Here are some myths about boarding schools that can put parents off the idea of sending their children to this type of facility for their K-12 school years.

Only children of exceptionally wealthy parents can go to boarding schools

Some parents are convinced that only people who are incredibly wealthy can afford to give their child a boarding-school education. This is not true. The reality is far more complex. Firstly, whilst some boarding schools charge quite a lot, their fees are inclusive of many different things (including not only each child's education but also their meals, accommodation, the utilities used to provide water and heating to the school and the boarding rooms, as well as the maintenance of the school's sports grounds, gymnasium, cinema, library and theatre that the students get to make use of).

If a parent whose child is in day school were to add up the amount they spend during the school year on housing and feeding their child, on the fuel they use when transporting them to school and to their friends' houses, and the cost of their extracurricular hobbies, they would probably find that the fees charged by a typical boarding school are not that much higher than this figure.

Secondly, many boarding schools have scholarships which are available for children whose parents earn less than a specified amount. These scholarships may cover some or all of the boarding fees, as well as the provision of textbooks and other essentials.

Parents who put their children in boarding schools do so because they don't want them around

One of the most damaging myths about boarding schools is that parents who choose to utilise them only do so because they do not want to have their children around most of the time. This is completely false and can be very hurtful to both parents and children who take this educational route.

In reality, parents often put their children in boarding schools not only because they know that this will result in them receiving an amazing education, but also because it is the best way to ensure that their beloved children grow up in a very stable environment. For example, if two parents have careers that require them to move around a lot, or if they have a very tense relationship and are going through a lengthy divorce, they might decide that a boarding school would be the most suitable place for their child to spend their school years, as residing in this setting will make them feel safe and cared for, even during periods when their home life is in turmoil.

Similarly, parents who have chronic mental or physical health problems, who recognise how much this impairs their ability to parent their children and who want the very best for their offspring will often decide to place them in boarding schools so that they can have happy childhoods even when their parents are struggling.

To learn more, contact a boarding school in your area.