How do I find the right school for my child? 

While all member schools are committed to educating students for the rigors of college and adult life, each school in MWBS has its own distinctive program and culture. Midwest Boarding Schools work together to help parents identify the program or programs capable of meeting their child's needs and interests. If another member school would be a better fit for your child, we will happily put you in touch with the right person.

Every child has different needs and interests as well, and it is therefore essential that a family pursuing a boarding-school education spend time determining what these needs and interests are. The following questions may help you in this process:

• Does your child perform better in a structured environment or does he or she thrive when offered more independence?

• Would your child feel more comfortable in a single-sex or coed school?

• Would your child benefit from a more challenging academic program, or is remedial help needed in certain areas?

• Are you looking for a school that will benefit your child's personal growth by providing religious instruction? a military program? a focus on the arts?

• What are your child's favorite subjects and activities?

• Does your child hope to continue his or her education at the next level? If so, does he or she have specific goals?

What are the advantages of an independent boarding school? 

• We provide supportive and nurturing academic communities with plenty of adult supervision.

• Our schools encourage the development of midwestern values that build character and promote self-esteem.

• Our talented, caring faculty help students develop consistent study habits and time-management skills.

• By living where they learn, our students acquire more than an academic education: they learn personal responsibility and accountability as well.

• Our students can work without the endless distractions available to young people today. In fact, studies have found that students in independent schools watch nearly seven fewer hours of television per week than their public-school counterparts. Moreover, they spend five more hours per week studying, that adds up to nearly 200 more hours per school year!

• MWBS feature class sizes often 50% smaller than those found in public schools, ensuring more individual attention to each student.

How do I afford a boarding-school education? 

Paying for a MWBS education certainly does require some planning, but it can be manageable, and the investment you will be making in your child�s future will be invaluable. When considering the cost of boarding school, it is important to remember that every family bears the primary responsibility for financing their child's education to the extent that they are able.

Most MWBS members offer need-based financial aid (grants that are determined from a family's income and assets), and some offer other scholarships as well. Many schools offer monthly payment plans (administered either by the school or by an outside agency) that allow families to spread their tuition payments over eight to ten months.

One helpful resource is the School and Student Service for Financial Aid, a service of the National Association of Independent Schools, which objectively assesses a family's ability to contribute to their child's educational costs. From their website, you can access the forms needed to apply for financial aid. For the most reliable information, though, you should contact the Financial Aid Officer at each school you are considering.