Top Qualities to Look for in a Good Boarding School

Boarding schools are the second home of the children is indeed a cliché, yet it remains a hard-to-accept truth. Why? The decision of sending the child to a place where he or she will be alone (with friends and teachers, of course) for the next decade or more is heartwrenching. And, there are plenty of boarding schools in India, promising top educational standards, extracurricular activities, and personality development of the child. 

But how can parents navigate the factors? What are the points they need to mind while creating a list of the best boarding schools? To address this major step, go through these 4 detailed factors that will help every parent navigate the roadmap towards the best boarding school. 

 

Key Factors to Consider for Boarding Schools in India 

Here are some of the main qualities that parents must look for in a residential school: 

1. Academic Standard and Facilities

Curriculum: A curriculum is a set of structures, lessons, assessments, and skills that an institution builds specifically to achieve certain educational goals. As for the Indian curriculum, it does not comply with modern thinking and the rapid change of technology. Even after the launch of the New Education Policy 2020, it is still lacking in the implementation process. 

So, to ensure that the child gets the best standard of education, parents need to check if the boarding school is affiliated with boards of education such as IB, Cambridge, or IGCSE, rather than just CBSE (which is necessary, but not enough). The top boarding schools in India are usually affiliated with these boards of education. 

IB or International Baccalaureate encourages:

• Open-mindedness among students around cultures across the globe

• Critical thinking, acceptance, and self-directed learning 

The Cambridge curriculum emphasizes: 

• Personality factors such as confidence, responsibility, reflection, and lifelong learning 

• Making students resilient to the tough challenges of upcoming life

IGCSE or International General Certificate of Secondary Education focuses on: 

• Critical thinking, creative problem solving, and self-analysis 

• Deep knowledge of the subject 

Faculty: The faculty members of the school, such as teachers and instructors, who guide students in the learning process. Along with their qualification, they must act as a mentor, guide, and a counselor who understands their students and provides the required solutions. 

• Advanced Learning Facilities: Residential schools must have modern infrastructure integrated into the learning programs of students. It includes smart whiteboards and projectors. 

• Individualized Learning Support: Many students are introverted, which drops their academic performance and learning abilities. To address this issue, the parents must ensure that the boarding they are choosing includes programs especially for hesitant children. 

2. Student Safety and Well Being 

• Safe and Secure Environment: To prevent suspicious activities, residential schools must have a dedicated department or a stem structure that deals strictly with issues like bullying or harassment. Also, every girls' residential school in India must have 24/7 surveillance systems, security guards, and safety alarms that will alert the school authorities to ensure complete safety and security. 

• Supports Pastoral Care: Because the students are not living with their parents, they will need pastoral care, which will help in navigating social and emotional support. It will help them manage friendships and self-image related problems. 

• Healthy Lifestyle: The daily routines of a good boarding school must look after students’ mental and physical health. Just like the many boarding schools in Dehradun, which are famous for integrating productive tasks and physical activities to keep students active. 

3. Holistic Development and Extracurriculars

• Diverse Activities: Boarding schools must engage students in extracurricular activities such as music and dance clubs, art and crafts, and innovative science exhibitions that are held on a grand level under the CBSE schools in Dehradun. 

• Character and Values: To have a strong character and values is a necessary part of a student’s life. These aspects shape a student's sense of identity, integrity, and the perception of responsibility. 

• Cultural and Social Opportunities: The boarding schools also host cultural events and programs like volunteering, enabling students to experience various traditions and societal structures. 

4. Infrastructure and Campus Environment

Healthy Environment: The environment of the campus must encourage healthy conversations and activities. No parent would love to see their child engaging in an activity that can majorly affect their character and future. 

Modern Infrastructure: The boarding schools must have modern infrastructure meeting students’ basic needs, such as sanitation, water supply, soundproof rooms, libraries, laboratories, and smart classrooms. It must not exclude dedicated facilities for sports and academics, creative arts, and sports, fostering a nurturing environment for holistic learning. 

Timely Maintenance of Infrastructure: Suppose a school operates with a great infrastructure, but it stays unused or unmaintained. No wonder it will become Spider’s dream home. To ensure that the infrastructure is timely maintained, the parents can check recent events and activities happening on the campus. It will present a fair idea of the condition of infrastructure, from sports to libraries, and so on. 

 

Conclusion

The boarding schools in India are renowned for providing a high-standard education. With academics and extracurricular activities, they focus on continuous learning and personality development, fostering growth, productivity, and a supportive environment among the students. The pointers mentioned above discuss the same perspective and guide the parents on the qualities they must look for when finding a reliable residential school. 

If there is any residential school that meets all the qualities mentioned above, it is The Asian School. It is a renowned residential boarding school that is affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and provides holistic learning by supporting emotional and moral development. The schools also provide a wide range of extracurricular activities, including music, dance, and drama, fostering creativity, making it the perfect residential boarding school in Dehradun.