Boarding School Options

Is boarding school in your child's future?  It is not uncommon for a Foreign Service family to choose boarding school as an educational option for their teenager. The Family Liaison Office's Education and Youth Officer can assist you with boarding school choices and placements.  FLO develops contacts with numerous boarding schools in the United States and Europe and visits a variety of schools --  junior boarding schools, all-boys, all-girls, co-ed, post graduate, special needs schools, and emotional growth programs.  While websites and viewbooks are helpful, it takes an on-campus visit with students, faculty, and administrators to get a true feel for what makes each boarding school unique.

It is vital that the school be the right fit for the student and the student's needs. Fortunately, there is a school for everyone!  The huge range of schooling opportunities that exist for students seeking a private boarding school education is exciting and inspiring. If boarding school is in your child's future, then please contact our office at FLOAskEducation@state.gov.  We can help with everything from developing a list of possible schools to helping see the student through the admission application.

• The Boarding School Option - a paper reviewing Department of State resources, making the boarding school decision, factors to consider when choosing a school, the application process, and an explanation (FAQs) of the "away from post" education allowance.
• Educaton Options for Foreign Service Families: Chapter 8 - Boarding Schools: Making the Choice
  (Advantages of a Boarding School Education, Disadvantages of a Boarding School Education, At Home or Abroad?, Advantages of Boarding schools Abroad, Advantages of Boarding Schools in the United States, Choosing a Boarding School, Matching the Boarding School to the Child, Special Logistical Support)
• Boarding School for Children with Special Needs
• Suggested Questions for Parents to Ask When Doing a Boarding School Search
• Boarding School: The Right Choice for Me - an essay written by a Foreign Service student on her experience in boarding school.
• Parent Advocacy: How Boarding Schools Can Assist Foreign Service Students
• Parent Advocacy: Talking to Boarding School Personnel

Important Note: The Department of State requests that children of U.S. Foreign Service employees who attend a boarding school outside of the United States register with the American Embassy/Consulate in that country.

Suggested Links for Researching Schools

• The American Foreign Service Association's Schools at a Glance
• The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
• The Association of Small Boarding Schools 
• Boarding School Review
• Vincent Curtis Guide to Private Schools and Summer Programs
• Petersons Guide to Boarding Schools for Younger Children
• Junior Boarding Schools Association (children grades 1 - 9)
• Western Boarding Schools Association
• Midwest Boarding Schools Online 
• Southeastern Association of Boarding Schools 
• Catholic Boarding Schools Association
• Boarding schools in the United Kingdom
• United Kingdom boarding schools
• National Association of Private Special Education Centers

Admissions Testing

• The Secondary School Admission Test - Offered by the Educational Testing Service. It consists of two parts: a brief essay, and a multiple-choice aptitude test which measures a student's ability to solve mathematics problems, to use language, and to comprehend what is read. The SSAT is frequently required for admission to boarding and other independent schools.

Department of State Offices

• Family Liaison Office - for contact with the Education and Youth Officer.
• Employee Consultation Service - for information about appropriate special needs facilities and approval for additional funding to meet the educational needs of children with special needs.
• Office of Allowances - for information on the "away from post" education allowance.

• Assignment Overseas: Overseas Schools
• Assignment Washington: U.S. Public and Private Schools
• Boarding School Options
  • The Boarding School Option (paper) 
• Homeschooling and Online Education
• Summer Camp Resources
• Education Allowances
• Homework Helpers

Information provided by the Family Liaison Office
Contact the Family Liaison Office