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A Beginner’s Guide to Boarding School Terminology

A Beginner’s Guide to Boarding School Terminology

Boarding schools offer many advantages for students who desire an education that will fully equip them with the tools needed to enter college with skills above their peers.  However, it is important to understand the differences between boarding schools and traditional schools, particularly when you are comparing schools for the purpose of enrollment.

Likewise, understanding the terminology associated with boarding schools will help the parent and student make a well-qualified decision regarding the school that best meets their needs.  Just as traditional schools vary, there is a wide spectrum found amongst boarding schools.  Here are some terms that will help explain those differences and ensure that the school you choose is the best choice for your family’s needs.

Academia- Academia is used to describe an educational group or community that is actively committed to higher education.

Academic Counseling- Academic counseling is the process where teachers and faculty members guide students in mapping out the course of their education to ensure that they achieve their educational goals.

Achievement- Achievement is used to measure a student’s level or degree of success.  It may be in the form of testing or by assessing skills that have been learned.

Active Learning- Active learning is a type of educational procedure where students participate in the learning process through a variety of means and methods. It is in direct contrast to passive learning, where students learn by listening to a teacher or instructor. Active learning engages the student through discussions, problem solving, and other critical thinking activities.

Advanced Placement (AP)- The Advanced Placement program is used by colleges or universities to allow high school students to earn college credits.

Advisor- An advisor is a member of the school faculty that helps students plan their academic courses. Advisors play a vital role in ensuring that students reach their academic goals.

Boarding School- A Boarding School is a residential school where students receive lodging, meals, and education.

Coeducational- Coeducational refers to a group or environment that consists of members of both sexes.

College Preparatory- College preparatory classes are added to a student’s curriculum to help them enter into college or a university.  The classes are often required by the higher education facility for entrance purposes.

Curriculum- A curriculum is the program or courses taught in the school setting.  It is determined either by the school board or an outside governing agency.

Day School- A day school is a boarding school that offers classes for non-residential students as well as the boarding school students.

Department of Education- The Department of Education is the US governing branch that monitors and regulates educational programs in the United States.

Dormitory- A dormitory is the section of a boarding school where the students reside.

Elementary School- Elementary school is the first stage of education. It begins in kindergarten and ends somewhere between the fourth and eighth grade, depending upon the school’s policies.

Faculty- School faculty is comprised of the adults who are in leadership.  This typically includes teachers, principals, and may include professors or lecturers.

Grades- Grades are the evaluation of a student’s performance in an educational setting.  They may be written in numerical or letter format.

Grade Point Average- Grade point average, or GPA, is determined by computing credits and grade points together.

Graduate- To graduate means to successfully complete one course of study and to advance to the next course.

Passive Learning- Passive learning is in contrast to active learning.  It consists of receiving instructions through methods such as lectures or film watching.  With passive learning, the student is not actively engaged in the learning process but receives the information that is being directed towards him or her.

Private school- A private school is a school that is owned and operated by an entity other than the government or state.

Public school- Public school is education provided by the government and paid for by citizen tax dollars.

Room and Board- Room and board is covered in the tuition fees for students at boarding schools.  This consists of sleeping arrangements, living quarters, and meals.

School Discipline- School discipline is the code or punishment that is administered when the school’s rules have been violated.

Secondary School- Secondary school consists of the grades between elementary and college.  It is often referred to as Secondary Education.

Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)- The SSAT or Secondary School Admission Test is given to entrants of a boarding school.  It measures the student’s proficiency in reading comprehension as well as verbal and mathematical skills.

Socratic Method- The Socratic Method was developed by the philosopher, Socrates.  It is a teaching method used to develop rational thinking by challenging concepts and encourages the participants to rely heavily upon critical thinking skills.

Special Education- Special education refers to teaching methods that are geared towards those who do not think or learn in the traditional manner.  This may be due to emotional, physical, or academic needs.

Syllabus- A syllabus is a guide that accompanies a class or course.  It is given to students so that they have a thorough understanding of the topics that will be expounded upon during the course.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)- The Test of English as a Foreign Language is administered to those whose native language is one other than English.  Colleges and universities administer this test to assess the speaker’s grasp and understanding of the English language.

Transcript- A transcript is the student’s written record of his or her academic performance at a school previously attended.

Tuition- Tuition is the fee charged by the school for the student’s education.

Visual Learning- Visual learning may also be referred to as spatial learning.  It is a learning style where images such as maps, graphic organizers, and webs are used to help connect ideas with spatial images.

Whole Language- Whole language is a teaching approach used to incorporate many aspects of reading, grammar, and language arts into the student’s life, rather than teaching reading as a mechanical or rote function.