The second question I will tackle in my 10-part Prospective Boarding School Parent FAQ blog series is another common question we get in the Admission Office:
"There are good schools in my area. Why does my child need boarding school to get a good education?"
In this day and age, we are all very fortunate to have so many choices when it comes to education. From wonderful public and private schools to charter schools and homeschooling options, students today have so many opportunities. Often, families are happy with their local educational options, but for those who aren't (and for students who are looking for more like I was), boarding school may be something to consider.
My parents made sacrifices to allow me to go away to school and experience a different kind of education, and that is something for which I’ll never be able to properly thank them. We have always been close, but being away at a young age made me appreciate my family even more.
The friendships I made at Darlington are truly magical. I’m sure most people say this about their high school friends, but there’s something different about living in the dorms with your friends at such a young age. You help each other with homework, break-ups, laundry and cleaning up your room. You also make sure your friends are awake in time to sign in to breakfast and know when to hold their Purple Points to watch the season finale of the latest show. Living with people from all over the world teaches you that while there are differences to be celebrated, the world really isn't so big after all. Every single girl, now woman, who I lived in the dorms with at Darlington shares an amazing experience that can never be replaced or forgotten. My friends became part of my family.
As I think about my meaningful relationships that started in boarding school, I cannot forget the faculty. They taught us in the classroom, coached us on the field, and made us laugh (or gave us a tissue when we cried!) during study hall. They were also the ones who made us sign out every time we wanted to leave campus and made us walk around the lake when we didn’t do it correctly! They were always there. They didn’t replace our parents; they were just another set of amazing adults who we lived with, trusted, and were there for us whenever we needed them. They became this wonderful set of extra aunts and uncles. My teachers, coaches and dorm parents also became part of my family.
There are so many benefits and opportunities that come along with a boarding school experience but for me, one of the most meaningful things it did was grow and enrich my support system. I now have people I consider family all over the country and the world. (I also met my husband, Sam ('97), at Darlington, and as of next year, both my children will be here as well, so my Darlington family continues to grow!)
Don't just take my word for it, though. Below, six mothers of current or recently graduated boarding students share why Darlington's boarding program was the best choice for their child:
"In the seventh grade, our son came to us and said, 'I want to go to a school where it’s okay to be smart.' At the time of his comment, he had a 4.0 GPA in advanced classes, was active in sports and academic teams, and enjoyed a healthy social life outside of school. He knew he needed something more. School was easy for him and we noticed that he could get great results with minimal effort. There are many good schools, but what makes Darlington great is the attention to the individual student; the boarding program that offers a nurturing way to guide students to their next level of maturity and independence; and the wide variety of academic, artistic, and athletic programs that create experiences to bring about new perspectives." - Pam Doig of Gainesville, Ga., mother of Ben ('19)
"There are good schools and there are great schools. Darlington is a great school. Because of the boarding program, it provides so much more than just good academics. Darlington has helped our daughter become an advocate for herself, a part of a world-wide community and a learner. Darlington has made her want to learn for learning’s sake, not just for a grade. Being a boarding student has given her the opportunity to be part of a community, to make friends and understand cultures from around the world, and to work cooperatively with others." - Merritt Fields of Cordele, Ga., mother of Aisling ('18)
"There are good schools in my area. Why does my child need boarding school to get a good education? The child is exposed to a much larger, diverse group of kids who want to succeed. Kids in boarding schools are often more interested in trying new things without feeling shy or laughed at. In boarding schools, it’s just not about academics, they are many leadership opportunities available and many students are being groomed to be tomorrow’s leaders." - Sheila Ebri of Brunswick, Ga., mother of Bernadette ('17)
"There are good schools everywhere. Your child doesn’t need a boarding school to get a good education. Your child can and will get a better education as a boarder beyond just the academics because your boarding student becomes independent, fosters closer relationships with staff and faculty, learns to get along with others in a different environment, and becomes much more responsible for and to themselves. Check it out before you rule it out. Make a second or third visit if need be." - Elizabeth Bou of Marietta, Ga., mother of Madelyn ('18)
"If you look at education purely from a scholastic perspective and there are good schools in your area, then you don’t need a boarding school. But if by 'education' you understand the broadening of your child’s horizons in every sense of the word - from the social to the scholastic and everything in between - then a boarding school environment is the place to be." - Paula Bacardi of Nassau, Bahamas, mother of Alex ('18) and Ted ('19)
"It gives them opportunities to make decisions independently, which will prepare them for a college environment." - Danielle Wheeler of Fayetteville, N.C., mother of Griffin ('17) and Smith ('19)
For more information about Darlington School's boarding program, feel free to contact me anytime or you can also request a campus visit by clicking here.
