Featured: Published October 30, 2008
Boarding schools have their own jargon just like any activity or affinity group has. Here are some of the more common terms you are likely to encounter as you explore boarding schools.
AD/ADHD
AD and ADHD are really the same thing: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If your child exhibits any signs of ADHD, you should have him evaluated thoroughly. The syndrome is treatable.
AD and ADHD are really the same thing: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. If your child exhibits any signs of ADHD, you should have him evaluated thoroughly. The syndrome is treatable.
ACT
ACT is an acronym for American College Testing program. ACT and the SAT are the two most common college standardized tests of academic readiness for college level studies.
ACT is an acronym for American College Testing program. ACT and the SAT are the two most common college standardized tests of academic readiness for college level studies.
Crew
Crew is the ancient sport of rowing. Rowing in shells is very popular in many boarding schools. Crew is offered in the fall and spring. Schools participate in regional and international competitions called regattas. Events like The Head of the Charles and Henley draw rowers from all over the world.
Dorm Master
If the term sounds a bit scary, it is actually quite the opposite. A dorm master is a teacher who is in charge of and supervises a residential house of boarding school students. He or she in many ways becomes a surrogate parent providing stability and guidance for the mercurial adolescents in his care.
Crew is the ancient sport of rowing. Rowing in shells is very popular in many boarding schools. Crew is offered in the fall and spring. Schools participate in regional and international competitions called regattas. Events like The Head of the Charles and Henley draw rowers from all over the world.
Dorm Master
If the term sounds a bit scary, it is actually quite the opposite. A dorm master is a teacher who is in charge of and supervises a residential house of boarding school students. He or she in many ways becomes a surrogate parent providing stability and guidance for the mercurial adolescents in his care.
ESL
ESL is an acronym for English as a Second Language. When a student whose mother tongue is Spanish, for example, learns English, he has to approach it differently than the student whose mother tongue is English. ESL teachers are highly skilled, certificated professionals who understand what students need to learn English.
ESL is an acronym for English as a Second Language. When a student whose mother tongue is Spanish, for example, learns English, he has to approach it differently than the student whose mother tongue is English. ESL teachers are highly skilled, certificated professionals who understand what students need to learn English.
Fieldhouse
A fieldhouse is a term which describes an indoor sports arena where basketball, ice hockey and other indoor sports are held. The fieldhouses and other athletic facilities at many boarding schools rival those found at many colleges and universities. Boarding schools take sports very seriously and set aside Wednesday afternoons and all day Saturday for sports as a rule.
Form
Form is another word for grade. It derives from the British 'public' or private secondary schools. Form I is seventh grade. Form VI is twelth grade and so on. You will come across the term in older American boarding schools.
Headmaster
Headmaster or the head teacher is a British term for a high school principal or chief administrator of a high school. It is commonly used in older, more traditional schools.
House
House is another British term which has immigrated to American boarding schools. It describes a physical grouping of students in a residential or boarding facility. It is the essence of the boarding school ethos as it is houses which provide the structure and social framework within which adolescents interact, compete and enjoy a range of social activities.
IB
IB is an acronym for International Baccalaureate. This is a curriculum which is used at a couple of dozen American boarding schools. You will find the core curricula at most schools focussed on the AP or Advanced Placement courses.
ISEE
ISEE or Independent Schools Entrance Examination is a standardized admissions test used by many boarding schools.
ISL
The ISL or Independent School League is a group of 16 New England schools who compete in various sports.
LD
LD or Learning Disability is a term which describes the difference in the way a person's senses and brain process information.
A fieldhouse is a term which describes an indoor sports arena where basketball, ice hockey and other indoor sports are held. The fieldhouses and other athletic facilities at many boarding schools rival those found at many colleges and universities. Boarding schools take sports very seriously and set aside Wednesday afternoons and all day Saturday for sports as a rule.
Form
Form is another word for grade. It derives from the British 'public' or private secondary schools. Form I is seventh grade. Form VI is twelth grade and so on. You will come across the term in older American boarding schools.
Headmaster
Headmaster or the head teacher is a British term for a high school principal or chief administrator of a high school. It is commonly used in older, more traditional schools.
House
House is another British term which has immigrated to American boarding schools. It describes a physical grouping of students in a residential or boarding facility. It is the essence of the boarding school ethos as it is houses which provide the structure and social framework within which adolescents interact, compete and enjoy a range of social activities.
IB
IB is an acronym for International Baccalaureate. This is a curriculum which is used at a couple of dozen American boarding schools. You will find the core curricula at most schools focussed on the AP or Advanced Placement courses.
ISEE
ISEE or Independent Schools Entrance Examination is a standardized admissions test used by many boarding schools.
ISL
The ISL or Independent School League is a group of 16 New England schools who compete in various sports.
LD
LD or Learning Disability is a term which describes the difference in the way a person's senses and brain process information.
Master
A master is a teacher. The word takes its roots from the Latin magister which means teacher. The term is commonly used in older, more traditional boarding schools
NAIS
NAIS or The National Association of Independent Schools is a national organization which provides a wealth of data and support for its 1500 member schools. It also lobbies for private schools in the various Washington, DC, fora and legislative chambers.
A master is a teacher. The word takes its roots from the Latin magister which means teacher. The term is commonly used in older, more traditional boarding schools
NAIS
NAIS or The National Association of Independent Schools is a national organization which provides a wealth of data and support for its 1500 member schools. It also lobbies for private schools in the various Washington, DC, fora and legislative chambers.
PG
The PG or Post Graduate Year is a gap year students often take before going to college.
The PG or Post Graduate Year is a gap year students often take before going to college.
Prep
Prep is short for preparatory. You will frequently see a school styled So-and-so Preparatory School. The term comes from the mission of schools which are devoted to preparing their students for the rigorous academic work to be encountered at the college level. In the U.S. it refers to K-12 schools with a college preparatory curriculum.
SSAT
The SSAT or Secondary Schools Admissions Test is the most widely used standardized admissions test.
Prep is short for preparatory. You will frequently see a school styled So-and-so Preparatory School. The term comes from the mission of schools which are devoted to preparing their students for the rigorous academic work to be encountered at the college level. In the U.S. it refers to K-12 schools with a college preparatory curriculum.
SSAT
The SSAT or Secondary Schools Admissions Test is the most widely used standardized admissions test.
TOEFL
TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is a test of English language proficiency administered by the Educational Testing Service.
TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is a test of English language proficiency administered by the Educational Testing Service.
Uni
Uni is boarding school slang for 'uniform'. Uniforms and dress codes are an integral part of boarding school culture.
Uni is boarding school slang for 'uniform'. Uniforms and dress codes are an integral part of boarding school culture.
- Why Boarding School?
Is boarding school right for you? Boarding schools offer a wealth of experiences in both learning and living which will do you well in later life. - Top 10 Reasons to Go to Boarding School
There are many reasons to go to boarding school. The academics, the athletics and the extracurricular activities are just a few considerations. - Boarding School DO's and DON'TS
Here are some considerations to ponder whilst choosing schools and when your child is actually away at school. - Boarding School Myths
Read about common boarding school myths in case your perception of boarding school is driven largely by popular movies and urban legend. - Boarding School Pictures
What does boarding school life look like? View photos from a variety of boarding schools and see if you can also picture yourself there. - Dr. Hank Nuwer on Hazing
We asked Dr. Hank Nuwer,a nationally recognized authority on the subject of hazing, to weigh in with his views. - International Students: Boarding School Benefits
Boarding school is appealling to both U.S. and international students. Learn why boarding school is a popular option for international students around the world. - Summer Boarding School Programs
Learn several key reasons why a summer boarding school program can be beneficial for your child. - Types of Boarding School
Explore the different types of boarding school options in the US. Find which type of boarding school is most appropriate for you. - Understanding Financial Aid
Learn how financial aid works in boarding schools. - Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year
Learn about the Post-Graduate(PG) Year, and how it can benefit certain students. - When Should I Go Off to Boarding School?
When should you go off to boarding school? It depends. Most students enter prep school in 10th grade. But you have choices. - Why Do a Gap or Post-Graduate (PG) Year?
Learn why more and more students are choosing to do a gap or post graduate (PG) year at boarding school. - Schools for Students with Learning Disabilities
How to deal with a child who has a learning disability. - 5 Common Myths About Military Schools
Military schools seem to go in and out of favor with the general public. Perhaps that has to do with some rather common misconceptions about what military schools are and how they operate. Let's take a look. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Boys' School
We have been hearing a lot about the benefits of single sex education recently. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing a boys' school for your son. - 5 Reasons To Choose a Girls' School
There is a body of research which suggests that girls do learn differently from boys. So, if that is the case, maybe you should consider a girls' school for your daughter instead of sending her off to a coed school. Here are some points to ponder. - 5 Reasons to Choose a Junior Boarding School
A junior boarding school offers certain distinct advantages for the middle school aged student. Here are five reasons why you should consider choosing this option for your child. - 5 Steps for Choosing a Boarding School
Choosing a boarding school involves several steps. We guide you through the process and offer advice and help. - Benefits of a Small Boarding School
Learn about the benefits of a small boarding school. - Considering a U.S. Arts Program?
"If the arts are part of your interests and your passion, you should research each school’s available offerings. Spend time reading the school’s literature and visiting its website..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Girls' School Graduates Have an Edge
Exciting new research shows that a girls' boarding school can offer your daughter many advantages. - How to Apply to Boarding School
There are several ways to apply to boarding school. - I Can't Find Any Rankings!
This cry is heard throughout the land as parents try desperately to compare one boarding school against another. - Looking at Schools
"Do you like large schools or small schools? Are you most comfortable in a city, small town or countryside? Are you interested in attending a school that has a religious or military orientation? Would you like to attend a school that is only for boys or girls? These are some questions you must ask yourself before you begin your search for the right U.S. boarding school for you..." Brought to you by Boarding Schools in the USA - Quaker Education: What’s Different about a Friends School?
Learn about the benefits of attending a Quaker boarding school. - Using an Educational Consultant
An education consultant knows schools. Like any professional he has vast experience in and knowledge of his chosen field. - What About Canadian Schools?
Canadian boarding schools have a lot going for them. Great value, location in a foreign but friendly neighboring country, English speaking, fine academics, all kinds of sporting activities besides hockey and skiing and much more. - Why a Progressive School?
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is, that is, until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody. - Teaching in a Boarding School
Teaching or working in a boarding school is quite unlike any job in a day school.
