Boarding school facts for kids

A boarding school is a special type of school where students live and sleep there during the school year. They don't just go for classes and then go home. Some boarding schools also have "day students" who attend classes but go home at the end of the day. These day students usually pay less money because they don't use the boarding facilities. A student who lives at a boarding school is called a "boarder".

In the United Kingdom, about 1% of all children go to boarding schools. Most boarding schools are private, which means families pay for both the education and the living arrangements. In Ghana, many secondary schools are boarding schools.

What is a Boarding School Like?

Boarding schools are like a school and a home all in one! Students live in dorms or houses with other students and are looked after by staff members. They have meals together, study together, and often do many activities after classes. This can help students become more independent and learn to live with others.

Different Kinds of Boarding Schools

There are many different types of boarding schools, each with its own focus:

• Private Boarding Schools: These are the most common type. They charge fees for tuition and boarding. Famous examples include Eton College, Rugby School, and Harrow School in the United Kingdom. In the United States, Phillips Exeter Academy is well-known, and Cornway College is famous in Zimbabwe.
• Therapeutic Boarding Schools: These schools offer special support for students who might be dealing with emotional or psychological challenges. They combine education with therapy.
• Special Needs Schools: Some boarding schools are designed to help children with special needs. They provide tailored education and support to meet each student's unique requirements.
• Democratic Schools: Schools like Summerhill School let students have a big say in how the school is run. They vote on rules and decisions, which helps them learn about responsibility and democracy.
• International Schools: Places like the United World Colleges bring together students from many different countries. This helps students learn about different cultures and become global citizens.
• Military Schools: These schools focus on discipline and leadership. They can be a good path for students interested in joining the military later on. Gordonstoun in Scotland is an example that takes both day and boarding students.

Boarding Schools in Books and Movies

Boarding schools are often used as exciting settings in popular stories. Many famous novels feature characters who live and learn at these schools.

• The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling is perhaps the most famous, set at the magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett tells the story of a girl at a boarding school.
• The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger also features a boarding school setting.
• Enid Blyton wrote several popular series about boarding school life, including Malory Towers, St. Clare's, and The Naughtiest Girl.
• Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens shows a different side of boarding school life from a long time ago.

Images for kids

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  The Makó boarding school in Hungary

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  West Finland College, a boarding school in Huittinen, Finland

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  Boarding house of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, New South Wales

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  Dormitory at The Armidale School, Australia, 1898

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  Schloss Torgelow, a renowned Gymnasium boarding school in Germany

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  Traveling boarding schools, like THINK Global School, partner with an IB school in each country they visit.

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  Students at Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Pennsylvania (c. 1900)

See also

In Spanish: Internado para niños