Boarding Program : Letter to Parents

Dear Parents,

Making the decision to send a child to junior boarding school might be one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. Experience tells us that there is often a compelling story behind such decisions: a special vision for the education of your child, a rare opportunity for a cultural exchange, an inconvenient job transfer, a search for good educational alternatives, a need for a new start, a challenging health or family issue. Whatever the ultimate reason for considering a junior boarding school, we are sure of this: it is an extraordinary act of love and generosity for the child and an immeasurably valuable gift to his or her future.

Roots and Wings
It is with that same hope and deep love that we welcome your children into our arms at Fox River. We become dedicated partners with you in helping these precious youngsters recognize their innate goodness and worth. This, of course, was the vision of the founders and early leaders of this school who expected students here would grow up to live successful and useful lives: That from the roots of good seeds planted in the rich soil of a homelike environment would grow the wings of knowledge, opportunity, and unselfed service to others. Roots and wings. That is the vision we hold for your children here.

Extended Family
The key ingredient for success in any school is the family. A caring family deeply committed to disciplined academic study and expansive learning is usually the decisive factor in education. And it is through this door that independent schools and boarding schools, in particular -- emerge as difference-makers. They are natural extensions of the family. They act as the proverbial village, helping to raise the child. Young people at such schools find themselves in a safe culture a large extended family where faculty and staff act as fathers, mothers, grandparents, uncles, and aunts. It is a culture that honors the life of the mind, whereby young students are encouraged to grow, to explore, to take on new responsibilities, to assume leadership, and to learn essential life skills both inside and outside the classroom.

Building Character
For all of this schools prized opportunities in academics and enrichment, the core of this school remains its commitment to ethics and community. The love and dedication of the faculty and staff foster an uplifting, harmonious environment by, among other things, nurturing a graceful sense of self-government. We continue to believe that in a loving, principled and expectant atmosphere of thought, great things can be achieved and great talents unearthed; that in such an environment, success as a student and citizen is not merely possible but inevitable.

Junior boarding schools are not right for everyone. But, most thankfully, they are just right for some. We are here to meet that need and to do so with uncommon success.

To explore the possibilities of our boarding program, I invite you to visit us on the website, or, better yet, come see us in person. Youll be glad you did. Discover why five-day or seven-day boarding may be the answer for your family.

Warmly,

Chuck Harvuot, Director of Admissions