The Value of Boarding School for Middle School Aged Girls
The years between ages 11 and 15 are a time of intense physical, social and emotional change. Many parents find that their lovely child has become a moody stranger-seemingly overnight. Changes such as mood swings, irritability, and secretiveness are not uncommon and are largely a result of rapid hormonal and physical development.
While most teenagers (and parents) weather this middle-school aged storm without too many scars, some teens become very angry or aggressive toward parents or others or start to make choices that can be dangerous. Unfortunately, this is also a time when the influence of peers becomes very strong, and a troubled teen that has chosen friends who are abusing substances or practicing unsafe sex is more likely practice these behaviors herself.
Sometimes boarding school is an option for those troubled teens that need more structure and support than they are getting in their present environment. Some of the benefits of a boarding school environment for middle school aged girls are:
- She can make a fresh start in a new environment before problematic behaviors are deeply rooted. Here, she is removed from negative influences and has an opportunity to learn, grow, and be a leader.
- There is 24-hour structure and supervision by professional staff trained to work with problematic behaviors.
- Boarding schools generally have smaller classes with more opportunity for academic success. Gaining academic ground will help to assure readiness for both high school and college.
- If an all-girls school, your child will have the opportunity to achieve and learn better, away from the distraction of and need to impress boys.
- If she attends a therapeutic boarding school, she will have an opportunity to participate in activities that will foster social and emotional growth.