Teen Boarding School Help

When the time comes to pick a boarding school for your son or daughter, you want the very best possible learning environment for your child. A lot of things go into what makes a great boarding school including quality of education, reputation, costs and how well the school will prepare their students for college. You will also have the option to go with an all boy's boarding school, an all girl's school or a coed school. There are many outstanding institutions that fit all of these categories.

While there are advantages to a single gender boarding school, many experts have observed that the educational environment in a coed institution can actually be enhanced by the presence of boys and girls in the classroom. This is especially true in the teen years because a well run coed boarding school can channel the natural interest in the opposite sex into healthy activities such as sports.

The west coast is privileged to have some of the best coed boarding schools in the country. There are a number of great online resources you can use to research west coast boarding schools. They include http://www.schools.com/, http://www.aisne.org/, and http://www.nais.org/. Below are just a few of the great boarding schools on the west coast that you have to choose from.

THINK Global School

The THINK Global School is located in San Francisco, California. The innovative name of THINK Global School reflects their approach to education. This coed boarding school strives in everything they do to toss out the window the status quo, stereotypes or perceived notions about education. Your teenager will truly get a global education at THINK Global School because students at this coed boarding school are given the chance to study in three international cities each year.

The THINK Global school has the flexibility to teach and learn in unconventional places and take advantage of all the opportunities each host city offers. As such the THINK Global school is truly an 21st century educational experience that even has its own educational social networking program that will allow students to stay connected to their classmates, teachers, friends, family as well as inner-city classrooms around the world.

Southwestern Academy

Southwestern Academy is located in San Marino, California. Southwestern Academy is an independent, non-profit coed boarding school that combines a rigorous curriculum prepares students for college with a supportive, caring community makes every student feel included. The dedicated faculty at Southwestern Academy inspires students because they have the advantage of small class sizes which allows for ample personal attention for each student. In addition, the international nature of the student body naturally fosters multi-cultural understanding and friendships.

Verde Valley School

Verde Valley School is located near Sedona, Arizona. Verde Valley School is an accredited IB School. That means that graduates attend the most selective colleges and universities in the U.S. and throughout the world. All students in grades 11 and 12 take IB classes at VVS. But along with a top caliber academic record, this coed boarding school boasts a world-class outdoor program that includes including rock climbing, mountain biking, English and Western horseback riding, hiking and camping as well as a fine and performing arts program long known to be among the best in U.S. boarding schools.

Because of the well developed curriculum and a very strong faculty (nearly 60% have advanced degrees), students build strong academic skills, discover their individual talents, experience diverse cultures, and form life-long friendships with teachers and peers.

Midland School

The Midland School is located in Los Olivos, California. This coed boarding school is one of the finest on the west coast because their college preparatory academic program is rigorous, and the lifestyle challenging and invigorating. The midland school is situated in a rural community on 3,000 acres that lives together by the tenets of self-reliance, student leadership, and closeness to nature. Graduates understand and appreciate that hard work and study enhance their quality of life. Students experience the land through horse riding, organic gardening, hiking, camping, and outdoor education at Midland.

Because the operating philosophy of Midland School is doing more with less, the school operates by intention out of redwood classrooms and cabins, an intentional and profound educational philosophy, and a belief that students, and adults, benefit greatly by living close to nature. Midland teaches their students to strive for the values of independence, interdependence, and stewardship of the land. Midland seeks to reverse the negative trends in society of excess and materialism.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy

The Hawaii Preparatory Academy is located in Kamuela, Hawaii. The Hawaii Preparatory Academy is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of 12 educational organizations including the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, College Entrance Examination Board, Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Cum Laude Society, National Association of College Admission Counselors, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and National Association of Independent Schools.

The Hawaii Preparatory Academy features many unique courses and activities including programs in marine science field studies, sea turtle research, scuba certification, and more. As a result students in this outstanding coed boarding school develop an appreciation for Hawaii's geographical setting as well as a strong sense of Hawaii and its culture. Offerings at Hawaii Preparatory Academy include programs in the visual and performing arts as well as a successful Upper School interscholastic athletic program that stresses school-wide participation and teaches the values of sportsmanship and fair play.