Breaking the myth: Do only busy parents send their kids to boarding schools?

Boarding schools have come a long way from their old-school reputation as a refuge of time-strapped families. Far from being a ‘Plan B’ for overly busy parents, modern boarding education complements evolving parenting styles – from generation X’s push for early independence to millennial parents’ focus on holistic development and an aspiration for international university admissions for their children.

In this light, boarding schools have emerged from being a convenience-driven choice to becoming a strategic investment in a child’s personality and confidence.

In the UK, for instance, there is a massive interest in securing seats at top independent schools, with close to 70,000 pupils registered as boarders with Independent Schools Council in the 2023-24 academic year.

The same trend is gaining prevalence in India due to many factors, contributing to a surging appeal for boarding schools, particularly in urban areas.

Over the past two decades, Indian parenting styles have shifted from a protective to a more proactive approach – where every aspect of a child’s daily life is adapted to match with their interests to keep them more engaged. While choosing between schools, families not only seek the right curriculum but also demonstrate interest in exploring international education options.

As a result, international boarding schools are becoming a popular option, not only because they offer international curricula, but also for a child’s personal development, especially during adolescence. In fact, India’s diverse socio-economic landscape has given rise to a segmented market for international schools, with the K-12 international schools, now enrolling more than 400,000 students between the ages 3-18 during the 2023-24 academic year.

Indian educational philosophy has pivoted itself on the whole-person development of an individual, character building and imbibing a sense of purpose. International boarding schools reflect the same philosophy with an added perspective of building responsible and entrepreneurial citizens.

Gone are the days when boarding education in India was stereotyped as a place for children who had trouble at school or home. In contrast, these schools are ideal choices for teenagers who already excel and would simply like to find new opportunities to better support their learning journeys.

The immersive environment of residential schools promotes the development of the whole-person, going well beyond academics. Without the need for daily commuting, students have more time to participate in hands-on learning in laboratories and workshops, and super-curricular activities such as sports, music, fine arts, performing arts and drama.

By weaving these pursuits into their everyday routines, boarding schools provide versatile platforms for students to explore their interests and develop their individual talents, making their campus experience deeply fulfilling.

One of the other misconceptions about boarding life revolves around not being able to be in touch with family.

However, as the internet has redefined how students and their families communicate, the boarding house staff remains as the cornerstone of student welfare, providing compassionate support and playing an important role in keeping the children connected with their families.

Moreover, one of the distinctive advantages of staff support at boarding schools lies in their personalized approach to teaching. With smaller class sizes and a low student-teacher ratio, educators can adapt their methods to suit each child’s unique learning style.

Ultimately, there is no set criterion while selecting the right school - it depends on a child’s learning pace and future aspirations. International curricula, IGCSE, for instance, can offer a strong advantage with its flexible pedagogies, allowing students to select subjects of choice through a fully-customized curriculum.

One of the significant reasons boarding schools are becoming popular among young parents is their forward-thinking approach to education, especially through the integration of cutting-edge technology into learning.

From AI-powered learning tools and VR-enabled lessons to fully-equipped STEM labs, students gain early exposure to modern innovations, making learning future-ready.

In contrast to day schools with strict study routines, boarding schools also provide a culturally rich campus experience. Students learn alongside peers from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, which nurtures lifelong friendships and a strong sense of belonging.

This encourages open-mindedness and adaptability –qualities essential for success in today’s globalized world.

Today, these institutes offer far more than traditional academics – they are vibrant school communities where students can truly feel at home. By integrating a homely atmosphere with state-of-the-art infrastructure, residential education in India has become a well-planned investment in a child’s future.

It presents the youth in India with a transformative opportunity to cultivate intellectual curiosity, independence and resilience needed to flourish in a constantly changing global landscape.