The EDUFAX Educational FAQ

Question #23:

My son is failing all of his classes because of not going to school and cutting classes. He is very smart but is unmotivated. Are there boarding schools that may be able to motivate him and will accept him in spite of his poor academics?

Answer #23:

Most children who avoid going to school usually have good reasons for doing so, although they themselves may not even know what they are. Something is probably bothering your son - either he is bored, frustrated, or bothered by the behaviors of students, teachers or administrators. He may be unable to articulate what is happening, but you have to be his advocate and help find out what is wrong before he has to face the world without any skills. Has he ever had any educational testing? He may have a learning disability which is preventing him from being able to understand the way material is taught. There are many children who are gifted, but also learning disabled. Once they learn how to accommodate for their LD, they start to enjoy learning and school becomes a safe and exciting place to be. There are a number of boarding schools which can help unmotivated learners understand what is going on. Gradually, these schools help students understand that they must equip themselves with skills to become productive and independent adults. This is not an easy process and the schools must be carefully selected to meet the specific needs of each student. You will probably need the assistance of an educational consultant experienced in placing teenagers like your son. If you choose a school which does not suit his needs, you could exacerbate the problem. EDUFAX provides Services for the Independent School Applicant.

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