FAQs

The Small Boarding School Association establishes a forum for personal and professional dialogue, which supports and promotes small boarding schools.

• Eligible schools, whether all boarding or a day/boarding combo, must have a boarding program enrollment of approximately 225 or fewer students. Total school enrollment may be above 225.

• The school must be accredited or in the process of formal accreditation by a state, regional, or national accrediting agency.

• The school must hold non-profit or not-for-profit status.

• The school must be designed for students to complete a full academic year at the school.

• Schools with programs where enrollment is designed for partial, transitional, or temporary instruction are ineligible.

• Educational consultants who share an interest in the unique issues of small boarding schools are also encouraged to attend the conference and become members.

• You will have access to the people you want to see and the opportunity to ask the questions you want to ask. We limit the number of attendees to 200.

• The SBSA conference has the reputation of being one of the most worthwhile and enjoyable conferences you will attend all year.

• From engaging keynote speakers to breakout and chat sessions on myriad topics, there is ample opportunity to dig deeply into themes of personal and professional interest.

• It is most likely the least expensive conference too. We work hard to keep the overhead costs low, so that we can keep your conference costs low as well.

• Levity and fun

• Connections and networking—promoting yourself and your school

• Professional and personal development

• Support

Sample breakout sessions from past conferences:

• Critical Partnership between Counseling and Enrollment

• Transitioning from Wilderness Programs to Small Boarding Schools

• Supporting Students’ Gender Identity Journeys

• Best Practices for Working with an Educational Consultant

• Anxiety and Adolescence: Planning for Success

• Using Neuropsych Assessments as an Admission Tool

• Social Media Savoir Faire

• Consultants’ Chat

• International Student Recruitment

Schools and consultants who want to receive the benefits of SBSA membership can submit an online form, which is also the same application to attend the annual conference.

Your school/business/organization becomes a member when you register for the conference. Conference registration fees update regularly. Please refer to the current conference registration fees if available.

Associate membership is $100 and lasts for one calendar year.

Travel, lodging, and some meals.

The SBSA conference is limited to 200 attendees. Often with a waiting list, typically two-thirds of the registrants are school member, with one-third consultants.

• Membership in SBSA for the year
• Admittance to presentations and social events
• Conference meals:
  • Day 1: Lunch, Appetizers at evening social
  • Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers at evening social
    
  • Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch

• Snacks in between conference presentations.

As a supporting member:

• Your school or an educational consultant will be listed as a current member on the SBSA website.

• You will be able to add the SBSA logo to your website.

• You will be supporting SBSA.

• You will be supporting small boarding schools.

• You may attend any other functions and/or online resources available to all members.

Yes, we offer associate membership for $100.

The list of current members of SBSA can be found here.

Thank you for your interest in joining our board of directors. Please contact us and we will be back in touch with you.