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Common myths about a boarding school

Parents having conversation with principal in school

Boarding schools give students a chance to explore various fields of study and try different sports and club activities apart from developing their persona. The myths associated with a boarding school can come in the way and stop you from choosing the best for your child. The aim of the article is to highlight some common perceptions about life in a hostel, and some of the most popular myths about going to study away from home. 

Some common myths are:

1. Boarding schools are extremely strict –

Boarding schools offer freedom along with a set of rules and regulations that the student must follow. Rules are important to provide a well-balanced environment, and to develop a sense of discipline in the child. This does not categorize a boarding school as being strict but as a place where a child can understand the importance of a disciplined routine, and self-management. Teachers at boarding schools may act as a parental figures, often providing high-quality pastoral care, with their undivided attention to each individual student. Students are also encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and have fun with their friends.

2. Only undisciplined children attend boarding school –

A boarding school may provide a more structured, and schedule-based environment but it does not mean that only undisciplined children attend a boarding school. Joining a boarding school is a decision that is made by both parents and children. Attending a boarding school is not a form of punishment but instead, a choice of schooling that exposes the child to others and social behaviors and expectations at a much earlier stage in life, than say attending college in another city. A residential school experience is recommended for those who would benefit from exposure to people from different parts of the country, and perspectives. It develops a student’s overall personality and interpersonal skills.

3. Boarding schools are too expensive –

Students stay in the boarding school causes an add-on to the fees that the boarding schools charge. Still, it is within the financial reach of the parents as most of the boarding schools provide financial aid and scholarships. If you have a look into a CBSE boarding school, you’ll see that the students come from various socioeconomic statuses. It does not sound unrealistic to get your child into a boarding school. 

4. It is only about academics –

Most people confuse a boarding school with a place where students can only excel academically. This is a commonly misunderstood perception. The reality is that boarding schools offer various extracurricular activities which include excursions, trips to local sites, education trips, and community development projects creating wider opportunities for a student to learn more about the world, and their own innate talents. While a day school certainly allows kids to be exposed to the same set of activities, it’s through independence and self-reliance that a child learns to identify what their likes and dislikes are and establish a much stronger self. A child can develop a career out of his/her field of interest, which can be honed at schools that offer such activities, such as DPS Warangal.

Boarding schools have the best faculty of teachers and trainers that help students to excel in their chosen field of interest. The competition is stronger than in traditional schools as children from diverse cultures and backgrounds compete with each other. Here, it’s important to take into account the affiliation of the school –whether it’s CBSE or other boards–since each affiliation has a different syllabus to follow, based on which the academic guidelines change.

5. Lack of supervision can spoil a child –

As students at boarding schools live away from their parents, there will be things that the children will have to learn by themselves. From managing their monthly spending and pocket money, taking care of their diet, to managing their time and studies is first dependent on a child’s inclination to take ownership. This does not spoil them as teachers are always there to supervise them and maintain discipline. This does however make them more responsible and independent and prepares them to adapt to life post-school. 

If life at a private boarding school–one of India’s best CBSE institutions–sounds like the quality of education you want to provide for your child, reach out to us to schedule a tour of the campus.