Just like when you are selecting the best school for your child, there are many factors to consider when deciding if boarding school is the way to go and then selecting the best boarding for your child. It’s always best to weigh up the advantages and the disadvantages before making a decision.
At Crawford International, we know a lot about private boarding schools for girls as well as boys because we have one of the best in the country - Crawford International North Coast in KZN. We are very proud of our private boarding facilities and we pride ourselves on the many benefits it can bring your child. It is because of this experience we feel we can advise you on some considerations you need to make, to help you with a boarding school decision.
When considering boarding school, sit together with your child to establish the ‘why’. Why does your child want to go to boarding school? Why do you think boarding school will benefit them? It’s never easy leaving the nest but being in a supported and nurtured environment, boarding school can introduce a child to independence and responsibility, giving them that step up in the world. If opting for boarding school is for the right reasons, it can be an amazing experience.
A boarding school is an effective way to instil core values like teamwork, integrity, respect, diligence and a caring spirit. These are some of the positive aspects. On the other hand, it can cause homesickness and it can be challenging for your child to blend in and adjust to their new environment. But, often these negative feelings are just part of the adjustment phase and in the long run resident students end up studying, living and playing together while building a strong community of life-long friends.
There is a myth that boarding school is an extremely strict and suffocating environment but this is not true! Boarding boys and girls do live a more structured and disciplined life, yes, but the scheduled study times, meal times and activities do help children that thrive on this type of discipline to operate at their optimum. And while there is a lot of discipline there is also a lot of free time for them to be themselves and to have fun.
It is a fact that boarding schools instil intellectual stimulation without distraction. At a boarding school, children are acknowledged and nurtured for their academic ability which drives students to be highly motivated to succeed. Boarding schools also allow for a distraction-free zone, clear of home chores, family interruptions, gaming, sibling rivalry and television. It also gives students access to other facilities such as laboratories and innovation hubs, and also access to extended training like extra coaching and focused extra school lessons. At a boarding school, students feel more engaged and secure in their learning environment.
Children in boarding schools are more independent and often have more confidence to tackle social situations and engage with their peers and older members of society. There are also more leadership roles available at boarding school, so more children have the opportunity to fulfil leadership roles making them stronger, more resilient and steadfast individuals. Confidence ultimately leads to things like good people management, networking, selling and relationship-building – skills that are invaluable in life.
In recent times, experts say that boarding schools have become so popular and are now being seen as one of the best systems to bring up a child academically. If you want your child to be fully immersed in an educational environment, a boarding school has a lot to offer and is well worth investigating.
Crawford International North Coast is your boarding school of choice, in Kwa-Zulu Natal. This boarding school was established in 1998 and embraces the challenge of nurturing individuals’ talents and strengths while developing character, academic excellence, leadership, social responsibility and physical wellness. Learn more.