ABOUT THIS PAGE

This page is designed to answer the questions and alleviate the concerns of parents thinking about sending their children to boarding school for high school. It will debunk commonly accepted myths and offer information regarding the value of boarding school, success rates of boarding school graduates, and will outline what questions parents should consider when looking at prospective boarding schools.
Common Myths About
Boarding School
THE BENEFITS OF
BOARDING SCHOOL
Questions to Consider When
Comparing Boarding Schools
The St. Lawrence
Seminary Difference
Parent
Testimonial
NEXT STEPS TO
LEARN MORE

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOL

Perhaps you’ve heard that boarding schools are entirely too exclusive, that they lack diversity, or that only troubled kids are sent to boarding school. We want to help you separate fact from fiction by shedding light on some of the common myths surrounding what a boarding school experience can offer a high school student.

THE BENEFITS OF BOARDING SCHOOL

While a higher population of students attend either public or private high schools, the statistics show that boarding schools offer a much larger RETURN ON INVESTMENT. Boarding schools are known to prepare students for the next stage of their academic career without focusing too much on academics. Self-discipline, maturity, critical thinking, and a sense of independence are all examples of how boarding schools deliver a holistic high school experience — but don’t just take our word for it. Scroll down to see the statistics about boarding school.

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BOARDING SCHOOLS PROVIDE AN EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

One of the major benefits of a boarding school education is an exceptional academic environment. Boarding schools are often designed to have a college preparatory focus, which encourages and promotes academic excellence. And in turn, the expectation levels are high for both students and teachers.

Percent of HS student who report having great, high quality teachers

Percent of HS student who believe that their school was academically challenging

Percent of HS student who state that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their academic experience

BOARDING SCHOOLS PROVIDE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITH BOTH PEERS AND TEACHERS

Boarding schools allow students and professors to be available at “odd hours.” This is a distinct advantage over traditional day schools because the accessibility allows groups to meet, study, and prepare materials prior to a big test or class presentation.

What’s even greater is that classmates are available to each other for more than just academic support. Living in close proximity to one another allows students to easily go out and play sports, get some food, or just meet casually. Friends at boarding school become a second family, as they are together for a variety of different life experiences.

 

Percent of HS students who Report Being Around Motivated Peers

Percent of HS students who claim to have a supportive environment

BOARDING SCHOOLS TEACH STRUCTURE AND PROMOTE LIFE SKILLS

The structured environment of boarding school, while challenging for some, is a benefit for many. Students are given scheduled class times, but much of their time spent out of class will be up to them to plan and organize. Students must learn how to prioritize and balance academics, clubs, sports, service opportunities, leisure time, and other extracurricular activities.

Percent of HS student who felt prepared for college upon graduation

Why SLS is ahead of the Game:
St. Lawrence Seminary High School's holistic program focuses on the academics and teaching students - social skills, time management/ organizational skills, and providing a multi-cultural community where they can learn from each other. High school is only four year, but St. Lawrence looks to prepare its students for college and life, inside and outside of the classroom.

BOARDING SCHOOLS PRODUCE COLLEGE-READY GRADUATES

At college prep schools, students are fully aware that the work and effort they are putting into their education is in preparation for their next step: the college classroom. The tasks, homework, projects, and tests are designed to challenge students in a way that builds confidence later down the road.

Percent of HS student who felt prepared for college upon graduation

Percent of graduates who went on to pursue a higher degree

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QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN COMPARING BOARDING SCHOOLS

As a parent, you probably have several questions that go along with what it means to send your child to boarding school. When comparing boarding schools, be sure to consider these ten questions:

1. What are the qualification standards of the faculty teaching at the boarding school? SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

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When I struggle with my job, when there's anything in life that presents itself as an unsolvable problem, I hear the words of my Latin instructor, Mr. David Gritt, "You Think too much. Just take care of it." That makes me smile and focus on the resolution for the problem, not my problem with the problem."

- Tyler, SLS Alumni, Class of 2002

2. How is the school’s mission unique compared to other similar schools?

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3. How does your school encourage and implement a sense of community between student-to-student and student-to-teacher? SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

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It was not until the middle of my junior year here that I realized SLS was the right school for me. Of course, my years here as an underclassman were extremely fun, but my junior year was a wake-up call for me. If I had not gone to SLS, I would be a totally different person. I would not have gone through all the trials and tribulations of waking up early on Saturdays for a forensics meets or have met the classmates I am able to call my brothers. The one aspect of SLS that kept me going was the community. Over the years, I have picked up small snippets of so many different languages and cultures. The friendships I have made are unforgettable.

- Anonymous Student

How will I be able to get in contact with my son when I want/need to?

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What kind of extracurricular activities are available to students?

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What kind of financial aid is available to my family?

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How does your school support students with homesickness? SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

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I was kind of hesitant coming to SLS, mostly because I would have to live here. I still came here because I knew that my rationale for missing home was being blown out of proportion and that it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

- Anonymous Student

What measure do your faculty and staff take to prepare my child for college and/or adult life?

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What student mentorship/discipleship opportunities are available for students?

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What are the most common words used by alumni to describe their experience having graduated from this boarding school? SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.

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St. Lawrence was the first educational, athletic, and life setting where I consistently applied myself with predetermined goals.

- John, SLS Alumni, Class of 1995

THE SLS DIFFERENCE

How St. Lawrence Seminary High School Stands out Amongst the Rest

The Advantage of Attending a Faith-based, Catholic Boarding School
 An excellent academic program is essential in preparing a student for college and life thereafter — but it is not the only value there is. Faith-based schools operate from the principle that the education of a person is not limited to the intellectual sphere. Instead, these schools go beyond to encompass the spiritual aspects of the person.

Students who attend faith-based schools are enriched by a curriculum of arts, sciences, and religion. But again, boarding schools strive for more than just academic excellence — therefore, students who attend a faith-based boarding school are surrounded by opportunities to form a strong conscience and moral character that leads to a wholesome life.

MISSION AND VALUES

MISSION

Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the example of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Lawrence Seminary provides a residential college preparatory education in a living Catholic community nurturing mature, well-rounded men of faith, who prepare for a life of ministry as priests, religious and lay leaders in the Church and world.

VALUES

SPIRITUALITY
Fostering a relationship
with Jesus that directs a
lifetime

DIVERSITY
Building fraternity
and community by
respecting and
celebrating uniqueness

SOCIAL SKILLS
Interacting in an
effective, positive and
respectful manner

HUMBLE COMMITMENT
Serving by sacrificing
for others

KNOWLEDGE
Pursuing academic,
moral and spiritual
depth

SAFE COMMUNITY
Providing the physical
and emotional freedom
that assists learning,
growing and exploring

St. Lawrence Seminary High School is ahead of the game when it comes to preparing its students for academic and spiritual success.

St. Lawrence Seminary High School is a college-preparatory Catholic boarding school deep in the heart of Wisconsin. At SLS, we provide a quality education that encourages young men of faith to embrace their full potential and graduate as men with substantial leadership capabilities. We do this by offering a holistic program that focuses on more than just academics.

Are you interested in staying up-to-date on news, thoughts, and events relevant to the mission and values at St. Lawrence Seminary High School?
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PARENT TESTIMONIAL

Jody Tran-Le is a mother of four boys. Her two oldest boys graduated from St. Lawrence Seminary High School, her third is currently at SLS, and her fourth is waiting for his turn to go.

“We noticed drastic changes with our son from the time he entered SLS until now.

First, in his maturity/responsibility levels — He's always looking out for his siblings as well as others, he takes responsibilities for his actions, assist others when needed, he's more caring for the less fortunate, and always thinking about other people’s well-being before himself.

Second, in his respectability — He treats everybody with respect, and he understands that to “earn respect” he needs to “show respect.”

Third, in his conservativeness — He understands the value of a dollar and what it takes to earn it. He has become very frugal.

Fourth, in his friendship/brotherhood — SLS is very diverse when it comes to the ethnicity of the students. The school has helped built a friendship/brotherhood for my son with his classmates worldwide that will last a lifetime. Up to this day, our son still keeps in touch with a majority of his classmates via social media, emails, phone, etc.

Fifth, in his college preparation — SLS has done a lot of things to prepare our son(s) for college. The school has helped to prepare him for dorm life and to be independent. The class standards and expectation levels are high which greatly helped him to be more prepared for the college level education.

Sixth, in his faith — the most important thing that we’ve gained from having our son attend SLS is that he has become more spiritual. His faith with the Franciscan Friars and Catholicism has grown stronger and stronger. He's always looking for opportunities to help the less fortunate.

We’ve gained a son that is more confidence about who he is, who has a strong will in what he believes in, who knows what it means to be “respectful”, and who is a great “helping hands” to others.

[Sending our sons to St. Lawrence] was the best decision we could’ve made and if we had to turn back the clock, we would not have changed a thing. To this day, we can't thank the staff enough for the wonderful job that they've done to mold our son(s) in the positive way they have.”

CURIOUS TO LEARN MORE?
BOARDING SCHOOL CHECKLIST

For any additional inquiries, Francisco Sauceda, the Director of Admissions and Recruitment, is available to answer questions. Please contact Francisco at fsauceda@stlawrence.edu or (920) 753-7518.
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For a look at our Weekend Visit, we invite you to download our free eBook The Weekend Visit Experience.
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Would you like a visual representation of what a day in the life of a St. Lawrence Seminary High School student is like? Check out our infographic.
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Anxious to know more about the financial aid opportunities? Check out our downloadable The Guide to Financial Aid at St. Lawrence Seminary High School.
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For more information on what you can expect for your son to get out of a St. Lawrence Seminary High School education, check out our downloadable guide the Parent’s Guide to St. Lawrence Seminary High School.
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