OUR STUDENTS

Springboard Students
Springboard Students

The mission of SpringBoard USA Foundation is to save kids. Students in our ministry come from a range of households such as a single parent or guardian, grandparent, and foster families all with extreme financial limitations. Through financial sponsors, such as individuals/couples, a parish/church community, or business and SpringBoard funds, students (typically entering 9th grade) are enrolled in one of five partner boarding schools.

The mission of SpringBoard USA Foundation is to save kids. Students in our ministry come from a range of households such as a single parent or guardian, grandparent, and foster families all with extreme financial limitations. Through financial sponsors, such as individuals/couples, a parish/church community, or business and SpringBoard funds, students (typically entering 9th grade) are enrolled in one of five partner boarding schools.

Student and mom on move in day

Academics

The success of SpringBoard USA Foundation is the success of our students. All our boarding school partners offer a college preparatory academic program. Student grade and conduct reports are monitored at the mid-quarter, quarter, and semester intervals. Appropriate action is taken by the SpringBoard director when intervention is necessary including phone/Zoom meetings with school faculty and staff, email and onsite campus visits and inspections.

Student in art gallery
Student in dorm on move in day
Student in dorm on move in day

Student Life

Throughout the school year and over the summer, SpringBoard stays engaged with every student. SpringBoard resources are also used to support families at home. Issues such as car repair, tutoring, and psychological testing are recent expenditures to aid a single parent and/or young children in the home. We know cultural diversity is the strength of exceptional boarding programs. From humble backgrounds, SpringBoard students possess unique perspectives coming from marginalized environs. By living in a residential setting, SpringBoard students share cultural differences with others thus leading to tolerance and inclusion. SpringBoard currently serves fifteen students from diverse cultural backgrounds: Hispanic, African American, Vietnamese & Native American. Sponsors, staff, and volunteers of SpringBoard remain steadfast in the success of every student, not only in academics, but for lives as Christian leaders.

P.A.S.S.

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

Student Life

Throughout the school year and over the summer, SpringBoard stays engaged with every student. SpringBoard resources are also used to support families at home. Issues such as car repair, tutoring, and psychological testing are recent expenditures to aid a single parent and/or young children in the home. We know cultural diversity is the strength of exceptional boarding programs. From humble backgrounds, SpringBoard students possess unique perspectives coming from marginalized environs. By living in a residential setting, SpringBoard students share cultural differences with others thus leading to tolerance and inclusion. SpringBoard currently serves fifteen students from diverse cultural backgrounds: Hispanic, African American, Vietnamese & Native American. Sponsors, staff, and volunteers of SpringBoard remain steadfast in the success of every student, not only in academics, but for lives as Christian leaders.

The Benefits of Boarding School

1. Challenging Academics

A boarding school education is known for being more challenging than a private day school or public school. A unique emphasis is placed on rigorous academics and experience-based learning. An experience-centered environment helps students grow in self-discipline and develop a strong work ethic that will prepare them for higher education. 

2. Peer Learning

In a boarding school setting, you live, play, study, and socialize among your peers. A diverse boarding school setting with students from different backgrounds offers a special opportunity for growth and learning. Students can expand their perspectives and horizons as they learn together both in and out of the classroom.

3. Smaller Class Sizes

Small class sizes can make all the difference in a student’s success. When students have the chance to interact with their peers and teachers, they engage with the subject material more closely — a dynamic that makes the information more likely to stick. Teachers and students develop a closer mentor relationship within a smaller classroom. In addition, students often feel more confident and comfortable voicing opinions and sharing their answers.

4. Personal Growth

Living away from home and residing on campus in a dorm setting provides invaluable opportunities for personal growth. Boarding school students tend to develop life skills such as time management, work ethic, and independence in an accelerated manner than a public school student. While they receive ample care and guidance from teachers, administrators, and dorm parents, as well as their families, boarding students must take an added level of responsibility for their education. This growth is part of what helps many boarders feel adequately prepared to step into college, where these skills are necessary to succeed.

5. A Learning-Conducive Atmosphere

A boarding school is a hub for learning. Many schools offer ample spaces for students to stretch themselves and put their classroom learning into practice. This includes facilities like performing arts spaces, science labs, athletic fields and courts, and more.

6. Advanced Co-curricular Activities

When you live on campus, you have access to a world of choices for both advanced learning and personal growth. With clubs and activities from language learning and competitive athletics to STEM project clubs and the arts, every student has a chance to get plugged in with their niche interests. This is easier than ever at a boarding school, where residential living encourages students to pursue their hobbies and join groups that match their passions.

7. Social Maturity

Learning and living among a diverse group of peers has the potential to lead to disagreements. Yet this dynamic paves the way for broadened world views and social maturity. Students learn valuable life lessons about connection and conflict. As a result, they’re often more socially prepared and ready to embrace a world full of different people with contrasting points of view.