Certainly, every parent wants the best for their son or daughter. What makes boarding school a great gift and advantage?
Every parent wants the best for their son or daughter.
Boarding school is an education in itself. Part of that experience is the strong, lifelong identification with a place and a people. That happens nowhere as it does in the life of a St. Bernard boarding student.
Life is about overcoming fear and taking risks, of accepting responsibility and self-control.
We set high expectations that lead to growth, maturity, and self-knowledge: all good things that come from a healthy measure of independence and self-reliance.
More than others, boarding school students know how to study, set goals, budget their time, adjust to less social media, and get along with other people. They must make decisions and accept consequences, solve problems, clean their room, develop study habits, do laundry, and learn to accept the joys and difficulties of life with others – and that may mean an occasional disagreement and an "I'm sorry."
Good things come from a healthy measure of independence and self-reliance.
It's all a matter of making choices, a thing each of us must learn to do. That is what growth and responsibility are all about. Allowing a young person to sprout wings and make decisions is difficult; sometimes more difficult for parents than for their children. But helping them gain such independence is necessary for a full life and true happiness.
There is a closeness that develops between students.
One student recently remarked, “Boarding school is like having a sleepover with friends every night!” The experience of life together - not just sharing classes and activities, but living together - creates deep, grounding friendships that remain for life.
Living together creates deep, grounding friendships that remain for life.
There is a connection to both the school community and the monks.
The Benedictine monks' love for God and neighbor make St. Bernard Prep School possible. Students see this first hand. They identify with those men who, even years later, are always here to care for them.
Alumni frequently renew their connectedness by coming "home" to visit one of the monks.
Boarding students see St. Bernard as their home because of the peace they feel here.
It’s a common theme we hear from faculty, students and our alumni. What other school, what other place engenders this feeling?
It may seem counter intuitive, but through boarding school, parents and children grow closer.
Parents often comment on the changes they see in their child: increasing closeness and affection shown toward the family; a depth of communication, appreciation and love that had perhaps been undeveloped at home; and the self-discipline, respect and confidence that comes from the school's belief in teenagers’ ability to think for themselves and do what is good.
Children see that their parents love them enough to entrust them with a certain amount of freedom.
Of course there are moments when parents and children miss each other. It’s a natural part of the transition to adulthood.
But through the boarding experience parents find themselves relating to their children more profoundly. Children have a new appreciation for the bond that exists between them. They grow in their understanding of their parents’ love, a love that trusts the child’s growing independence.
As you consider boarding school at SBP, don't hesitate to contact us. If you think it helpful, we will put you in touch with some of our boarding students and their parents. Hear first-hand their own St. Bernard boarding experience.