This school year, we made the tough choice to enroll our son in boarding school. After checking out three diverse options, we found the perfect fit for him. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we knew it was crucial for his social, academic, and emotional growth. As dedicated parents, we always strive to be our kids’ best advocates and encourage them to lead fulfilling lives.
In the past, I viewed boarding school as a privilege reserved for the wealthy—a place where parents could send their kids away instead of facing challenges. However, as the parent of a 10th grader who spends five days a week over an hour from home, I now realize that boarding school is anything but a getaway; it’s a vital support system.
Our son is one of approximately 35,000 American students currently attending a private school. We sought an educational environment that would provide more robust support than what our local high school could offer, especially since our son has a 504 plan. We knew he would flourish in a community that embraces his academic and social needs, particularly since he’s on the spectrum.
Financially, boarding school isn’t easy for us. We are fortunate to have a substantial financial aid package, or else this wouldn’t be possible. We’ve made sacrifices—tightening our food budget, picking up side jobs, and finding ways to make it work. My partner, Alex, works in a nonprofit, while I’m a hospital chaplain. We’re not wealthy, and we have two other kids to support, but we’re committed to doing whatever it takes for our son’s educational journey.
When I mention our son’s boarding school experience to others, I often get a mix of blank stares and a barrage of questions: “Why boarding school? What was wrong with the local school? Is there good financial aid?” These inquiries can be overwhelming, and I’ve learned to choose my responses wisely.
Thankfully, we have a supportive network of family and friends who appreciate the importance of a quality education. Alex has a background in teaching, and I have a degree in school counseling, so we recognized the academic and emotional support our son needed. The shift to remote learning during COVID opened our eyes to alternative educational paths, and now, our son is thriving—making new friends and establishing a strong academic presence.
We now communicate with our son’s school staff more than ever before. Initially, I worried that sending him away would mean losing touch with his teachers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We receive multiple updates each week about his progress and the latest campus news. We’ve even participated in virtual meet-and-greets for parents. I chat with our son’s roommate’s mom regularly, and there’s a remarkable support system for both kids and parents as we adjust to this new lifestyle.
Ultimately, we believe we made the right choice for our family. While some may have strong opinions about our decision to send our son to boarding school, the academic and social growth he experiences makes it worthwhile. Our weekends are still family time—he has chores to do, a room to keep tidy, and friends to catch up with, all while maintaining a strong bond with us.
We haven’t cast our son aside; we’re not pretending to be wealthier than we are. We worked hard to secure more financial aid, sought scholarships, and connected with other boarding school parents to learn from their experiences. We’re making sacrifices every day for our three kids.
Every child is unique and has different needs, which makes parenting a challenging yet rewarding journey. Sometimes, you won’t know if you’re on the right path until something significant happens—like our son’s transformation since starting boarding school. Just recently, he told us, “This school is where I belong.” And you know what? We agree. No matter the sacrifices, we’re all in.
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Summary
Choosing boarding school for our son has been a transformative experience for our family. Despite financial challenges, we recognized the need for a supportive environment that fosters his growth and emotional well-being. Through this journey, we’ve learned the importance of perseverance and community support in making the right educational choices for our kids.
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