After much self-searching, discussion with your partner, educators and other professionals, and as much investigation as possible, you have finally decided to send your child to a Utah therapeutic boarding school. However, several misconceptions about boarding school might make you hesitate to take that final step. Utah schools offers several advantages for guardians who want to send their children there. The following tips can clarify your perspective about boarding school.

1. Your child will enjoy his or her boarding school experience.

Along with the wide-open spaces, fresh air and beautifully Utah scenery, your child will be able to form new friendships with other teens from near and far. While there are rules and curfews in place, he or she will still have fun during the time they spend at the therapeutic boarding school. One of the main goals of boarding school is to teach your child independence, practical goal setting, time management skills and putting priorities in order. The structured environment helps teens successfully accomplish these tasks as they enjoy their new academic setting and spend time getting to know other adolescents.

2. Your child will be able to maintain regular contact with you.

Thanks to electronic communication and the Internet, it’s easier than ever to keep in touch with your child who is at boarding school. The use of smart phones, texts, emails and social media all help your child stay close to loved ones. While the treatment plan at a therapeutic boarding school might mean that your child does not have unlimited access to the Internet, he or she will still be able to keep in contact with you. If you can personally visit a boarding school, you will have a better idea about the facility. You can talk to both staff members and students to find out their thoughts and perspectives.

3. Your family might be eligible for financial aid.

An estimated one-third of students at a therapeutic boarding school receive financial help in the form of grants and other types of aid. Depending on your personal situation, your child could be eligible for a large percentage of aid to help with tuition. Loans and merit awards offer other sources for financial assistance.

4. Therapeutic boarding school will focus on your child’s educational needs along with behavioral, emotional, social and personal needs.

The main emphasis of a therapeutic boarding school is to help your child achieve his or her academic goals while working on behavioral issues that prevent him or her from leading a successful life. The schools maintain strict standards while looking at personal issues that could keep your child from academic success. The administration and faculty understand the struggles that you student faces that have prevented him or her from succeeding in a traditional setting. They combine a strong academic program with the tools, such as individual counseling and substance abuse treatment, that might have been lacking in other academic experiences.

5. The diversity at boarding school expands your child’s horizons, giving him or her much needed access to and interaction with students from other countries and cultures.

Boarding schools usually seek out students from a wide range of locations in order to broaden their diversity and the cultural experiences for students. They also encourage students to engage and interact with others in classrooms, housing and in sports. Students can get to know each other is these settings and connect with those from other cultures.