Morgan for our Schools

Archive for July, 2009

Even if you’re just starting your boarding school research, there’s a good chance you already have an impression of what boarding school is like. This impression might come from books you’ve read, such as “Catcher in the Rye” or “A Separate Peace.” It also might come from movies you’ve watched like “Dead Poet’s Society,” or “School Ties.”

These stories, while entertaining, take place in boarding school settings that are different from what you’d find today. An excerpt from an article about college-preparatory boarding schools in The New York Times summarizes these differences well:

“To generations of students whose syllabuses include J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye,” boarding school represents the winter of their adolescent discontent; a cold, distant place where parents threaten to send their children if they don’t measure up.Parents dropped their children off in September, picked them up again in June and let the schoolmasters worry about what went on in between.

If Holden Caulfield were to return to school for Alumni Day 2001, he would find that the world of proctors and prefects, dorm teas and Mr. Chips has undergone a millennial thaw. Most of the approximately 36,000 students at boarding schools packed their bags willingly and are in daily e-mail contact with mom and dad. The ivy is no longer one shade of green. Students are as likely to room with a real prince of Thailand as with the fresh prince of Bel Air, as the schools reach farther into the public high schools for the majority of their students, making admissions more competitive than ever. The monastic life of formal dinners, daily chapel and cold showers has given way to international theme meals, contemporary ecumenism and interdorm dances.” – Less Austerity, More Diversity at Prep School Today – By VICTORIA GOLDMAN and CATHERINE HAUSMAN, November 12, 2000, New York Times

Just as universities and colleges in the United States have evolved in the past several decades, so have boarding schools. And while the perception of boarding school is changing, there are still some lingering myths that can make you mistakenly think that you wouldn’t fit in at boarding school:

Myth 1: You must be very wealthy to go to boarding school.

Today, approximately a third of all boarding school students receive financial aid. Financial aid grants can represent a significant portion of tuition depending on the school and your family’s situation. Boarding school students now increasingly come from public schools and a wider range of family income-levels. In general, boarding schools do their best to make their programs accessible to your family through financial aid grants, loan programs, and merit awards/scholarships. In the past ten years, the emergence of K-12 private school loans has also made boarding school education more accessible.

Families that send their kids to boarding school today represent a much wider demographic – geographically, socio-economically and ethnically (see “Myth 2″ below). What hasn’t changed is the rigorous academic approach and emphasis on students’ personal growth.

Myth 2: Diversity is rare at boarding school.

More than a quarter of all boarding students are either students of color or international students. Boarding schools are generally more diverse than public schools – they actively seek diversity and draw from many geographic areas whereas local schooling options are dependent on neighborhood living patterns where populations tend to concentrate along ethnic or socio-economic lines. Also, boarding schools create more meaningful opportunities for different students to interact with one another – whether in the dorms, classrooms or playing fields, you’ll always be surrounded by a diverse population that you’ll inevitably get to know throughout the year.

Myth 3: Kids don’t have fun at boarding school.

Curfews and rules will be part of life at any boarding school – no big news here. But depending on your impression of boarding school, you might be surprised to learn that boarding school can also be a lot of fun. If you talk to boarding school students or alumni today, most will tell you the same thing – it’s an environment that’s conducive to making incredible friends and having fun in the process.

Keep in mind that while strong academics are a key focus for boarding schools, they also strive to foster independence in students. Boarding schools give you choices in how you spend your time and what activities to pursue so that you can determine your experience at school and grow as a person, not just academically. This process – of growth in independence, meeting new people and pursuing your interests – is often fun and very rewarding.

Myth 4: Boarding school is for kids who are having trouble at home or school.

There are two types of boarding schools – college-preparatory boarding schools and therapeutic boarding schools. The two are sometimes confused and can cause misperceptions that boarding schools are only for kids who are having trouble at home or school.

College-preparatory boarding schools are geared for motivated students who are looking to explore new opportunities. College-preparatory boarding schools are often ideal choices for students who are already doing generally well at school and at home, but would simply like to find new challenges. These types of boarding schools are not appropriate choices for students with drug, alcohol, or behavioral problems. The key objective of these boarding schools is to prepare students for college through rigorous academics. All the schools profiled in Boarding School Review are exclusively college-preparatory boarding schools.

Therapeutic boarding schools are aimed towards students who are having difficulty at home or in a traditional school setting. While preparing students for college can also be a goal for these schools, these schools are equipped to handle students who are facing challenges such as behavioral / emotional problems, substance abuse, or significant learning differences. Boarding School Review does not list therapeutic boarding schools.

College-preparatory boarding schools and therapeutic boarding schools have different missions and serve different audiences. It’s helpful to know this when looking at schools, and avoid common misperceptions of college-preparatory boarding schools.

Myth 5: It will be hard to keep in touch with my family.

Boarding school students and their families are fortunate in that it’s easier than ever to stay connected. The Internet, in particular, is redefining how boarders and their families communicate. Boarding schools offer Internet access for their students, with most schools having access in each boarding house, and some in each bedroom. While Internet access is regulated for use between certain hours, students can often be in daily contact with their parents. Depending on the school and its policies, cell phones can also be helpful in keeping families connected.

Keep an open-mind about what you think boarding school might be like. The best way to learn about boarding schools is to visit one – you can learn the most about boarding school life by simply being on campus and talking to current students about their experiences.

This is mainly because the standard of education in these schools meets the global standards of world wide consistent education and places the children in the elite lane of academics, career and opportunities.

International schooling can be privately or publicly run. The staff working in international schools is usually chosen from job fairs from whom a fair deal of commitment, dedication and expertise in their subjects is demanded. They need to be specially trained for an international syllabus which is slightly different from ordinary schools. The curriculum is usually based on the country of the school’s origin but keeping in mind international standards other global standards of education are followed like the International Cambridge Certification (IGCSE), the CBSE (Senior Secondary), the All India Secondary School Examinations (AISSCE) or AICE (Advanced International Certificate Of Education). The PYP (Primary Years Program) till Grade 6 and the MYP (Middle Years Program) for Grades 6 to 10 offered by the IB (International Baccalaureate) coach a balanced curriculum in the international schools based on the development of concepts, skills, knowledge, self-enquiry and initiative.

There are several international schools in India. Core subjects like English, Art, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies and Languages are taught in such kind of schools apart from Music, Computer Science, Arts and Crafts. Since there are many students who come from countries where English is not spoken, there are several language options like French, Tamil, English, etc. For students wanting to learn the English language, it is taught through ESL or English as a Second Language. This helps primarily in providing a social, cultural and academic integration of sorts. Creative, Vocational and Technical subjects are also taught apart from extra curricular activities that include physical training and games. Scientific, technological, mathematical, artistic, musical, historical, social, linguistic and cultural approaches are made use of here.

Project based education is another excellent source of international schooling. This makes the course student-based and more interactive. International exchange programs make the process of international schooling interesting and enjoying. This way, students of different nations learn about different countries and expand their knowledge. Apart from this, written tests, student conferences and demonstrations develop the taught, written and learned curriculum preparing the students to compete in the fast changing and advancing world.

The Indian method of learning is more detailed but the international form of education makes learning easy, intelligence and aptitude based and all inclusive. Just enough students are admitted to be able to give individual attention to all. The students are encouraged to learn through enquiry, research, presentation and application in their respective subjects. What stands out here in this form of international schooling is that there is an overall development of children helping them work on their talents and abilities instead of just learning theory based knowledge in academics.

International schooling has become the need of the day for innumerable students wanting to pursue higher studies in globally well acclaimed institutions abroad. As the whole world unites together on common issues and problems, maybe, what we need is a common international form of education that incorporates the good elements of good and efficient schools all over the world.

Publications from The Paragon School of Sporting

http://www.paragonschool.com/publications.html

  Book I — Take Your Best Shot (2nd edition)

Daniel Schindler’s first book, Take Your Best Shot, helps you get organized before and after you step into the shooter’s box. Regardless of skill level, your shot should be planned carefully before calling for the target. To finish a shot properly, it is vital that you start properly.

Using clear, plain language, this book answers your questions about equipment selection; chokes and loads; set-up in the box; strategies; shooting methods and managing your expectations. Written for the novice shooter, each shooting tip is a building block for the more advanced levels of shooting.

Good shooting starts in this very simple, easy-to-read book.

Readers have responded:

After our lesson Saturday I went home & made a page of notes – wondering as I wrote why you had not included these pearls of wisdom in Take Your Best Shot. Later that night I re-read your book & saw every one of them not only listed, but emphasized (maybe except for ‘cheek time’). It’s hard to overstate the added benefit of personal instruction & illustration compared to just reading the book.

Jim Bode

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  Book II — To The Target

Dedicated to the Intermediate to Advanced Shooter

To The Target is, in a way, a map. Using plain language, it cuts through the mystery of shooting and shows you the shortest route to breaking one target after another — from the first field to the last.

Readers have responded:

To The Target is simply the finest literary work on the subject of sporting clays shooting available today. A virtual technical manual on the art and science of shooting sporting clays, it is absolutely essential reading for any serious competitor.

David Arnold, DO Davenport, Iowa

To the Target is full of valuable information directly pertaining to the shotgun sports. An essential part of any shooter’s library, I just wish it had been around when I started.

Andy Duffy, Holder of 8 National Titles

This is going to be the bible for all wingshooters. A stylish, instructional book, To The Target covers all the questions I have been asked by my clients. For the price of 1 round of clays, you will have your answers.

M. Palmer, Owner, Lone Pine Sporting Clays.

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  Audio CD — Beyond the Target:

An Introduction to Mental Training

Beyond The Target, an audio CD, is a perceptive, engaging introduction to the mental side of sporting clays performance. Produced and narrated by Dan Schindler, it provides the listener with a refined understanding of why shooters plateau, and why continued progress in the box and on the score sheet eventually becomes difficult. It offers a fresh, enlightening perspective on why our performance in the box is so dramatically affected by our thinking, beliefs, perceptions and concentration. The encouraging dialogue answers many of the key questions we’ve been asking ourselves before we step in, and after we step out of the shooting box. Delivering more than just suggestions and information, the author’s inspiring messages stay with the listener long after narration ends.

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For More Information, Please Contact Us At:

The Paragon School of Sporting

P. O. Box 1276

Flat Rock, NC 28731

Tel: (828) 693-6600

E-Mail: paragonschool@aol.com

Web: http://www.paragonschool.com

Online Ordering: http://www.paragonschool.com/catalog