There are numerous advantages to enrolling your child in the best boarding school over a conventional school. Because children attending boarding schools get a different atmosphere to grow up in compared to children attending conventional or traditional schools. Although every boarding school isn’t the same, so choosing the right option for your child is extremely important. That’s mandatory for a child’s development to select a school that can support their learning abilities.
One of the most significant decisions you need to make as responsible parents for your child is selecting a top boarding school for their admission. From choosing the right program to the amount of tuition and other fees required to pay – all of these are important considerations when selecting a boarding school for kids. So, keep on reading with us to understand what you should consider as parents while selecting one of the top-ranked international boarding schools in India.
Let’s begin the discussion with –
What Is A Boarding School?
India has a long and illustrious history of boarding schools. For centuries, the country has been the center of education. The Guru (teacher) and shishyas (students) used to live in the same house in ancient India’s Gurukul system of education, which is the oldest system and dates back about 10,000 years. At that time, anyone who wanted to learn went to the home of a Guru and asked to be taught. The ancient Hindu schools of this type were residential in nature.
The British rulers brought modern education to India. Gradually, the country has witnessed the growth of an effective educational network with a western curriculum. The teaching methods of today have fundamentally changed, and very few boarding schools incorporate a religious setting. And so, children get more opportunities to learn, live, and socialize in a disciplined boarding school environment. CICSE and CBSE are the most accepted ones at the best boarding school in India.
However, the definition of boarding schools differs from society to society. For generations, it is quite a common practice in some societies to send their children to boarding schools for a better future.
What Are The Different Types of Boarding Schools?
The following are different types of boarding schools in India –
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Boarding School For Boys
This type of boarding school is mostly attended by male students. Because these schools are commonly situated in rural areas with a more militaristic environment, unlike other schools for girls with options for extra-curriculum activities to participate in. Here boys will get ample opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities.
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Boarding School for Girls
This kind of best boarding school will only permit girls and no male students are allowed to seek enrollment. Girl’s boarding schools are majorly situated in rural areas to provide students with a college-prep curriculum, which emphasizes arts, sports, and nature exploration. Unlike boys boarding schools, a girl’s school is comparatively expensive, so parents need to conduct extensive research ahead of enrolling their kids.
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Religious Boarding School
This kind of boarding school gets a religious affiliation and is committed to teaching students mostly about religion.
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Military School
In this type of military school, the discipline, structure, and atmosphere for students are similar to that of a military camp.
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Day Boarding
Day school is a recent trend in India. Modern boarding facilities are available at some schools, including extended day school until 6:30 p.m. In addition, some schools offer facilities for 5 days of boarding, so that the child can spend the weekend with their parents. For working parents, a day boarding is a wonderful respite.
What Are The Factors To Consider While Selecting The Best Boarding School?
Before enrolling your child in any type of educational program at a boarding school, there are numerous considerations to make, including academic strengths (course offerings), tuition fees, housing facilities, available extracurricular activities, offered sports programs or activities, and others.
The following are major considerable points when choosing one of the best international residential schools in India –
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Academics
A boarding school’s academic program is a major consideration. In case your child is weak in academics, you should look for a boarding school that has a good track record of helping students succeed academically. You further need to ensure that your child will be able to succeed in the environment of the school, despite the fact that some schools may have higher or lower standards than others. Also, look for schools that offer support services, like tutoring, if your child has special needs.
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Teaching Faculties
It’s essential to enjoy comfort with the teaching faculty at the school because your child needs to spend several years living with them. Therefore, you need to search for how often teachers leave the school and how long they have been there. All of these features will enable you to know how stable the faculty is and whether or not they intend to remain there for the long term. You should also inquire about teachers’ educational qualifications as many schools provide mentorship opportunities for students who want to become future teachers.
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Location
When finding the best CBSE co-ed boarding schools in India, one of the most important considerations is the school’s location. During their time off campus, you might want to choose a region where your child will get options to engage in outdoor activities, like hiking, skiing, and camping. If this isn’t possible, you might want to get your child admitted to a school offering after-school programs for students who are interested in sports teams or other extracurricular activities outside of the school.
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Ease of Communication
You need to search for a school, in which students are allowed to easily communicate with their teachers via email or phone call. Also, there should be office hours to enable students to meet their teachers in person and clear all of their doubts about anything confusing. It’s even crucial for parents to stay connected with teachers for better knowledge of their kid’s whereabouts. For parents, it’s significant to reach teachers whenever required even outside of regular working hours and straightway contact them for their kid’s details.
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Student Body
The student body of the best boarding school you are considering is another important factor. There are some schools, which have few students enrolled, while others have many. Some boarding schools are co-ed, while others are only for boys. Some boarding schools are secular while others are religious focused. Also, there are numerous types of boarding schools for girls available today, some of which emphasize academics while others emphasize athletics or the performing arts. Before enrolling your child, check to see if the school’s student body matches their personality and interests.
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Size
Because smaller schools have fewer students than larger ones, school size is important. This denotes that each student receives more individual attention than in larger schools, which may have thousands of students enrolled at any given time. However, classes, sports, and activities at large schools are significantly more diverse than at smaller boarding schools.
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Fees Structure
Check that the total cost of attendance matches your budget and includes tuition, food and lodging, books, transportation, and individual expenditures (like toiletries and clothing). If your child attends an overseas boarding school or college program, additional expenses may include health insurance and international travel costs. It’s important to know the details fee structure of a school, ahead of seeking admission.
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Athletics
A few schools have athletics programs that cover a variety of sports, like football, basketball, and soccer. You must ensure to understand what kind of athletic program your child will participate in at each school you’re considering as some schools emphasize academics more than athletics. After-school activities (like dance or art classes) may also be offered by some schools. Therefore, when you visit the campuses of your potential schools, make sure to inquire about those programs to seek your child’s enrollment.
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Safety
You want to make sure that your child won’t be hurt while they go to school, or participate in campus activities after school. There may not be many resources nearby in the event of an emergency or medical emergency because the majority of boarding schools are situated in remote areas away from major cities. Your student may be at risk of robbery or assault if there are no sidewalks or lights on campus. Make certain that the school has adequate security measures in place, such as gates and cameras, to deter intruders.
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Values and Culture
These are frequently reflected in the behavior of its students. If you’re looking for a residential school with high academic expectations and a focus on community service, look for one where students treat faculty members, peers, and teachers with respect. People who are interested in sports will want to find out if the school they want to attend has any sports teams or clubs or if it gives athletes the chance to compete in tournaments or competitions hosted by other schools.
Think about your child’s personality, school environment, emotional needs, teacher training, curriculum quality, and overall facilities before making any decisions. Always keep in mind that your child will definitely benefit from selecting the best boarding school in India in the future. You are the only person who can truly comprehend your child, so make sure to be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of seeking enrollment in a boarding school. Your child may not benefit from attending a boarding school that isn’t suitable for their growth.
Understanding your child is the first step toward the best school hunt. Numerous schools offer a variety of pedagogies, affiliations, curriculums, and other options for kids. Nowadays, a lot of kids are more interested in sports and extracurricular activities than academics. And if your child is among them, you need to choose the right school and it will be simple once you know what your child needs.
