To Board Or Not To Board

Writen by Lori Olson White

One of the toughest decisions most expat families face is whether or not to take advantage of the boarding school option.

Let's face it, boarding schools are not part of the average American experience the way they are in many European countries. For many folks, even the idea of sending a child to boarding school smacks of pretentiousness if not parental neglect. And that doesn't even get into the family dynamics involved when children and parents are separated during the school years.

But as an expat, there are some pretty powerful reasons to consider the boarding school option.

Lack of appropriate schooling where you are. The fact is, sometimes there isn't a school available that meets the educational goals you and your child have established. Maybe the local school only teaches in a language your child doesn't speak, or maybe if flat out doesn't offer the programs your child is interested in. Maybe the school is too big - or too small - to be a good fit. And maybe it is as simple as you and your child just not being comfortable with what's available.

Consistency. Changing schools every few years can be tough on kids, no matter how old they are or how well they seem to adjust. And the older your child gets, the tougher changing schools becomes. There are friends and social activities to consider, and academic issues like how well the curriculum from one school meshes with the next, and even whether or not previous coursework transfers.

Safety. As much as we'd like to think otherwise, life overseas can get a little dicey sometimes. For many expat families, boarding school offer a level of safety and security that can't be found locally. For teenagers especially, the boarding school environment can be a safe, directed place to explore within set guidelines and regulations.

Medical care. Depending on where an expat family lives, having ready access to physical and mental health care can be a deciding factor in making the decision to board or school locally.

Special talents. Gifted students need to be challenged, and sometimes local schools frankly aren't challenging enough to meet those needs. In step boarding schools. These days there are boarding schools that specialize in just about anything you can imagine - from specific sports to arts, physics and even languages. Providing an environment that challenges and channels passion is a great reason to board.

Special support. On the other side of the coin are kids that maybe struggle academically or socially, and boarding can be a good option for them, as well., providing the extra time and resources necessary for academic and social success.

The decision to send a child to boarding school rather than a local institution is one of the most important - and difficult - decisions most expat families face. Knowing what's important as well as what's available makes the decision that much easier.

Lori Olson White is an author, teacher, parent and expat living and working in Saudi Arabia. Her blog The Kingdom of Expat Wives seeks to inform, educate and support expat women living overseas while Sand Gets in My Eyes offers a more personal look at life in Saudi Arabia.