A group of boarding school alumni felt the desire to form an inventive program to serve high school aged girls and boys in at-risk and marginalized circumstances by placement in a respectable boarding school. The search led to an organization in London, United Kingdom. Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation’s mission aligned perfectly with the concept envisioned by the founders of SpringBoard USA Foundation. Through collaboration and consultation with our partners in the UK, SpringBoard USA Foundation was born. Visit the website of our partners at Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation https://www.royalspringboard.org.uk/ for a glimpse of their good work.

A boarding school is a school which some or all pupils live in during the school term. SpringBoard USA Foundation partners with five boarding schools. Plans are in the works to add more schools. Boarding schools offer a range of academic, athletic, artistic and extra-curricular activities delivered in a holistic and community centered environment. 

The typical SpringBoard school is a non-profit, religiously affiliated institution with a long history of providing a superior academic program and a residential experience which reflects spiritual values and a caring environment for its students. 

SpringBoard USA Foundation operates on a student referral system, a financial sponsorship model along with a partner boarding school. SpringBoard partners with five boarding schools located in Tennessee, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama and Nebraska. Students typically are referred to SpringBoard by an individual(s), a church community, a youth centered non-profit or an entity aware of a student’s circumstances. Students are vetted and approved for placement by SpringBoard based on the appropriate criteria:

• A demonstrated willingness to succeed in a boarding school environment
• Documented high school grade level academic ability 
• Support from parent(s) or guardian
• Documented financial need
• A financial sponsor
• Boarding school acceptance & enrollment

SpringBoard collaborates with its boarding school partners to provide a financial arrangement that benefits the school, student and sponsor. A sponsor can be an individual, couple, business, church, foundation, civic group, or religious group. A sponsor is encouraged to have an ongoing relationship with the student or can remain anonymous. A sponsor commits to the duration of the student’s time in school. The financial cost to a sponsor is one third the cost of full tuition, room and board.  Contributions by sponsors to SpringBoard are fully tax deductible per IRS rules.

Any high school aged girl or boy, typically entering 9th grade, who has the desire to make a radical life change, who possesses the grade level academic ability, with a documented financial need and the support of parent(s) and/or guardian. Students entering the 10th, 11th or 12th grade are considered on a case by case basis.

All members of SpringBoard USA Foundation and partner boarding schools maintain strict standards and compliance with federal, state and local laws. Specifically, SpringBoard and all boarding schools adhere and are certified in safe environment standards by several accrediting organizations. The safety and well-being of every SpringBoard student is our first priority. 

SpringBoard USA Foundation encourages inquiries about our program. Contact the executive director, Mr. Patrick Weaver, at 615-419-6699 or patrick@springboardusa.org to learn more. Take some time to thoroughly review the SpringBoard website and investigate the benefits of life in a boarding school. All prospective SpringBoard students must submit an application to be considered for placement. The application link is here.

SpringBoard USA Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization in compliance with all federal and state regulations. SpringBoard is tax-exempt public charity EIN #47-5307022. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. SpringBoard is dependent upon charitable gifts and grants to support our young people. 

In providing an opportunity to SpringBoard students for a transformational experience, the hope of sponsors, schools and SpringBoard administration is for every student to grow into Christian leaders capable of college level work, who can think critically, who live lives of service to others and who become an admirable example to those who come from similar circumstances.  

Our desire for every SpringBoard student is to be all they can be by developing their God-given gifts and talents. While making the honor roll or becoming a star athlete are noteworthy accomplishments, we want our SpringBoard students, with the help of our boarding school partners, to fully mature into Christian leaders. The SpringBoard staff created a program called P.A.S.S. which stands for Physical, Academic, Social and Spiritual. P.A.S.S. is our way of expressing desired outcomes for every SpringBoard student:

• PHYSICAL – care for the physical body by proper diet, daily exercise and good sleep habits
• ACADEMIC – develop critical thinking ability, effective writing skills, and reading comprehension
• SOCIAL – follow the golden rule, less screen time, more in-person interaction, self-worth
• SPIRITUAL – mindful of God’s grace, the power of private prayer, and care for others