Boarding Schools with Religious Affiliations
Nearly all private schools have religious affiliations. However, they vary in the degree of their emphasis on religious and moral training.
For example, an Episcopal clergyman founded Groton School, which is today one of America's most famous and prestigious boarding schools. Although Groton still offers morning chapel four times a week and requires attendance at religious services, the school now admits students of all religions, and offers services and clubs for Buddhists, Muslims, Jewish students, and so forth.
There are boarding schools for non-denominational Christians, Quakers, Conservative, Reform or Orthodox Jews, Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Muslims, and other religious affiliations. Many of these schools, like Groton, admit students of other faiths. Some of them infuse religion into every aspect of their programs, extra-curricular activities, and classrooms, but others are surprisingly secular, considering their history.
Some therapeutic boarding schools are affiliated with a religion. The majority are not, although many use spiritually based programs such as 12-Step support groups to treat substance abuse and addictions. Students may attend off-campus services at local churches and synagogues.
PROS
Religious schools are private institutions. Private schools often do a better job of educating students than public schools.
Adolescence is a time when young people form identities. Religion can be a part of that process of finding out the answers to questions like "Who am I?" and "Why am I here?"
Moral teachings become easier and more logical when they have a religious basis.
Some parents want their children to make friendships within their faith until they are old enough not to be overly influenced by their peers.
CONS
If your child is not a member of the church that dominates the school, he may feel left out or pressured to join.
There is less diversity in a religious or parochial school, sometimes among its teachers.
Class discussions may be less open to different points of view.
A boarding school that is not affiliated with your faith may nonetheless provide a better education or be a better match for your child's individual needs.
Research:
Adventist Boarding Schools
Anglican Boarding Schools
Baptist Boarding Schools
Catholic Boarding Schools
Christian Boarding Schools
Christian Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Episcopal Boarding Schools
Jewish Boarding Schools
Lutheran Boarding Schools
Methodist Boarding Schools
Presbyterian Boarding Schools
Quaker Boarding Schools
