These boarding schools are empowering young minds to succeed in a globalised future

The power of peers should not be underestimated — a study conducted by The Association of Boarding Schools found that 78% of boarding students reported that they are motivated by their friends at school compared to 49% of public school students. A major reason why this could be the case is because your peers are the only people you can rely on at boarding school, where you’re away from the comfort of home. 

Great friends for life aside, boarding school graduates do well too. According to The Association of Boarding Schools, 87% of boarding school graduates said that they were well-prepared academically for college. Data from the study also suggested that 78% of boarders were confident that they had acquired non-academic skills like independence, social life, and time management.

Check out these three boarding schools that are shaping young minds for success in a globalised future:

UNISUS International School

Source: UNISUS International School

Overlooking Canada’s Lake Okanagan plus miles of beautiful vineyards and orchards is the 17-acre campus of UNISUS International School. This is where students from all around the world gather to gain a well-rounded education.

It is the only International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in the Okanagan Valley that delivers the IB programme. Here, learners can expect to be placed at the core of the school experience as they develop skills and dispositions to thrive in an increasingly globalised world.

The academically rigorous IB DP doesn’t just provide pathways to world-class universities, it also encourages students to think critically, challenge assumptions, consider local and global contexts, and develop research skills — all of which will be beneficial for both university and the workplace. This is made possible due to the broad scope of the IB DP as well as the small class sizes at UNISUS International School.

Outside of the classroom, UNISUS International School makes full use of its beautiful surroundings, which include some of the best hiking trails, lakes and ski hills in the world. Outdoor education here uses experiential learning and an ever-changing environment to instil confidence, resilience and life skills that will carry beyond their time at the school. To get the complete UNISUS International School experience, students can opt for the co-educational boarding programme once they reach Grade 7 — in a safe campus residence that provides 24/7 guidance and academic support.

Annie Wright Schools

Annie Wright Schools deliver IB programmes in every division. Source: Annie Wright Schools

In the beautiful North End neighbourhood of Tacoma, Washington lies Annie Wright Schools — an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School that is as welcoming as can be. Its thoughtfulness is evident through its array of internationally-recognised programmes, curated to cater to students of all age groups. In the Lower School, students undergo the IB’s Primary Years Programme. Once they progress to the Middle School, they take on the IB Middle Years Programme. 

During their next — and final — step at Annie Wright, the journey becomes more individualised. The Upper School curriculum was designed to challenge the most motivated of students in a distraction-free environment — hence a single-gender model that enables teachers to truly zone in on particular passions. 

Both the Upper School for Girls and Upper School for Boys offer the rigorous IB Diploma Programme, which is considered the gold standard in international education — particularly for its ability to accommodate various learning styles while comprehensively broadening horizons to our rapidly-changing, complex and culturally-diverse world.

At Annie Wright, life outside the classroom is equally enriching. Every age group is welcome to relish in the arts through comprehensive lessons in visual arts and music. Performance opportunities abound as well. Athleticism is encouraged through soccer, cross country, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, swimming, golf, volleyball, and more. Of course, travel and leadership opportunities are frequently presented as well, further exemplifying the school’s emphasis on interdisciplinary engagement. With every student here boasting numerous competencies with pride — well before graduating — it’s little wonder why each achieves the acceptance letter of their dreams. Click here to learn how your child can accomplish the same. 

Branksome Hall

Source: Shutterstock

Since its founding in 1903, thousands have emerged from its picturesque urban campus in the heart of Toronto as great women. They go on to the best colleges and universities around the world. They make a difference in various fields and endeavours. They forge awe-inspiring careers and lives. 

Their success is a direct reflection of the Branksome Hall experience. At this all-years IB World School, students take part in an academically-excellent programme in tandem with unmatched commitments to global engagement and well-being. 

From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, Branksome Hall girls receive the full benefits of the IB curriculum. Branksome Hall is the only independent girls’ school in Toronto to offer the International Baccalaureate exclusively. They study English, Mathematics, Sciences, Technology, Physical Education, the Arts (Drama, Music, Visual Art), humanities and a foreign language every year. Whichever subject they take, they are nurtured to become critical thinkers and effective communicators of their ideas and opinions. The result? Habits that last through a lifetime of shaping a better world.

As Karen L. Jurjevich, who has served more than two decades as Branksome Hall’s principal says, “Branksome Hall will change your life.”