We have come to accept the fact that the best time to invest in a child intellectually is during his or her pre-teens. This is so because, whatever they learn at that time sticks and tends to manifest in the later years of their lives.
Although boarding schools come in two forms, the heart of the matter here is for you to know the best middle school boarding schools for boys and girls in 2024.
In this article, you will know the services that a junior boarding school renders to your children that the everyday boarding school wouldn’t.
Why don’t you take a look at the table of contents below to have a glimpse of the topics?
Table of contents
What Is A Middle School Boarding School?
According to Wikipedia, Junior schools are a type of boarding school specifically for students below the age of 13.
Usually, boarding schools offer educational programs for students between grades 9-12. But, on the reverse, junior boarding schools suits those in grades 9 and below. That is to say, between grades 6 to 9.
However, these middle school boarding schools are not in their majority.
Why Choose A Junior Boarding School?
As much this category of boarding school isn’t scattered all over the US and other developed countries, there are tangible reasons why parents opt to enroll their wards in middle school boarding schools.
Let’s take you down the list of some of the reasons why you to should consider enrolling your child(ren) in a junior boarding school.
They Offer Accelerated Learning
The basic reason that should act as a compelling force for you to get your ward enrolled is the fact that you want to see them start up their academic life, right?
So, this is about what the middle school boarding school prides itself in.
In a junior boarding school, students are not easily distracted by all the things that have the tendency to distract teenagers.
Therefore, it provides an opportunity for the students to be passionate about their intelligence.
Round The Clock Supervision
The glorious transition from childhood to adulthood really needs a close mark. Therefore, there are experienced members of staff whose jobs are to guide and direct the students.
This alone is right to keep your mind at rest, especially if you have a busy schedule or profession. So, you don’t get to panic about the security of your child.
Character Development
Basically, character development is a fundamental unit of the guidance and mentoring that junior boarding schools place so much value on.
In making sure that the values they have for character development isn’t substandard, they provide the support these students need to pull through the stage of adolescence.
Improvement of English Skills For International Students
Most junior boarding schools give their students a number of years to be proficient in English.
It is a major requirement that must be kept and achieved before the commencement of the very daunting academic work of either the high school or the college prep years.
However, if your English skills are solid as an international student, you don’t worry as you may have to focus on perfecting your writing skill.
Read more: 10 Best Boarding Schools In Kentucky For Boys And Girls | 2024
What Is Daily Life At Middle School Boarding Schools Like?
Apparently, life at a middle school boarding school could be fun at times, but, it works like a cycle.
The day begins with waking and supervising the students before they’re headed for breakfast.
At the end of the academic day, students go for their sports practices, and then, go on to have their free time all to themselves.
Following dinner is the time for study, after which the yoga classes come in.
Finally, supervision quiet time through to lights out. It is, however, important for you to note that all these depend on the student’s age.
Benefits Of A Junior Boarding School
The benefits of sending your wards to a junior boarding school will be provided to you in the list below.
- Middle school boarding schools expose students to diversity and would-be danger in a safe and nurturing environment.
- Students are exposed to a lot of opportunities.
- Improvement of relationships amongst broken families
- Encourages students’ independence
- Eradication of night fights about assignments.
List Of Middle School Boarding Schools For Boys & Girls
The choice of middle school you make for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make.
Apparently, you may ask what the criteria for the best junior boarding schools are.
Well, at the time of compilation, we have used the following ranking factors to aid us in giving you valid information.
Therefore, the ranking factors are as follows:
It is expedient that you enroll your ward into a well-recognized school either by a functional body or by the government.
When ranking the best junior boarding schools, we put into consideration the class size. This is just, so the students receive the maximum attention that is due to them.
This is an important factor in the sense that schools that have a mild acceptance rate for applicants tend to have and manage a conducive learning environment for the students. So, parents need not worry about the level of distraction because there would be none.
#1 North Country School
Founded in 1938, this junior boarding school offers a growing, hands-on education for children in grades 4 through 9. The students come from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries.
The unique program technique involves the farm-garden program, in-depth offers in studio and performing arts, and the most beautiful of all is the family-style residence it offers the students.
The acceptance rate for this middle school boarding school is 58%, with an average class size of 8.
An inscription made by the founder of this school, Walter Clark, thus ‘This whole school was built on this thought: children need direct experience if they are to grow and learn most effectively’ has made the school’s expectations of the students so high.
However, it has accreditation from The Association of Boarding Schools and the NY Association of Independent Schools.
You can read this: Best Boarding Schools in San Diego USA
#2 Applewild School
Applewild School is a middle school for boys and girls offering programs to grades 5 through 8.
Since its inception in 1957, it has continually educated students from around the world with an excellent art curriculum, insightful English Language Learning programs, and a top-notch secondary school placement.
Built on the core values of respect, compassion, honesty, and equity, the average class size is 6 enabling each student to get the desired attention according to his or her needs.
More so, having an enrollment rate of 275 students, the school is duly accredited by the following bodies: AISNE, NAIS, and SBSA.
#3 Randolph-Macon Academy
Because middle schools give room for students to become members of a diverse community, Randolph-Macon Academy has stood out in the list of the best junior boarding schools in 2024.
This situation makes the school’s dorm a place where boarding students can learn about lots of cultures, values, and beliefs.
This middle school has a remarkable household environment that gives the perfect setting for students’ educational experience, with 81.78% boarding students and 18.22% day students.
Now, the Randolph-Bacon Academy offers academic programs for day students as well as for those who choose to board in their dorms.
Interestingly, this school does more than prepare the students for college by providing them with a solid foundation in character, leadership, and knowledge.
This is to also motivate the rise in them and build their confidence, leadership skills, and discovery of new talents on a whole new level.
About 38% of the students receive the school’s financial aid. It holds its accreditation from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), and Advanced SACS.
So, enrolling your child into Randolph-Macon Academy junior school will be an experience to reckon with for you as a parent and for your wards as well.
Read more: 10 Best Boarding Schools for Students With Learning Disabilities
#4 Oakland School
This junior boarding school offers an educational program for students between the ages of 6 to 13. As a coeducational school, having both day and boarding students, it lays emphasis on reading, written languages, study skills, and the organization of words.
However, a comprehensive recreational program, it encourages some of the students who may have learning disabilities and are unable to cope with the traditional classroom setting.
It might interest you to know that at Oakland, there are individual programs fashioned to suit the special needs of the students.
More so, students receive at least 1:1 instruction on a daily basis.
Hence, the school’s low student-teacher ratio of 5:1 explains how much attention needed for real academic growth is given to the children.
This school is accredited by VAISE
#5 Indian Mountain School
This coeducation middle school boarding school hold its accreditation from Junior Boarding Schools Association.
The Indian Mountain School is a place where students are encouraged to think beyond who they already are.
Here, the relationship between the students and the teachers is strong, spectacular, and, most of all, daunting.
This junior school offers educational programs for boys and girls in Pre-kindergarten through grade in both boarding and day setting.
More so, the development of skill awareness here is second to none.
Alao, check this: Best Boarding Schools In Arizona For Boys & Girls
#6 Rectory School
At The Rectory School, students excel as a result of the individual attention they receive. The teachers encourage their students to reveal new talents and improve their skills with state-of-the-art facilities.
Also, since its inception, it has continually lived according to the values it upholds. These values are Honesty, Regard, Obligation, and Compassion.
This middle school boarding school is accredited by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), the Junior Boarding School Association (JBSA), and the Small Boarding School Association (SBSA).
#7 Fay School
Fay School is the oldest junior boarding school in the United States. It offers educational programs to students in kindergarten through 9 to both day students and those who choose to be boarders.
As much as this co-educational middle school boarding school is a place of discovery, challenge, and growth, it is also dedicated to encouraging students to achieve excellence in all pursuits.
In addition to being accredited by AISNE, its central purpose has remained undoubtedly shaken.
Fay School seeks to empower students to discover their potentials, develop their intellectual abilities, define their moral character, and make a positive impact in the world.
#8. The Bement School
This junior boarding school provides an education for children in kindergarten through the ninth grade for both day and boarding students.
The curriculum for Bement School stands so rich and, on the other hand, motivates the students with the diverse programs.
More so, with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 12, the junior boarders have eco-friendly dormitories allocated to them.
Additionally, this middle school boarding school seeks an academically diverse, international, and multicultural student body.
#9 Asia Pacific International School Hawaii
Asia Pacific International School (APIS) is a middle, coeducational boarding school on the mission to create a distinction in bringing up leaders of the New Pacific Century.
Asia Pacific International School Hawaii is accredited by the following bodies
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
- Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
#10 Delphian School
Founded on the premise that students have a way of comprehending even the most complex subjects, the Delphi program supports this through its effort to give the students aindividual attention.
The professional curriculum it uses teaches the students the most valuable skill of how to teach themselves anything they want to learn.
Additionally, the following bodies are responsible for the accreditation of this school.
- Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
- Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)
- The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
- Western Boarding Schools Association (WBSA)
Finally, the average class size for this middle school boarding school is 20 students.
Conclusion
I hope these schools in our list of middle school boarding schools serve you the purpose for which you seek this information.
Best wishes
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