Junior boarding schools occupy a quiet niche in the boarding school spectrum.  As the moniker divulges, these schools educate younger students- usually grades 5-9 – in a boarding school environment.  Like their brethren working with older students, each boarding school brings a unique setting and perspective to education.  Environments and programs for all types of students are available- boys schools, girls schools, learning differences, smaller, larger.  As with upper schools, families and students can find the school environment that best supports each individual student.

Now, on to the initial reactions of many folks when they first learn of junior schools, ‘why would anyone do that?”  “How can you send such a young child away from home?”  The answer- it’s a good decision if the junior school  presents the best or a great way for the younger student to go to school.  In general terms, junior schools present great opportunities for students of busy families.  Boarding school with it’s routines and regular schedule can become a comfortable environment.  Some students might thrive in a junior boarding school’s learning differences program and some kids just do well by feeling independent in boarding school.

There’s no denying that, no matter how much thought and consideration a family puts into their decision, sending a child to a junior boarding school takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice.

Many junior boarding schools offer summer programs combining academic work and recreation.  These offer great opportunities to test drive the junior boarding experience.

Junior boarding schools clearly aren’t for everyone, but they provide great opportunities for kids who need their perspectives or will do well by their environments.

Visit our section on Junior Boarding Schools or the Junior Boarding School Association’s site to learn more about junior schools.

The google map below plots their locations: