Day and Boarding Schools

School Solutions ~ Educational Consulting for School Placement

Private Day and Boarding Schools

Families choose private, or independent, day and boarding schools for many reasons. Perhaps, they attended these schools or their public school does not have programs that meet the needs or interests of their child. My family has a tradition of attending private day and traditional boarding schools, and I can share my experiences and insights with you.

The Houston Area Independent Schools Association is a large group of schools which provides information about their member schools. The HAIS hosts an annual Private School Preview so parents and students may meet the admissions staff and administators and pick up materials on schools. The HAIS website provides facts about member school and links to their websites. Many traditional boarding schools are also represented at the Private School Preview. This year's preview is September 12th at the J.W. Marriott Hotel by the Galleria.

The Association of Boarding Schools is one of the best resources for parents who are considering traditional boarding school education for their child. Boarding schools can provide students with a rich sense of community and belonging to an institution with long traditions where good character and behavior is the norm. Some boarding schools offer a junior program for students as young as sixth grade; others offer a post-graduate year. Today's boarding schools have a highly diverse student body. Athletic programs may include hiking and climbing, riding, sailing, or skiing, in additional to team sports such as ice hockey and lacrosse. Students can find extensive visual and performing arts programs and superior athletic facilities at most schools. A majority of boarding schools provide well-staffed learning support centers to help each student be successful in the classroom plus experienced guidance counselors to help with the college admission process.

I have visited over one hundred Greater Houston area private day schools at least once; many of them three or more times. I have visited boarding school campuses in Connecticut, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon and Texas. I have also met with numerous admission directors and representatives from schools all over the nation at conferences in Boston, Baltimore, Houston and Charlotte, N.C. My IECA membership provides a large network of experienced consultants with whom I share information about schools in order to get the right fit for my clients.