BOARDING SCHOOLS

A boarding school is a place where a child not only studies but also lives — around the clock, with three meals a day, house staff and a strict schedule. It is the most popular option for children aged 7 to 18 who pursue secondary education abroad without their parents.

Who lives there?
Mostly children from other countries — around 30–40% of pupils at private boarding schools in Switzerland and the United Kingdom come from abroad. The most active groups are Chinese, German, Russian and Arab students. In British boarding schools the share of international pupils reaches 25%, in Swiss ones it can hit 80–90%. Parents choose this format when they want to give their child not just knowledge, but also discipline, accent-free English, sport and connections for the future.

What is daily life like?
Pupils live in residences known as «houses». Each house has its own name, its own colour and sometimes even its own anthem. The youngest (7–11 years old) usually share rooms of 4–6, the middle age group (11–14) share rooms of 2–4, and the oldest (14–18) get single or double rooms. Each building has a shared common room with sofas and a TV, a small kitchen with a kettle and microwave, and a laundry room. The house parents live there too — checking homework, making sure everyone goes to bed, and settling quarrels. The routine is intense: wake-up at 7 a.m., breakfast, lessons from 9 to 15–16, then sport or clubs, dinner, supervised prep, and lights out between 21 and 23 depending on age. At weekends there are excursions, matches and trips into town. During the long holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer) the boarding school closes — pupils either go home or stay with host families (a separate service for an extra fee).

The upsides. Safety — the child is always supervised. Language — especially at international boarding schools (Switzerland, the United Kingdom), children speak English around the clock. Discipline — the routine teaches organisation. Sport and clubs — no need to drive the child anywhere, everything is on site. And, most importantly, the child is neither left to their own devices nor a burden on unfamiliar adults, as can happen with a host family.

The downsides. It is expensive — boarding schools cost significantly more than day schools. Separation from family — younger children can feel very homesick. Limited freedom — curfews and the ban on going out without permission frustrate teenagers. A heavy workload — combining study, sport and prep really is hard. And one more thing: at some boarding schools relationships between pupils and house staff are very formal — less like a family and more like the army or a hotel.

What is interesting in different countries.

• United Kingdom. The birthplace of boarding schools. The tradition goes back several hundred years — Eton was founded in 1440, Harrow in 1572. Each house is its own little world with its own traditions: dinners in gowns, cricket matches, the initiation of newcomers. House parents often live in a neighbouring flat with their own family — the children play with their kids. Almost all British boarding schools are located in the countryside, in historic buildings. Winters are cold and hot water can be scarce — this is considered character-building.
• Switzerland. Here boarding schools are all about comfort and international life. Rooms are more often single, with a private bathroom. Teaching is in three languages (English, German, French). There are ski clubs, spas and stables. International pupils are the overwhelming majority, with local children in the minority. Prices are the highest in the world. In return, the atmosphere is freer than in England.
• Germany. German boarding schools (Internat) are often attached not to private but to state schools — you only pay for accommodation and meals (around 500–1,500 euros a month). This makes them more affordable. They are more democratic — pupils take part in running the school through a parliament. Many boarding schools have an environmental focus: their own farm, vegetable garden and forest school. The rules are strict, but fair.
• USA. American boarding schools are huge campuses in the suburbs. Sport comes first: football fields, swimming pools, basketball courts. The school teams compete against other schools. Residences are often divided by interest: a «music house», a «sports house». The house staff are usually young teachers who live on site. Relationships are more informal than in Europe.

Who is it right for?
For children who are ready for discipline, want to immerse themselves fully in their studies and don’t mind living in an international environment. It is an excellent fit if the parents work abroad or want their child to get into a top university. It is a poor fit for very home-loving children who struggle to be apart from their family.

A less obvious fact. At good boarding schools the standard of education is often higher than at private day schools — simply because pupils have more time for study and prep. There is no hour-long journey home, no need to help with the cooking — all free time goes either to sport or to books. Many boarding-school graduates say they slept just 5–6 hours a night, but got into exactly the university they wanted.