The big difference between boarding school and day school is that the former prepares you for university life. The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) reported that boarding school students feel more prepared for higher education and are more likely to earn an advanced degree as well as achieve faster career progress. This is largely due to the college-like environment that fosters a sense of community and togetherness among students here.
The learning environment is also different in a boarding school. Here, you are spoiled for choice with various extracurricular activities to develop skills outside the classroom. From sports to science clubs to leadership groups, your participation will only prepare you for the future.
If you are for boarding school education and want to instil it in your children, these three global ones are great starting points.
St. Michaels University School (SMUS) in Victoria, British Columbia offers more than 120 courses and 65 clubs and councils at its Senior School. Source: St. Michaels University School
St. Michaels University School
St. Michaels University School is widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading independent schools. Its reputation — both local and international – is built on academic excellence, personal growth, and international opportunities. These foundations have empowered scores of students to attend the top universities across Canada, the US, and beyond.
Here, over 1,000 students from all over the world get an outstanding preparation for life. This is heavily reflected in its Advanced Placement (AP) programme, which gives students the challenge of taking university-level courses in one of Canada’s largest and longest-running Advanced Placement programmes. This complements the school’s broad and innovative academic programme — with a full range of courses in English, social studies, mathematics, science, French and modern languages, physical education, and the arts – and other specialised opportunities in engineering, robotics, and design.
What happens outside SMUS classrooms is just as impressive. A wide range of co-curricular options, service initiatives and outdoor education experiences ensure students not only learn but evolve. They become leaders, athletes, artists and changemakers. No matter who they are or where they’re from, every student is supported and cared for to reach their full potential.
This is a school that welcomes and includes everyone to its beautiful and safe West Coast campus. As many as 30 countries are represented in the campus community, each bringing their rich heritage and views to enrich peers and faculty. Step beyond campus and students reap even more benefits from their unique location. Here, a vibrant urban centre meets the awe-inspiring natural surroundings of the West Coast. Students have measured tides, learned about old growth rain forests, explored local biomes, and embarked on multi-day hiking adventures throughout southern Vancouver Island, among many outdoor and experiential learning opportunities offered here. Apply to St. Michaels University School now.
Stamford School has been in operation for nearly 500 years. Source: Stamford School/Facebook
Stamford School
Stamford School prepares you for a life beyond just education. It instils teamwork, passion, and spirit that will shape you into a rounded and grounded person, ready to face the world and lead a happy and fulfilling life in the 21st century. Operating for nearly 500 years, the school’s academic approach focuses on thinking and communicating creatively, as well as collaborating with others to solve complex problems at an early age.
The school offers a stimulating curriculum that encourages curiosity and a love of learning. Core subjects that all seniors are required to take include English, Mathematics, Science, and at least one Modern Foreign Language of either French, Spanish, German, or Russian. Other choice subjects are for you to find your interests and career aspirations as you choose to specialise in subjects from either Humanities, Arts and Technologies, or Languages. Your choice here will determine where you proceed at a university level, giving you an early exposure to what to expect in your next academic stage.
Voted as one of the best places to live in Britain, Stamford’s location offers excellent amenities, including a range of high-street and independent retailers, a selection of eateries, and a variety of leisure facilities, all practically linked by public transport. The town also offers a range of local sporting opportunities with fun activities organised by various clubs you can join on weekends or during downtime.
At Choate Rosemary Hall, students and faculty constantly embrace the idea of “what’s next”. Source: Choate Rosemary Hall
Choate Rosemary Hall
Located in the scenic town of Wallingford, Connecticut, Choate Rosemary Hall is a co-educational boarding and day school for students grades nine to postgraduate.
Students are prepared to take on college and life with the school’s support, programmes and expertise. Academic exploration is encouraged here, with diverse perspectives, cultures, and student experiences valued. Choate is just the right size, with an authentic community and unparalleled facilities to make this possible.
In short, Choate is a school where students are undefinable. With a vast array of opportunities, studies and activities, combined with support and guidance from campus adults, there is no need for students to be constrained by one thing — be it sport, passion, or identity.
Signature Programmes let students build upon their interests and talents further. From Advanced Robotics to Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES), each option is completely immersive. There is also the Capstone Programme, where students use their creativity and curiosity to chart a concentrated course of study that culminates in a final project during the spring term of the sixth form year. Past concentrations have included China-US Relations, The Art of Dissent, and Preventable Exploitation in the Developing World.
Choate is an intellectually inquisitive community where students can widen their worlds and explore many different passions. They have the full support of faculty members ready to guide them in stretching their discoveries and passion in any area.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
