Families choose private, or independent,
day and boarding schools for many reasons. Perhaps they attended these schools, or their public school does not have
programs that meet the needs or interests of their child. My family has a tradition of attending private day and
traditional boarding schools, and I can share my experiences and insights with you. The Houston Area Independent Schools
Association is a large group of schools which provides information about their member schools. The HAIS
hosts an annual Private School Preview so parents and students may meet the admissions staff and administators
and pick up materials on schools. The HAIS website provides facts about member school
and links to their websites. Many traditional boarding schools are
also represented at the Private School Preview. The 2011 Preview will be held Sunday, September 25th
from 3-5 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel across from The Galleria. Houston has a newly formed Coalition of Special Schools
whose members serve a range of children and adults with neurologically-based learning differences and/or physical disabilities.
I have visited the school member programs among this group and confidently placed children in these excellent schools. I have
also worked with families when their children are ready to leave one of these schools and take the next step to a mainstream
educational program. 
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The Association
of Boarding Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools are two of the best resources
for parents who are considering traditional boarding school education for their child. Boarding schools can
provide students with a rich sense of community and belonging to an institution with long traditions where good character
and behavior is the norm. Some boarding schools offer a junior program for
students as young as sixth grade; others offer a post-graduate year. Today's boarding schools have a highly
diverse student body. Athletic programs may include hiking and climbing, riding, sailing, or skiing, in additional
to team sports such as ice hockey and lacrosse. Students can find extensive visual and performing arts
programs and superior athletic facilities at most schools. A majority of boarding schools provide well-staffed
learning support centers to help each student be successful in the classroom plus experienced guidance counselors to
help with the college admission process. I have visited 120 Greater Houston
area private day schools at least once; many of them four or more times. I have visited boarding
school campuses in Texas, Virginia, Oregon, Georgia, Connecticut, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Vermont, Tennessee and Massachusetts. I
have also met with numerous admission directors and representatives from schools all over the nation at conferences in
Boston, Baltimore, Houston and Charlotte, N.C. My IECA membership provides a large network of experienced
consultants with whom I share information about schools in order to get the right fit for my clients. Contact me now cfmeans44@gmail.com 713-851-2488 Mon.-Fri.
9am-5pm
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