Christian Boarding Schools

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A survey of over 23,200 private schools in 2001 found that 84% had a religious affiliation. The majority were Roman Catholic. Today the fastest growing segment in private education is the category of "Christian schools."

Christian boarding schools are not necessarily affiliated with a certain denomination or church, although their basis is Christianity. Most require students to attend daily Bible study groups and religion classes, and Sunday church services. Instructors may teach from a Christian/Biblical perspective. For example, a biology teacher may present creation theory rather than or along with the theory of evolution. A literature teacher may use the Song of Solomon as an example of poetry. The thrust of the child's education is not only to master facts and theories, but also moral and religious teachings and values.

Some of the new emphasis on Christian education is a email data to what many parents do not like in modern culture. They want their children to grow up in a wholesome atmosphere, away from the influences of hip-hop culture, vulgar celebrity life, tasteless fashions, violent video games, and inappropriate movies and television shows. They want to shield them from the increasing acceptance of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse. They are reacting to what they do not like in public schools, such as liberal teachers forcing their views on students, and textbooks, classes and curricula biased against their Christian beliefs.

PROS
Nearly all private schools offer small class sizes and more individual attention.

Your children will be with parents and adults who share your values and beliefs.

When an entire group is not allowed to do something like play violent video games, the rule is easy to enforce. It is harder if you are the only parent in town with that rule.

CONS
Many child psychologists believe that you should not isolate a child from the vulgarities of modern culture, but teach him to deal with it and make wise choices.

Some of these boarding schools are very expensive but yet they do not offer top-notch academics, sports programs, and opportunities for exploring new interests, etc.

If your child is not living with you, you lose the chance to talk things over and instill your values yourself. Your child may experience a sense of loss of family and friends as well as homesickness when he or she is away at boarding school.