Private Day and Boarding Schools 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. Private
day and boarding school education is paid for by tuition which is supplemented by annual fundraising,
capital campaigns, and endowment funds. Scholarships are only partial, if they are available at all. The
school admission process can consume a family's time, energy, and emotions. As a knowledgeable, ethical,
experienced, and objective educational consultant, my goal is to reduce this anxiety and stress by identifying schools
where your child has not only the best chance of being sucessful and happy, but the best chance of
being admitted. The National Association
of Independent Schools website provides information about the admission process, tuition, quality of education, and
research about the benefits of private day and boarding school education. 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. This
year's preview is September 20th, from 2-5 pm at the J.W. Marriott Hotel by the Galleria. The Association of Boarding Schools
is one 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 over one hundred Greater Houston area private
day schools at least once; many of them three or more times. This fall I will be traveling to many boarding
school campuses in Connecticut, North Carolina, and Texas. I will also meet with numerous admission
directors and representatives from schools all over the nation at conferences in 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. | 
