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What Should I Be Looking For While Visiting A Potential Boarding School?

What Should I be Looking for While Visiting a Potential Boarding School?

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Most boarding schools are more than willing to help their guests and potential students with their search. If you have an interest in a quality boarding school for your son, take a trip to Grand River Academy and discover what we can do for your son. At GRA, we provide the support and educational resources young men need to success both in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re looking to pave the path to college and career success or to provide your son with a little more attention to succeed in the classroom, contact GRA and schedule a visit today!

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What Should I Be Looking For

While Visiting A Potential

Boarding School?

INTRODUCTION It goes without saying that you need to visit any

school to which you are thinking of sending your

child.

You and your child need to set foot on each campus

on your short list, scope each one out and use your

own judgment about whether your child will be

happy there.

Here is a list of things to look for and questions to

ask when visiting your list of potential schools.

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Things to Look For

and Check Out

The first thing to look for would be –

“Do the faculty, staff, and students look happy

in their environment?”

When on campus, spend time just observing. You

will want and need to be talking to students and

admissions staff, but do take time to just "hang

out." Watch students change classes, observe an

activity such as a gym class or sporting event,

casually walk around campus.

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THE PEOPLE

QUALITY OF SUPERVISION Codes of Conduct and 24/7 Supervision within the school

grounds may strike your child as excessive.

Have a discussion with him to ensure sure he understands

the rules and boundaries. If he breaks those rules,

depending on the seriousness of the infraction, he risks

being asked to withdraw from school.

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DORM ROOMS Given that your child will spend several hours a day

studying in their dorm room, be sure to review what

can and cannot be brought into the room.

The school will have lists of things they will not

allow - hot plates, microwaves, mini fridges, etc. –

but make certain to ask for regulations on

questionable items.

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MEALS Allergies? Gluten-free? Lactose intolerant? Vegan?

Other dietary restrictions/requirements?

All need to be discussed and clearly understood to

ensure the safety of your child.

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Questions to Ask

DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC ACADEMIC COURSES? Hopefully, the schools that you are visiting earned a place

on your short list because they have most of the things you

looked for in your search. When you visit, ask about the

courses you really want your child to take. Sometimes

these specialized courses will not be taught depending on

staffing and scheduling issues. This question is particularly

relevant if your child already demonstrates above-average

interest and competence in a specific subject.

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Extracurricular activities are not frills or even extras.

They are aspects of school life that emphasize teamwork,

character development and socialization that all

contribute to your child's development. Make sure that

the activities that he knows and loves are a part of a

school's program.

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DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES?

Many boarding schools are non-denominational, but

some others may focus on a particular faith. If your family

is not particularly religious and you are considering a

religiously affiliated school, make sure you are

comfortable with any mandatory religious services or

courses.

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WHAT ABOUT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES?

WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL EMERGENCIES? Is there trained/qualified staff on duty 24/7? How close is

the nearest hospital? Make sure that you know how

emergencies will be handled if you live far away from the

school.

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To Schedule A Visit:

Visit Us at: grandriver.org

Call Us: 440.275.2811

Sources: http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/articles/87

http://www.thefamilyschool.com/parent-resources/parent-resources/how-do-i-decide-the-best-school-for-my-child/?back=Parent_Resources