Staying Connected: The Power of Family Involvement in Boarding Schools (Part 2)
This article is the second in a three-part series exploring the transformative role of family involvement in therapeutic programs and boarding schools. Each article highlights how family engagement positively impacts children’s growth, emotional well-being, and long-term success.
In Part 1, we examined how family involvement is crucial to the success of therapeutic programs. In this article, we turn our focus to boarding schools, discussing why staying connected is essential and sharing actionable strategies for families to maintain meaningful connections with their children.
Staying Connected: The Power of Family Involvement in Boarding Schools
Boarding schools offer a structured environment where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. However, for these environments to have their intended positive impact, family involvement is essential—especially for students who may benefit from on-campus counseling or wellness support for challenges like anxiety, depression, or other emotional needs. When families stay engaged, they provide an emotional anchor, helping children feel grounded and supported, even from a distance.
For parents, understanding the importance of involvement and how best to support their child’s experience at boarding school is key. This article will explore why family engagement is critical for boarding school students and offer strategies for maintaining a strong, positive connection with your child, even when they are living away from home.
1. Why Family Involvement Is Critical in Boarding Schools
The importance of family involvement doesn’t end when a child goes away to boarding school—it evolves. Many parents assume that because their child is living in a structured environment, the school will take over many responsibilities that were once theirs. However, Educational Consultant, Jodi Liston emphasizes, “Boarding schools, no matter how well-structured, cannot replicate the emotional safety net that families provide. Parents must stay engaged, especially when their children have needs like differentiated learning styles, anxiety, or require on-campus wellness support.”
Children who attend boarding schools often experience homesickness, anxiety, or feelings of isolation. These emotions can be even more pronounced for children with special needs, such as learning disabilities or mental health concerns. In these situations, the involvement of the family becomes even more vital, as it provides emotional grounding and a sense of stability that children need to thrive.
“Parents play an indispensable role in supporting their child’s emotional and mental well-being, no matter how independent the school environment might seem. For children with additional needs, family involvement ensures they have the continuous support system they require to succeed.” - Jodi Liston
2. Understanding the Unique Challenges Faced by Children with Specific Support Needs
For some students, managing academic, emotional, or social challenges requires a higher level of support. In a boarding school environment, where students are encouraged to develop self-sufficiency, children with particular support needs—such as differentiated learning styles, anxiety, or the need for regular on-campus counseling—may find themselves struggling to keep up or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of increased independence.
For example, a student with a learning difference might find it difficult to keep pace with academic expectations without the tailored support they receive at home. Similarly, a child who experiences anxiety or depression may feel isolated without the close emotional connections they are used to. While boarding schools are designed to help students gain independence and practice self-sufficiency, there can be gaps in support for those who require more individualized attention.
Jodi Liston, explains, “Boarding schools provide many opportunities for growth, but students with specific support needs often require a more individualized approach. That’s where family involvement becomes essential. Parents can help bridge the gap between the school’s resources and their child’s unique needs.”
3. What Does Healthy Family Involvement Look Like?
Healthy family involvement in boarding school requires balancing active support with respect for the child’s growing independence. Parents can play a supportive role by staying connected to both their child and the school. Jodi emphasizes, “Family involvement isn’t about hovering or controlling. It’s about showing consistent interest, providing emotional support, and maintaining a positive connection.”
Here are ways parents can stay involved productively:
• Regular Communication: Scheduled phone calls, video chats, or letters offer your child a comforting link to home. For students who might need added emotional support for challenges like anxiety, learning differences, or adapting to new routines, these check-ins can be reassuring. Consistent communication fosters a sense of stability even when they’re away.
• Participation in School Events: Making time to attend events—such as parent-teacher conferences, performances, or sports—shows your commitment to your child’s journey. Jodi shares, “Showing up for your child’s milestones, whether in person or virtually, signals that you are invested in their success.”
• Engagement with School Staff: Strong relationships with dorm parents, teachers, and counselors help parents stay informed and ensure their child’s needs are being met. Jodi notes, “When my son was in boarding school, we stayed in close contact with his dorm parents, which helped us be proactive in supporting him.”
• Advocating for Individual Support: For children who may benefit from accommodations like extra academic help or counseling, parents can work with school staff to create a support plan tailored to their needs. Being involved in this process helps ensure a positive and successful experience.
4. Supporting Students Who Need Additional Help: Practical Strategies
Children who need extra support for challenges like anxiety, learning differences, or emotional well-being may not always have the confidence to advocate for themselves. This is where family involvement is essential; parents play a critical role in ensuring their child has the right tools and resources for success.
Jodi Liston suggests the following strategies for families to provide steady, empowering support:
• Foster Self-Advocacy: Encourage your child to express their needs by discussing how to approach teachers, dorm staff, or counselors when challenges arise. This can help build their confidence in seeking help on their own, a valuable skill for boarding school life and beyond.
• Check In Regularly on Emotional Well-Being: While academic progress is important, emotional well-being is equally critical. Instead of focusing solely on grades or assignments, use conversations with your child and school staff to understand their overall experience and identify any areas where they may be struggling emotionally.
• Encourage Connection to On-Campus Resources: Work with the school to identify and connect your child to available resources, such as wellness centers, peer support groups, or learning accommodations. By helping them access these resources, parents can foster a proactive approach to navigating their school environment independently.
• Collaborate on a Personalized Support Plan: Partnering with school staff to create a support plan tailored to your child’s needs can be invaluable. This plan should outline key resources and provide a framework for handling academic and emotional challenges, creating a structured environment for success.
Jodi emphasizes, “Children may not always have the confidence to seek help independently, so it’s crucial for parents to stay involved and guide them in using the support systems available. Whether it’s academic assistance, counseling, or specialized resources, parents play a central role in making sure their child has what they need to succeed.”
5. How Boarding Schools Can Encourage Family Involvement
While family involvement is essential, it’s not solely the responsibility of parents to maintain this connection—boarding schools must also create opportunities for families to engage. Schools that encourage and facilitate family involvement tend to see better outcomes for their students, especially those with additional needs.
Here are some ways boarding schools can foster stronger family engagement:
• Offering Regular Parent-Teacher Conferences: Schools should provide multiple opportunities throughout the academic year for parents to meet with teachers and staff to discuss their child’s progress. These meetings are a valuable tool for parents to stay informed and address any concerns.
• Hosting Family Weekends and School Events: Schools can host family weekends, open houses, or other events where parents are invited to visit the campus, meet with staff, and participate in their child’s life at school.
• Clear Communication Channels: Schools should establish clear and consistent communication channels, such as online portals or regular email updates, to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and any issues that may arise. Transparent communication is key to building trust and ensuring that parents feel like active participants in their child’s education.
• Providing Access to Support Services: Schools can support students with additional needs by offering counseling services, academic accommodations, and specialized learning resources. By working closely with parents, schools can ensure that these resources are aligned with the child’s individual needs.
“When schools actively encourage family involvement, it creates a collaborative environment where the child’s well-being is the top priority. Parents feel empowered, and students benefit from the continuity of support both at school and at home.” - Jodi Liston
Conclusion
Family involvement is essential to the success of children at boarding schools, particularly for those with additional needs. By staying engaged, advocating for their child’s needs, and maintaining open communication with school staff, parents can provide the emotional support and stability their child needs to thrive in a boarding school environment. As Jodi Liston notes, “Boarding schools offer structure and academic growth, but families provide the emotional foundation that students need to succeed.”
Boarding schools that actively encourage family involvement and offer resources for parents create a supportive ecosystem that fosters resilience, independence, and long-term success for their students. Together, schools and families can build a partnership that supports the well-being and development of children, ensuring they are set up for success both during and after their time at school.
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Keywords: Family involvement in boarding schools, Benefits of family engagement, Supporting children at boarding school, Parenting strategies for boarding school students, Academic and emotional growth, Boarding schools and family communication, Emotional well-being of students, Parent engagement in education, Strategies for family support, Mental health support at boarding schools