As an attentive, caring parent, you only want what is best for your children. From the moment they are born until they step out on their own, you do your best to mould them into honest, responsible adults.

Eventually, however, you have to relinquish some of that control and send them into an environment that will have as much and sometimes more of an impact on their development ? school.

Since your child is going to be spending more time in and around the school setting than under your watchful eye, you want be comfortable in the knowledge they are going to be receiving the same guidance they would from you, as well as a quality education.

With schooling options limited on our small Island, chances are you, or your child, may experience dissatisfaction with one of the schools, be it by academic reputation, or your child is not feeling challenged.

Whatever the reason, do not feel you are held hostage by the local education system ? there are a host of options available to you, like boarding school.

Tory Dodge, an education consultant and owner of Schools To Know, focuses on helping students and parents find the boarding school that is right for them. She recently spoke with about the benefits of boarding school, and what you and your children can expect if you choose to go that educational route.

?With so many options, finding the appropriate boarding school can be a challenge,? she explained. ?A dozen schools may seem the perfect fit for a student, but as important as academics are, students and parents must also consider student life, culture, philosophy and leadership, the breadth and depth of extra-curricular activities and demographics of the student body.?

One of the most important things to look for is a school whose culture, values and tone match the parent?s and child?s, Ms Dodge adds, noting that peer leadership is paramount with teenagers today.

?You want your child to be exposed to positive role models and intelligent decision makers,? she said. ?It will expand their world and ultimately will enhance the abilities they bring back to Bermuda.?

What are the benefits of sending your son or daughter off to boarding school? According to Ms Dodge:

A 24-hour learning environment;

Fewer immediate distractions;

Countless academic and extra-curricular opportunities;

A lot of individual attention;

Built-in structure and discipline to learn better work habits and study skills;

and, Enhanced facilities for art, sports and science.

She suggests considering certain factors such as whether the school is co-ed or single sex, the student/teacher ratio, dorm arrangements and admissions criteria in your selection as well. Some boarding schools also cater to specific areas of education, like pre-professional arts (drama, dance, painting), religion, emotional growth or learning differences.

If your child needs specialised attention in a certain area of learning, it might help to locate a school that is focused to that particular kind of education.

Some may say that boarding school is more of a punishment than anything else, a way for parents to shirk their responsibilities, however, Ms Dodge is confident this is not the case.

?I have never had a student sent away to be babysat,? she said. ?The closest situation is where there is a re-marriage and a youngster does not fit into the newly formed family and is having problems. All family members seem more relaxed as long as the right choice of school is made for a child.?

If you are also worried that your child might get caught up in ?sex, drugs and rock and roll?, Ms Dodge notes the more traditional the school setting, the more personal responsibility the student will be expected to take on for his or herself.

She said: ?If you have a student who is unable to make sound decisions on their own, it?s better to send them to a school that is smaller and has a lot more supervision, with a very consistent and supportive advisor relationship where they check in with the student on a daily basis. ?Again, it?s all about making the right match of the student?s needs and the school?s expertise.

?During the troubling times, for some adolescents a little distance and guidance of others can be very healthy for the parent/child relationship. They learn that others hold the same values and concerns as their parents.?

The Canadian Boarding School Fair takes place today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. For more information, contact Heather Kidd at 613-968-5726 or e-mail hkiddalbertc.on.ca