingly pick up their own lives to move hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles to accompany junior to high school is a warning signal of helicopter parenting (as is the use of “we” rather than “he” in discussing the application process). I understand the desire to be an involved parent with a close relationship with your son, but if you are going to apply to schools that are primarily boarding, then let the school perform its function. Otherwise, it makes much more sense to look for a good day school in your area.</p>