For many parents who find themselves moving countries every couple of years, the prospect of sending-off a child to boarding school is a decision never taken lightly. Firstly, one must choose from a vast number of countries which offer a diverse boarding school culture, many with high academic and extracurricular standards. From the United Kingdom with its centuries old colleges, to prestigious schools in Canada and the U.S., boarding schools have traditionally been viewed as a bastion of “global experience” for children whose parents are willing to let them go, often at a very young age, and for extended periods of time.
Integrating with fellow pupils from the four corners of the world is one of the invaluable experiences for many student boarders. But, often the reality of having a child far from home, as well as the costs involved for annual tuition and regular plane tickets home, put many expat parents off from actively searching for that right school.
On Saturday March 29th the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) will present their affiliated college-preparatory schools at the JW Marriott hotel in Bogotá. During the afternoon event (starting 1:30 p.m) representatives from 300 of the best ranked boarding schools will be on hand to talk with parents interested in exploring a North American education portfolio.
Serving as a bridge between schools and students, TABS also leads a domestic and international effort to promote awareness and understanding of boarding schools to expand the applicant pool. TABS is the voice for independent boarding schools, their historical contribution to the world, and the current and compelling benefits of living and learning in an enriching academic community.
One of the schools represented this year is Saint Andrew’s in South Florida. Situated on an 81-acre campus and just five miles from the Atlantic surf, the school offers a traditional college-preparatory boarding experience in a part of the world easily accessible from Colombia. The curriculum includes honors level courses in each department, 22 Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Recent campus upgrades include a new center for the performing arts, science center, athletic complex, dance studio, track and rock-climbing wall. Eighteen varsity-level sports and recent state championships in soccer, tennis, swimming, golf water polo and lacrosse highlight the athletic program. Saint Andrew’s offers a family-like community that promotes student development in mind, body and spirit. Boarding students at Saint Andrew’s come from 25 countries around the world and are supported by an accomplished and nurturing faculty.
So while boarding may not be cut-out for every child, it is undoubtedly an important option for parents looking to strengthen international values and a necessary alternative to educational uncertainty and the private school culture of Bogotá.
