The Best Kept Secret for High-Achieving Tweens

By Elisabeth Swain

Help your high-achieving tween reach their full potential by enrolling them in a junior boarding school. Junior boarding schools offer unique advantages to students who love being part of energetic and engaged communities, thrive in structured environments and are passionate about pursuing their many interests.

 Does this feel familiar? You drink your morning cup of coffee while catching up with your 11-year-old, who was up late last night putting the finishing touches on his speech for history class. You check in about his schedule and he reminds you that after lacrosse practice he’s only going to have about 15 minutes to eat dinner and get across town to play rehearsal, and it’s going to be a late one.  

 You’re amazed that he’s doing so much, grateful that he’s on top of his schedule...and maybe a little overwhelmed.

 For many parents, having a self-motivated child who thrives on structure and loves being involved in multiple activities is a source of pride and joy--and exhaustion. Juggling schedules, meals, travel and actually finding enough challenging and engaging activities that match your child’s interests can be a tall order.

 Now imagine this:

 Your child wakes up at 7, gets ready and walks down the hall of his dormitory, greeting friends on his way to breakfast. There he piles a plate high with eggs, bacon, and pancakes and goes to eat with his advisor and advisory group before he heads off to class.  His 10:15 class today is his favorite--science. Today the class is going to bring the catapults that they’ve been building in physics out to the football field to launch pumpkins. Then he’ll have math, and after lunch, he’s got Italian and his woodshop elective. 

 Once classes are done he’ll get changed and head to soccer practice, followed by a quick shower, dinner and supervised study hall where he’ll finish up her homework. Then it’s free time until bed.  Maybe he’ll join a pick-up game of basketball or watch a movie in the common room. He’ll text you quickly before cell phones and laptops are turned in for the night and tomorrow he’ll start all over again.

 If this sounds like it would be a dream for your tween, you may want to consider a junior boarding school. 

 Junior boarding schools are, in essence, middle schools that provide a boarding program for students in grades 6-9. Led by educators with a deep understanding of this age group, junior boarding school communities offer unique opportunities to high-achieving students to develop socially, emotionally, and academically while building lifelong friendships and growing as independent thinkers and leaders.

 Many schools offer both full-boarding and five-day boarding options which your child would return home on the weekends. Students can start junior boarding schools any time between 6th and 9th grade. While some choose to transfer to a high school after 8th grade, there are many benefits to staying through 9th grade and taking full advantage of the junior boarding school experience.

 As Ben Tuff, Admissions Director at Rumsey Hall School noted, "Seniors (9th graders) benefit from the continued individualized support and challenges created by the faculty who are true experts in adolescence and know how to tap into the full potential of each individual student as leaders of the school and, most importantly: awesome human beings, as they prepare to excel in High School."

 And it’s not all hard work! Students at junior boarding schools live, work and play with their friends. They have a unique opportunity to develop independence, explore their interests, and grow into themselves, all in a safe and supportive environment. From participating in pick-up games after dinner to going on weekend trips to the theater in a nearby city to camping in the wilderness, there is never a dull moment at a junior boarding school, making it the perfect place for highly engaged and motivated tweens.

 To learn more about junior boarding schools, check out our upcoming Virtual Junior Boarding School Fair (Thursday, October 7th, 2021) or contact us directly for more information.

 We offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation where we will learn about your child, answer your questions, and begin to explore where your child will thrive. Call (914) 301-5422 to be connected to one of our educational consultants or fill out the form below to schedule your consultation now.