Programs for the Shy/Homebody

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FAQs

Clear answers to common questions about our services, ensuring you have all the information needed for a successful school experience.

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About Our Free Service

Searching for a Boarding School

Crafting the Perfect University Applicant

Looking for College Campus or Career Experiences

What types of services do you work with? Do you help with boarding schools?

School Experts is an advisor that connects families with the best educational opportunities for their children. And yes, boarding school searches are a big part of what we do. We don’t run programs or manage admissions; instead, we use our expertise to point you to trusted programs and schools that truly fit your child’s needs. We are a member of the British Boarding School network, and several other professional organizations.

Our network spans:

Boarding schools
Tutoring and test prep
Summer enrichment programs
College counseling
Internships
and more

Our referral support includes:

Initial discovery consultation: learn about your child’s needs and your family’s priorities
Boarding school recommendations: tailored to academic level, personal temperament, and long-term ambitions
Introductions to vetted professionals: tutors, therapists, and admissions coaches
Cross-border insights: UK, US, Canadian, and Swiss educational systems
Ongoing advice: your plans evolve or needs change

Is your advice independent?

Our recommendations are always based on finding the best fit for families with programs we trust. We assess schools, tutors, and programs based on their merit and relevance to your child’s needs.

We offer:

Personalised recommendations based on our deep network and professional insight
Transparent evaluations of the programs
Full commitment to your child's long-term wellbeing and academic growth

What does it cost to work with you?

Our services are free to families. We do not charge for consultations or ongoing support. Our ability to provide this service at no cost is made possible through relationships within the education sector that allow us to focus solely on what matters most: helping you make informed, confident decisions.

Do you support students beyond just finding a boarding school?

Absolutely. We are here to support families across every stage of their child’s academic journey. In addition to school referrals, we also:

Refer expert tutors and academic specialists
Match families with pre-university programs, summer courses, and cultural experiences
Recommend interview coaches and university counsellors
Offer options for language immersion and English language improvement for students looking to boost fluency or prepare for entrance into English-speaking schools

Our goal is to be a long-term partner as your child grows and their needs evolve.

When should I begin my search for a boarding school?

We can work with any timeline, even for short-term placements like a single term or summer boarding experience. Many schools keep a few spots open for shorter stays, and we can often secure these placements on relatively short notice.

For longer-term placements (full academic year or multiple years), starting earlier is always better. Ideally, you’ll begin your search 12 to 18 months before your child’s intended start date to allow time for:

Admissions tests (e.g., UKiset, ISEB, or school-specific exams)
Interviews (remote or in-person)
Campus visits or virtual tours
Visa arrangements if required (e.g., a UK Child Student Visa)

For a September start, we suggest narrowing your list before the previous Spring or Summer, but even if you’re starting late, we can still help. We know which schools have rolling admissions or flexible entry points, from short-term options to mid-year placements.

Picking between schools in the US, UK, Canada, or Switzerland?

While we are a member of the UK boarding school network, we also help families find schools in the United States, Canada, and Switzerland when those options better suit a child’s academic path, family circumstances, or personal preferences.

We help families compare:

UK curriculum: GCSEs, A Levels, IB
Swiss models: Bilingual or multilingual programs, French Baccalauréat, Swiss Matura
US and Canadian prep schools: American high school diploma, AP programs, holistic campus life

How do we help families find the right fit for a child’s personality and interests?

We know that the right school for one child may be completely wrong for another. We take the time to understand:

Learning style, social preferences, emotional needs
Interests in sports, music, drama, technology, languages
Comfort level with academic challenge and independence

Then we refer you to schools that offer:

Balanced programs suited to your child’s profile
Warm, inclusive communities or academically rigorous environments
Clear pathways to next steps: GCSEs, A Levels, IB, or university preparation

Our process includes arranging visits and helping families frame the right questions to ask.

What’s the difference between a full-year and a short-term boarding placement?

We refer families to both full-year and short-term boarding opportunities:

Full-Year Placements:

Ideal for students seeking academic continuity
Includes integration into core programs (e.g., GCSE, A Level, IB)
Fully immersed in school life, trips, sport, and leadership

Short-Term Placements:

Term-by-term or half-year stays
Suited for families on sabbatical, trial boarding, or cultural experience
Great option for transition periods or gap terms

We help you determine which suits your family’s timeline and educational goals, and we only refer you to schools that welcome and support both formats.

Should we rely on the school’s college counsellor, or work with someone independently?

Every student at a high school has access to the same college counselors provided by the school. For many families, that in-house guidance can be a helpful starting point. However, with large caseloads and limited time, school counselors may not be able to offer the level of attention or personalisation some students require.

Families often turn to independent university consultants when they’re seeking:

More focused, one-on-one guidance tailored to their child’s specific strengths and goals
A strategic edge in competitive admissions, including Oxbridge and Ivy League
Help navigating complex or international application pathways
Dedicated support with essays, interviews, timelines, and university selection

We work closely with a curated network of expert college counsellors who deliver personalised, strategic advice designed to complement, rather than replace, your school’s resources. Their support leads to better placements.

Can you recommend tutoring or academic support?

Yes. We refer families to trusted academic specialists for:

Core subject tutoring (maths, science, English, history, etc.)
Learning support and executive functioning coaching
EAL (English as an Additional Language) instruction
Exam preparation for UKiset, ISEB, GCSEs, A Levels, IB, SAT, ACT, and more
Interview coaching and public speaking skills

We work to ensure the tutors we refer align with your child’s academic level, preferred pace, and goals.

No matter when you start, we can help!

Can you help us find pre-college or academic summer programs?

Yes. We guide families toward enriching academic and pre-university programs, both residential and online, including:

Summer courses at boarding schools or universities in the UK and US
University-based pre-college courses (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge, UCLA, etc.)
STEM, humanities, law, medicine, and business intensives
Career exploration programs with hands-on components

These programs not only support university applications but also give students a taste of independence and the academic challenges ahead.

We work with options that push advanced students academically. That said, there is no one-size-fits-all, and our recommendations reflect that.

Can you help my child explore career paths while still in school?

Yes. We refer students to hands-on, exploratory experiences that help them begin thinking about their future, and gain exposure to real-world fields before university decisions are made. These opportunities are available year-round and cater to a range of interests and commitment levels.

We work with programs that include:

Internships and Job Shadowing: Structured placements in sectors such as medicine, law, journalism, finance, architecture, and technology. These experiences give students firsthand insight into workplace environments, responsibilities, and professional culture.
Pre-Professional Intensives: Short-term programs hosted by universities or industry partners that simulate real-world projects.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamps: For students interested in startups, product development, or social enterprise, we refer to programs where they can build business plans, pitch ideas, and collaborate with peers and mentors.
Themed Career Exploration Courses: Multi-week residential or online courses focused on a single field designed to help students test interests before committing to university tracks.

Beyond adding depth to a student’s academic record, these experiences help clarify direction, build confidence, and develop the critical thinking and communication skills that universities and employers value.

Do you work with programs beyond just academic or career-focused tracks?

Absolutely. Many students thrive in environments that nurture creativity, curiosity, or global awareness, whether or not they’re tied directly to future careers. We refer families to a wide variety of experiential programs that support personal growth and broaden perspective. These include:

Language Immersion & Cultural Exchange: Intensive French or Spanish immersion in Europe or Latin America, or programs that combine language with homestay or service components. These are ideal for students preparing to attend international schools, build fluency, or deepen cultural understanding.
Creative Arts & Performance: Visual arts intensives, theatre conservatories, film and digital media labs, music residencies, and creative writing workshops hosted at leading institutions or in dynamic studio environments. Some are portfolio-building, while others focus on exploration and self-expression.
Outdoor Leadership & Global Service: Programs that take students out of the classroom, backpacking through national parks, participating in sustainability initiatives abroad, or joining structured service-learning projects with local communities.

Whether your child is an artist, adventurer, language lover, or simply curious about the world, we can help you find a program that inspires them, builds confidence, and complements their academic path.

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