91��Ƭ��

The Safety Factor

As you well know, there are several reasons why you are considering private school for your child. Her safety is on your list, albeit somewhere below other considerations such as the academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities when you first start thinking about schools. Safety is not usually an issue in private schools. Indeed, school violence is not often found in private schools. In fact, the only examples of which I am aware in recent years consist of a few scattered incidents of hazing and cyber-bullying. I won't scare you with examples of school violence in public schools. You see and read about these incidents every day, both at home and abroad. Instead, let's explore some of the reasons and factors that make private schools safe places for your child. You can check that box on your list of questions about private schools.

Discipline Codes

One of the most important reasons why private schools tend to be safe places for your children is because they all have discipline codes. These discipline codes are enforceable and, indeed, are enforced simply because you and your child entered into a legal contract with the school when you agreed to send your child to the school. As a result, when a student violates the code, there will be consequences, including expulsion. In a public school, students have constitutional rights. In a public school, due process must be followed before serious disciplinary consequences occur. That due process can take weeks

Life deals us some tough hands to play from time to time. Certainly, this can be true while your child is at private school. Certain questions always seem to present themselves unexpectedly at the worst possible time. But life is like that, isn't it? The old, comfortable, and very predictable playbook which you and I used to follow thirty or forty years ago has gone by the boards. Here then, are some answers and some resources to help you deal with these tough questions and situations.

My kid has been expelled?

Being notified that your child has been expelled is serious. The timing will inevitably be very awkward. You literally will have to stop whatever you are doing and deal with this crisis. For a crisis, this event most assuredly is. The mere fact that your child broke the rules and did something which warranted his expulsion means that you need to get to the bottom of the situation. Why did he do this? Counseling will probably be required. Both for him and for you. What legal recourse do you have? Probably not much. After all, the contract which you and the school signed spells out the consequences for infractions of the code of conduct which guides students' lives at school.

Finding a new school won't be easy, but it is doable if you hire an educational consultant to make it happen. If you do it on your own, you will spend countless hours calling and explaining

Spending a summer abroad sounds exotic and expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Why should you consider spending a summer abroad? I can think of three reasons.

1. See how people in other countries live.

While it's certainly true that our world has shrunk in so many ways and that we have many things in common, you will find Europeans, Asians and even Canadians do things differently. Seeing how people go about their everyday lives is one of the lasting impressions you will receive from your travels outside the U.S.A.

2. Enjoy yourself.

You have worked hard throughout your high school years. You got accepted by your first-choice college. Spending a month exploring England or Germany or another country will be an exciting break from all that heavy-duty academic work.

3. Reinvent Yourself.

Being away from home can be a bitter-sweet experience. In this case, spending a summer abroad will be mostly sweet. Thanks to WhatsApp and Viber, you are never out of touch with your family back home. That's reassuring for both you and them. Having time to think about things on your own helps clarify your thinking. That will help you plan the year ahead. That first year in college will offer plenty of new challenges.

Several private schools offer a whole academic year abroad. Still others offer a summer abroad. These are enrichment programs designed to expose students who participate in them to the culture and customs of the host country. Promoting global understanding

Choosing the right private school can feel overwhelming, especially as educational expectations continue to evolve. For decades, families have turned to trusted educators, often affectionately referred to as “Mr. Chips,” for thoughtful, experience-based guidance on school selection, student development, and long-term success.

While the core principles of good schooling remain consistent, recent shifts in technology, admissions practices, and student well-being have reshaped what parents should prioritize. This updated guide brings those timeless insights into a modern 2026 context.

Who Is “Mr. Chips” and Why His Advice Still Matters

The term “Mr. Chips” originates from the classic portrayal of a dedicated, wise teacher who understands both academics and student development. In today’s context, it represents seasoned educators, advisors, and administrators who bring years of classroom and leadership experience.

Their advice remains valuable because it focuses on fundamentals that continue to define strong schools:

• Meaningful teacher-student relationships
• Intellectual curiosity and engagement
• Character development and accountability
• A balanced approach to academics and extracurricular life

These qualities are still central to evaluating private schools, even as new trends emerge.

What Has Changed Since the Original Advice

While traditional guidance still applies, several important developments have reshaped private education in the past few years:

Greater Emphasis on Student Well-Being

Post-2023 education trends have placed mental health and emotional support at the forefront. Schools are investing more in counseling services and social-emotional learning programs.

According to the , student support services have expanded significantly across private and public institutions alike.

Integration

Your child has worked very hard at private school. She has covered herself in academic glory, won many honors in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and is ready for the next step: college. Graduation is always a warm, happy occasion as family gathers to bathe in all that reflected glory. Mark this important milestone with a memorable gift. Here are some suggestions with every budget in mind.

A Biking Trip
He'll be back at school studying hard soon enough. So why not treat him (or her) to a biking trip? There are several companies which organize these action-packed trips. Check out and , for example.

A Scooter
A scooter is sustainable transportation especially if she will be going to college in an urban area without much public transporation. The , for example, reminds me of the classic Vespa (only less expensive). It's easy to operate and light on the pocketbook.

A Watch
There are hundreds of makers and thousands of models of watches to choose from as you well know. In every price range too. From to .

A Pen
The bespoke shops call them writing instruments. Whatever you call them, a fine pen is a gift to be cherished. and have a variety of models from which to choose.

Make your gift memorable or a keepsake or both. Best wishes to you and your family at this happy time.