Education isn’t just about attending regular classes; it’s also about exploring opportunities that can transform your learning journey and broaden your horizons. With the competitive nature of the college application process these days, many students are looking for ways to augment their educational journey, both to enhance themselves as an applicant to colleges and also to discover more about themselves and their interests to help them forge their path once they are in college.
Is your student looking for some ways to enhance their education? Read on to learn more about what some of their options are.
1. Boarding School
Choosing a boarding school can provide a unique educational experience. It’s an opportunity to live independently, develop self-discipline, and engage in a rigorous academic environment. Some students attend boarding school to access classes they can’t take in traditional public schools or local day schools. Others are looking to enhance their extracurricular endeavors (whether in sports or fine arts) and seek out schools that offer the opportunity to pursue these options at a higher level.
All students who attend boarding schools engage with students from around the country and the world and can begin to expose themselves to many differing viewpoints. Because of their living/learning arrangements, boarding schools are close-knit communities that foster personal growth.
Most people are under the impression that you must start boarding school in 9th grade. That isn’t always true – many students decide they want to make a change after freshman year, so 10th grade is another entry point for many boarding school students. Although a smaller pool, some students even go as juniors or seniors.
Many schools offer a Post Graduate (PG) year for students who have already graduated from high school. A PG year can provide a softer landing for students who want additional academic growth, independence, and/or to develop their extracurricular talents.
2. Semester Schools/Study Abroad:
A semester school can offer a student a unique learning environment. Many of these schools provide immersive, hands-on experiences that differ from traditional classrooms. Whether passionate about environmental conservation, the arts, or language immersion, semester schools allow you to dive deep into your interests while progressing with your typical educational credits. When attending a semester school, you will still be enrolled as a student at your home school, and you will return there once you complete your semester experience.
Studying abroad in high school is an excellent way to develop cultural awareness, language skills, and a global perspective. You’ll step out of your comfort zone, adapt to new surroundings, and gain a broader understanding of the world. Exchange programs can be life-changing, allowing you to connect with peers from different cultures. Studying abroad can be for one semester, a whole year, or even over the summer, and at the end of the experience, you will return to your home school to complete high school.
Many of these programs are for high school sophomores and juniors, but it is important to begin exploring early as applications are submitted up to a year in advance.
3. Summer Programs:
Not ready to commit to being away for a semester, a year, or 3-4 years (in the case of boarding school)? Summer programs are short, intensive sessions that let you explore a subject you’re passionate about, develop new skills, or push yourself physically and mentally and find a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. Explore immersive foreign language opportunities, develop leadership skills, enhance art skills, attend traditional academic classes in a summer camp setting, and have wilderness adventures meant to push you – summer programs provide students with growth and reflection opportunities.
4. Gap Year Adventures:
Are you getting ready to graduate from high school but looking for a step in between? Taking a gap year after high school graduation can be a transformative experience – whether you travel the world, volunteer, intern, or work, a gap year allows you to gain real-world experiences, develop maturity, and clarify your future goals. One study found that 60% of gap-year participants took their education more seriously after arriving on campus, and 23% got better grades than those who went straight to college. Further, 88% of students have higher than average job satisfaction after college.
Making sure your gap year is successful, productive, and meaningful requires planning. It would be best to plan for your gap year, but you should also know what comes after it. Are you going to go ahead and accept at a college and defer? Are you going to apply to additional schools while in your gap year? What do you intend to do during your gap to make your time spent worthwhile?
Are you and your student interested in learning more about your options?
Join Garrett Educational Consulting on September 26 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. for their school fair, Boarding School 360. Meet representatives from over 40 top boarding schools to learn more about your student’s high school options.
NEW THIS YEAR – Meet with representatives from summer programs, semester schools, study abroad, and gap year programs and begin exploring your students’ options for enhancing their educational experience in high school and beyond.
Click HERE for more information about attending programs and registering for this free event.
1-What career is right for me? | ASVAB Career Exploration Program. (n.d.). https://www.asvabprogram.com/media-center-article/190
Garrett Educational Consulting
Garrett Educational Consulting provides comprehensive application support to students going through the college admissions and boarding school admission process. Learn more about their services by clicking HERE.
425-A S. Sharon Amity Road | Charlotte, NC 28211
980.677.0311
info@garretteducationalconsulting.com
