How do we measure the Return on Investment (ROI) on the cost of boarding school for our children ?

Indulge me for a minute or two please. 

(3 minutes to be exact)

In this months newsletter I want to highlight the breadth of opportunities for scholarships and bursaries that our Australian Boarding Schools and other stakeholders offer. I’ve written a fairly ‘sterile’ article on that … but it covers off some valuable points to consider and certainly mentions many scholarship programs that you may or may not have heard of.

First though the indulge.  It has me reflecting on the ROI for our family from choosing a boarding school education for our three children. Was it worth it? Would they have thrived and extended themselves if we’d kept them at home ? We can’t answer that, we’ll never know. I can only look through the prism of our experience and the years that have passed since we finished.

It wasn’t familiar territory for me, having grown up in Sydney without the need for a boarding school. My husband went to boarding school way back when boarding schools were far less comprehensive and engaging than they are now. 

Both of us considered keeping the kids home on the farm – a decision that would have seen them sit on a bus  for up to three hours per day to attend a larger high school than the one in our little town.

To cut a long story short we chose boarding school. We went to an Expo, we chose schools, we struggled much of the time over that 13 years to pay the fees. But we did it. Farmer Ross and I measure our ROI on that investment by looking holistically at our adult children’s lives. We can choose to measure that academically, or by diversity of friendships, or through the lens of humanity – whether they’re compassionate, giving and nurturing humans. We really sprinkle a little of all of those factors into the ROI measure for Team Ferrari.

Our youngest struggled. Did not want to go to boarding school. In fact, did not ever want to leave the farm. He wasn’t academic in the traditional sense but he had, and has, a great love of people and community. He’s only in his fourth year of the ‘university of life’ (UOL) but this homesick kid who had to grow so much when he headed off in Year 7 has so far lived and had the broadest of experiences. He worked in Sydney for 1st Year UOL, lived and worked in north western QLD for 2nd Year UOL, lived and worked in Canada for 3rd Year UOL and now working for a large cropping operation at Nevertire, a bit closer to home and loving the machinery (of course) and experience he is gaining there. Big tick for the ROI for this kid.

Our twins, are now 10 years post school. Similar to the youngest but accepted boarding school as their trajectory for secondary education. One had to be supported until Year 9 in order to catch up academically, large groups are not her natural habitat but fast forward to graduation and she was off to College at Sydney University where she studied Occupational Therapy. Now, with great mentorship and networks along the way she has her own business in a large regional centre helping children and young adults. Big tick for the ROI for this one too.

Elder twin has always been the life-force of our family – lively and loud. Performing arts were her thing and she pursued this with passion at boarding school. After a failed audition at NIDA post graduation she went onto College within the grounds of Sydney University and studied at UTS for a degree in Business with a couple of majors I can’t remember. Her career was very much in the corporate arena until the beginning of this year when she packed her bags and headed north – way north, working on a cattle station in the Northern Territory. Brave. Challenging. Extending herself. Big tick for the ROI.

Three country kids from a small town on the edge of the western plains of NSW. We know that their years at boarding school shaped them, gave them confidence and belief in their abilities. Belief that they could go fast or slow down. That they could set paths, take u-turns, gather friendships and networks along the way. Farmer Ross and I are so impressed with them and we truly love the people they’re becoming.

I tell you this today because it wasn’t easy to pay for. It was so very stressful at times. But it was worth it. It was our gift to our children.

Talk with the schools you are interested in about their scholarships and bursary options. Look at schools that better suit your budget and geographical goals.  If this is something you really want for your children pursue any avenue with fervour. 

Thank you for indulging me. 

PS Our Australian Boarding Schools Summit being held online again this year explores in depth the financial opportunities that scholarship and bursary programs can offer. Check it out in the link below.

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Have you finished your boarding school journey ? Share our news…. tell your friends and family who might be on their way. Our website provides almost 20 years of resources and experience to families and students considering their options and beginning their days at boarding school.