Boarding School Options and Considerations

Boarding School Advantages & Advice - Is it right for you?

Boarding schools are no longer the places troublesome kids are sent to. They are nice places where students learn to excel in all aspects of growing up, from academics to athletics. Boarding schools have a certain appeal- they are a home away from home. Studies made by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) have revealed that kids who grew up in boarding schools were highly successful, more so than their counterparts who attended day schools.

Students who attend boarding schools find greater success than their peers in college
and in adult life, according to a new study conducted by the Arts & Science Group
of Baltimore on behalf of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). This information
provides solid data that breaks down long-held misperceptions about boarding schools.
Click here to view the TRUTH ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOLS.

A survey showed that over 95 % of students attending boarding school, as well as their parents, were very satisfied with the experience. They felt that the quality of their boarding school education was excellent because of the quality of the faculty members. These teachers encourage self-motivation and confidence along with a high standard of education. It was found that boarding school students were more prolific in planning their time than day-school students.

Boarding schools emphasize overall personality development that seems to be lacking in day schools. Boarding schools are well known for preparing their students for college and students do very well on college entrance exams. Graduates tend to have higher payer jobs and excel in whatever profession they chose as a career. Boarding school students are also very philanthropic, especially when it comes to giving back to the boarding school they attended.

There are many different types of boarding schools. A common myth that is generally associated with these schools is that they have homogeneous groups of students, catering to the elite class. This is not true, as most boarding schools have a generous mix of students from all races, religions, regions and economic backgrounds. Another myth is that, students in boarding schools come from troubled families and have problematic backgrounds.

Some important aspects to be considered when selecting a boarding school are the kinds of programs the school offers, the accreditation of the school, the quality of the faculty, the available resources, student teacher ratio, standard of academics, sport’s programs, art, etc.

Boarding schools are no longer outrageously expensive. There are many boarding schools that offer scholarships to students. There are also other financing options available including student loans. Information about hundreds of boarding schools and their programs is available on the Internet. You will also find how some boarding schools rank in terms of quality of education and programs offered. The best way to select one is to determine the kind of school a student wishes to attend is to visit a few of them to get a feel for the facilities and the program that are offered.

When considering whether boarding school is the right choice for you or your child there are several things to consider and compare. Depending on your location, nearby private day schools, magnet schools, or public high schools might be an option for you. However, there are certain benefits that are unique to boarding schools. If you're considering local options instead of boarding school, you should weigh these important considerations:

Attention to students - Boarding schools generally have small class sizes that help teachers engage every student in the classroom. Classroom settings are often specifically designed to encourage student participation and eye contact among everyone in class.
Growth & Independance- Boarding school students' self-reliance and independence are bolstered.
Improved Study Skills- Boarding school students are provided with regular supervised study periods.
Quality of resources - The student resources at boarding schools - such as the library, art & music facilities, or athletic complexes - can often be superior relative to local options.
Challenging academics - The academics at boarding schools operate at high standards. Students are pushed to "ask why," become inquisitive, and tackle challenging problems.
Broad and diverse offerings - The course selections at boarding schools tend to be quite diverse, have plenty of AP options, and offer a wide range of topics. Athletic and extracurricular options tend to be broad as well, which encourage students to try new things. Many boarding schools also offer opportunities to study in different countries.
College counseling - The college counseling departments at boarding schools are generally well-staffed and taken quite seriously. Counselors often have plenty of experience in helping applicants identify appropriate schools and advising them on getting-in at competitive institutions. Florida Air Academy is among specialty schools in the United States with 100% college acceptance since 1978.

Source: E-Boarding Schools

Vision Statement:

Developing Leaders for the 21st Century

The Mission Of Florida Air Academy:

To emphasize mutual respect and personal responsibility in order to focus on student success within our college preparatory and military academy tradition.

Cadet Handboook

The latest Cadet Handbook will soon be available for downloading.

Honor Code

A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal . . .

Admission

Admission to Florida Air Academy comes after a formal review process by the Admissions Committee. Candidates are expected to show evidence of sound moral, mental and physical traits. Grades and transcripts from previous schools, as well as letters of reference, will determine eligibility for enrollment.

A visit to the campus for a personal interview is strongly suggested, although it is not required. Admissions Department personnel are available for campus tours seven days a week by appointment.

Application Agreement Form

Student Information Profile

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Admission Process:

1.	Complete and sign the Application Agreement Form. Also, please complete the Student Information Profile.
2.	Mail two recent photographs of the applicant, along with *a check or money order in the amount of $2600.00 which includes the nonrefundable application fee of $100 and the $2500 tuition deposit payable to: Florida Air Academy, 1950 South Academy Drive, Melbourne, Florida, 32901*. Note: This amount may also be charged. Click here to access a PDF form to print for charging.
3.	Mail a copy of the applicant’s latest report card and any other transcript information that would indicate his academic standing.
4.	Mail two letters of reference, preferably from the applicant’s English and Math teachers.

Notification Of Decision:

After all essential information has been received, the Florida Air Academy Admissions Committee will review the material to determine the candidate’s qualifications for acceptance. Applicants will be promptly notified of the Committee’s decision.

Upon acceptance to the Academy, applicants are mailed a Transition Kit which details the policies of the Academy and includes the necessary forms which must be completed and returned before enrollment.

The Transition Kit for Fall 2007 will be available here soon. This is a 58 page document with 25 forms attached. Students attending the Fall 2007/2008 session will need to complete these forms. This includes returning students and students who are currently enrolled in the summer session.