When it comes to educating their children, parents are faced with so many choices that it’s no surprise that the options can become overwhelming. There are different programs to choose from, ranging from national options to programs like the International Baccalaureate. Language is a factor to take into account: is a single language of instruction useful or would it be better to opt for a bilingual stream? Then there is the age-old question of day versus boarding schools.

Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States and Switzerland have a long and rich heritage of boarding schools and every year many parents around the world choose to send their children to study at these historic institutions. But Asia is also home to a growing number of boarding schools, offering students in the region the chance to experience boarding school life while staying closer to home.

A handful of schools in Hong Kong offer boarding facilities and arguably the two best-known names among them are Harrow International School Hong Kong and Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong. The former is a local outpost of one of the UK’s leading state schools and was established in 2012; the second, founded in 1992, is part of the prestigious United World Colleges network.

But what makes boarding an attractive option for parents and students? Some students thrive in this setting, but it may not be the ideal choice for all children. Here are some things to consider when making this critical decision.

A unique educational experience

Most educators agree that boarding schools offer many benefits that allow students to thrive. “Many students love the fact that they don’t have to take the bus to and from school, giving them more time to do their homework or make the most of the incredible facilities we have. we have here at the school. “, says Tom Hicks, Senior Deputy Director of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing at Harrow Hong Kong. “Many simply enjoy spending more time with their friends, but (boarding) also allows them to have access to members of staff who might be able to help them with their extracurricular activities as well as homework support specific to a subject.

One of the most important benefits of boarding school is that it gives students the best chance to strive for academic excellence. “(Boarding) provides a more immersive educational experience, allowing for 24/7 engagement with academic, extracurricular and social activities,” says Henri Behar, principal of the John F. Kennedy International School at Gstaad, Switzerland. In these immersive environments, students have a reliable structure for optimal learning, as well as more facilities and time to study. Additionally, students at these schools often benefit from smaller class sizes, more personalized attention, and easier access to academic support when needed.

Living away from home during these formative years also gives children the opportunity to gain independence and enjoy meaningful personal development, two things that day students sometimes don’t get the chance to experience until later, for example when they attend university. At boarding school, children are generally required to be more independent than they would at home and, as a result, quickly learn essential skills such as time management, problem solving and resilience. By helping students develop these skills, boarding also instills essential attributes such as confidence and leadership.

Boarding schools also often offer greater cultural diversity as they attract students from all over the world and from different backgrounds. “(Boarding school) requires students to learn to get along with a wide range of people, including those with whom they have little in common,” notes Paul Wickes, principal of Malvern College Hong Kong, who previously taught at the prestigious Malvern boarding school in Hong Kong. UNITED KINGDOM. “This is an important life skill because in their professional lives they will need to work as members of diverse teams, and the ability to build high-performing teams with diverse personalities will be crucial to their success . »