My school has a petty theft problem!

<p>I am pretty sure PA-C son goes to Exeter.</p>

<p>Here is the perspective from goaliegirl’s situation.</p>

<p>Her first 2 years at her school, she was in the dorm where all freshman girls stay and a few sophomores (mostly there to model behavior for the frosh). During the first term each year, there were some petty thefts (food and other small stuff). Some of it was girls who planned poorly and didn’t have what they “needed” at the time. One case was a girl who took things as a sort of dominance thing. This one took a bit of work to resolve and the girl ultimately was asked not to return (for other issues). Girls were required to lock their doors at all times.</p>

<p>Her last 2 years, goaliegirl has been in a dorm that was predominantly Seniors and PG’s. Very different situation. To give you an idea, when we stopped back at her dorm during a hockey tournament in the region, all of the room doors inside the house were unlocked. There is complete trust in the house (19 girls). </p>

<p>Same school, several of the same girls. It takes time, but one of the great parts of boarding school is that relationships like these can be built. There are occasional issues in the house (none of the theft type), but they are resolved within the house and the girls genuinely get along very well together.</p>

<p>Much credit is given to the house parents in the dorms who tend to be the “career” employees of the school. In our experience, they have done an excellent job of selecting wonderful adults to work with the young ladies who grow up in their homes.</p>

<p>With this I can tell you that when you hear about “theft” at a boarding school, generally it is about other personal issues that the young people at these places are working through. How it is addressed is a great question for parents who go to interview. While some may feel uncomfortable bringing up such a petty negative thing, how those “little” things are managed tell you about the school’s hands on approach to the parenting they do.</p>