<p>I’ve heard that over the last few decades there has been an increased interest in day schools over boarding schools. However, that was not our case. Here is a discussion on it with part of an interesting WSJ article <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/334557-boarding-schools-long-term-decline.html?highlight=boarding+schools+decline[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/334557-boarding-schools-long-term-decline.html?highlight=boarding+schools+decline</a> </p>
<p>We have a great public school that makes the Newsweek survey 100-150. We have some independent options within a 25 mile commute. Whenever I visited the public school, all the people there ever wanted to talk about was our state tests and requirements, something independent schools do not need to consider. Also, the class sizes are not conducive to lengthy discussion. While the independent schools nearby are wonderful, the commuting time is discouraging. Friends could be on the other side of the 25 miles commute, thus 50 miles away. Because day schools attract people from a number of towns, you don’t have the community that you have at a boarding school or a public school. </p>
<p>What made boarding so attractive was the community, and the opportunity to be with other students 24/7. It’s nice that so many teachers live on campus at my son’s school, so ties can develop. During high school, the peer group becomes very important, and in many ways more important than family. It’s nice to have a peer group 24/7. It’s also nice not to be faced with a long commute after a day of academics and athletics. </p>
<p>More than academics, it’s a home away from home – a safe giant step towards independence. This is something that the local public school and surrounding independent schools could not provide.</p>