Boarding Schools for Missionary Kids See Decline in Attendance

The trend of missionary families sending their children to boarding schools has significantly declined in recent years, with fewer than 30 of the estimated 150 schools worldwide still offering boarding. David Wilcox, an international director with the Association of Christian Schools International, noted that even among those that offer boarding, the number of students living in dorms is a minority. For instance, Faith Academy in the Philippines has about 575 students, but only approximately 80 board.

This shift is not primarily due to fears of abuse, as some might assume. Steve Moore, president of the Mission Exchange, explained that many missionary groups, including the International Mission Board and the Christian and Missionary Alliance, have implemented strict child safety protocols over the past decade. These measures have helped address concerns about abuse, which gained attention in the fall due to reports of past child abuse at missionary boarding schools.

The role of dorm parents has also evolved. Previously, some personnel were placed in boarding schools because they struggled as missionaries, failing to adapt to local cultures or languages. Today, more individuals are called specifically to the ministry of dorm parenting, which helps reduce the risk of abuse.

Other factors have contributed to the decline in boarding school attendance. Improved resources for homeschooling and the migration of missionary families to urban centers, which offer day schools, have made boarding less necessary. Wilcox noted that most boarding students today are high schoolers seeking the extracurricular opportunities large schools provide.

Nita Zelenak, spokesperson for New Tribes Mission, acknowledged that parents have always sought the best education for their children. “Years ago, missionary parents often had to choose between giving their children a good education and keeping them at home,” she said. Today, NTM operates seven boarding schools, but only 9 percent of their 860-some missionary students board.

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