Why an all boys, all boarding school?

Because we all learn differently, and at Blue Ridge, we understand that. 

Over past decades, brain research and sociological studies of schools have suggested that boys and girls learn differently and have provided valuable information about how best to teach girls vs. boys.  However over the same time period, there has been an alarming trend showing boys struggling to succeed in school and beyond.  At Blue Ridge, we have created a learning model and environment that works for young men.  

Blue Ridge is innovative in its approach to education, offering a tailored learning model based on real-world, hands-on activities through which key concepts and study skills are embedded.  

This system is supported by research showing boys generally have strong spatial skills and retain information through active learning methods. Boys are also taught to identify their personal learning style. With an average class size of 9 students, faculty members are able individualize classroom material for different learning styles.   Dr. John O’Reilly, Headmaster, explains, “We’ve created a learning model that works for boys, but what I think is most important is we’ve created an environment where boys are comfortable being themselves and can participate in activities they may not otherwise try in a co-educational setting.”

But why all boarding?

Every moment at Blue Ridge School lessons are being taught.

Our faculty and staff members have one common goal - to help boys reach their potential. The School recently participated in an educational study by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) to determine the results of a boarding school experience. They were astounding:

• 91% of boarding school students feel they are academically challenged, as opposed to 50% of public school students.
• The average private day school student spends 9 hours a week studying, while the average boarding school student spends 17 hours.
• When asked, 77% of boarding school student said their school offered leadership opportunities while 60% of day school students and 52% of public schools agreed as much for their schools. (see the entire study)

Because of the nature of boarding school life at Blue Ridge, students are constantly learning, growing and developing. Our schedule and learning model teaching our students to use their time productively and efficiently. Part of the Blue Ridge Experience is the sense of independence our boys feel and the pride that comes with that independence.