The Foreign Service Journal, December 2020

82 DECEMBER 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT port, the international schools weren’t very flexible and didn’t have that. But at [boarding school], our child had great support and really thrived.” In an exhaustive study of boarding school students, graduates and their parents, TABS found boarding school students spent twice as much time out- side of class with teachers and coaches than did students in public schools. Not surprisingly, 87 percent of boarding school alumni report being “very well prepared” for college. Accessing Boarding Schools TABS maintains a comprehensive website of member North American boarding schools to assist students and parents in navigating their options. Individual boarding schools have well- staffed admissions offices expert in responding to family inquiries and hosting families on campus or virtu- ally. Admissions officers typically travel extensively, both domestically and internationally, to visit PK-8 schools, meet with educational consultants and attend school fairs. They are also adept at hosting virtual open houses and other virtual events for families that cannot visit campus. The Department of State also offers excellent support to its families. If you are considering boarding school for your child, contact the Family Liaison Office’s Education and Youth Team. For information, email FLOAskEducation@ state.gov or visit FLO’s website at state. gov/m/dghr/flo. n An international student office, or a dean charged with the boarding student experience, is decisive in creating andmaintaining programs that are important to a boarder.