<p>A few days ago, I was talking to a friend of mine about school starting. I had told her previously that I was looking into boarding school. Apparently she thought I was joking when I said that, because she couldn't actually believe that I was going to boarding school. I've noticed a distinct difference in the way my European friends have reacted (That great!) and the way my American friends have reacted (Seriously? What did you do wrong?). I was just wondering why the American perspective on boarding school is the way it is. I know the people on here are pro-boarding school, but why are so many against it?</p>
<p>LOL probably from weird movies that are just like “boarding schools for BADDD kids!” hahaha. idk :D</p>
<p>I live in the UK and I had very similar reactions. Mosy people were asking me why i would want to live in a different continent away from my parents. They didn’t really get the whole incredible academics/sports/opportunities thing</p>
<p>That’s because in the US it’s thought to be a “reform school” or the result of bad parenting. I got the same reaction decades ago when I chose to go to Exeter. My D had a teacher who announced to the class that she was going to BS because her parents didn’t love her any more. She’s having the last laugh at BS, and all her friends and teachers are not envious at the opportunities she’s exposed to. </p>
<p>Go for it and don’t look back.</p>
<p>Someone recently asked me, “Is he going to go to a school where the children sleep at school?”</p>
<p>I was a little slow on the uptake. “Um, he’ll attend a boarding school.”</p>
<p>“I try not to say that word.”</p>
<p>Many people do have a negative image of boarding schools, associating them with “reform school,” as Exie wrote. It’s just funny to encounter the bias in New England.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Oh goodness, my reply would have been: “Well, it beats a school where the children sleep in class!”</p>
<p>There’s actually an entire [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1124520-negative-reactions-regarding-child-attending-bs.html]thread[/url”>Negative reactions regarding child attending BS - Prep School Parents - College Confidential Forums]thread[/url</a>] on this topic in the parents’ forum.</p>
<p>Maybe because of military school…? Or what they watch on TV…</p>