Potential boarding schools should be visited to determine if students, faculty, and staff seem happy. While visiting, observe classes, activities, and how students move between classes. Important things to check are the quality of supervision, dorm room policies, dietary restrictions, academic and extracurricular course offerings, religious observances, and medical emergency procedures. Asking questions is crucial to fully understand if a school can meet a student's needs.

1. What Should I Be Looking For While Visiting A Potential Boarding School?

2. INTRODUCTION
It goes without saying that you need to visit any school to which you are thinking of sending your child.
You and your child need to set foot on each campus on your short list, scope each one out and use your own judgment about whether your child will be happy there.
Here is a list of things to look for and questions to ask when visiting your list of potential schools.
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3. Things to Look For and Check Out

4. The first thing to look for would be –
“Do the faculty, staff, and students look happy
in their environment?”
When on campus, spend time just observing. You will want and need to be talking to students and admissions staff, but do take time to just "hang out." Watch students change classes, observe an activity such as a gym class or sporting event, casually walk around campus.
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THE PEOPLE

5. QUALITY OF SUPERVISION
Codes of Conduct and 24/7 Supervision within the school grounds may strike your child as excessive.
Have a discussion with him to ensure sure he understands the rules and boundaries. If he breaks those rules, depending on the seriousness of the infraction, he risks being asked to withdraw from school.
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6. DORM ROOMS
Given that your child will spend several hours a day studying in their dorm room, be sure to review what can and cannot be brought into the room.
The school will have lists of things they will not allow - hot plates, microwaves, mini fridges, etc. – but make certain to ask for regulations on questionable items.
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7. MEALS
Allergies? Gluten-free? Lactose intolerant? Vegan? Other dietary restrictions/requirements?
All need to be discussed and clearly understood to ensure the safety of your child.
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8. Questions
to Ask

9. DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC ACADEMIC COURSES?
Hopefully, the schools that you are visiting earned a place on your short list because they have most of the things you looked for in your search. When you visit, ask about the courses you really want your child to take. Sometimes these specialized courses will not be taught depending on staffing and scheduling issues. This question is particularly relevant if your child already demonstrates above-average interest and competence in a specific subject.
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10. Extracurricular activities are not frills or even extras.
They are aspects of school life that emphasize teamwork, character development and socialization that all contribute to your child's development. Make sure that the activities that he knows and loves are a part of a school's program.
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DO THEY HAVE SPECIFIC ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
AND ACTIVITIES?

11. Many boarding schools are non-denominational, but some others may focus on a particular faith. If your family is not particularly religious and you are considering a religiously affiliated school, make sure you are comfortable with any mandatory religious services or courses.
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WHAT ABOUT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES?

12. WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL EMERGENCIES?
Is there trained/qualified staff on duty 24/7? How close is the nearest hospital? Make sure that you know how emergencies will be handled if you live far away from the school.
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13. To Schedule A Visit:
Visit Us at: grandriver.org
Call Us: 440.275.2811
Sources: http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/articles/87
http://www.thefamilyschool.com/parent-resources/parent-resources/how-do-i-decide-the-best-school-for-my-child/?back=Parent_Resources