What qualities do boarding schools look for in applicants?

Boarding schools aren’t just looking for straight-A students. They’re looking for good community members. Admissions officers want children who will live well with others, not just study hard. The kind of student who stays after practice to help a teammate, leads a club with enthusiasm, or shows genuine curiosity in class. Those small gestures and habits say a lot. Strong academics matter, of course, but so do character, kindness, and resilience. Schools love applicants who can handle challenges and still keep a positive attitude. If your child can show passion, maybe they wrote for the school paper, made a great sculpture or painting, or started a fundraiser, it makes their application memorable. In short, boarding look for well-rounded, self-motivated students who are eager to grow both intellectually and personally. It’s about potential, not perfection.