Advice for Parents

It is important for parents and families to remember their part in the success of any OBI student. Experience has taught us that your attitude and actions often are the difference between success and failure.

Admissions Process

Tell the truth
During the admissions process, we ask for many different kinds of information. Please be candid, honest and forthright with us. If we discover that important information has not been provided, particularly information about the appropriateness of the student for OBI, it decreases the chances of the child being admitted. Also, please do not minimize or distort your child's situation.

Secure all records/information
It is the responsibility of the family to request all school records and other information needed as determined during the telephone interview.

Keep us informed of changes or problems
We understand that the process of getting information together may take more time than you would wish. If you are having problems securing information, please keep us informed. Also, please tell us of any important changes in the life or situation of your student that may affect his or her admission.

Be Patient
The process takes time. We want your student to be enrolled at the time that is best for the student and for us. Sometimes parents want students enrolled sooner than we can enroll them. Be patient and we will work on admissions as quickly as is prudent and possible.

Orientation/Interviews

On-Campus Orientation
1. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and prospective students must attend orientation to enroll.
2. Siblings as well as other family members are welcome to attend.
3. This information is vital to the success of each student, and helps the rest of the family learn about our school..

Be honest and candid
During the interview process, we are making many important judgments and evaluations. Please help us to understand your situation and your child's needs. Some questions may be about situations where families and students disagree, and we want to hear all points of view.

Interview of student
During the orientation day, there is an interview of the student without any family present. During this solo interview, the student is asked if he/she agrees to enroll. If the student absolutely refuses to enroll, we will not enroll him/her. This does not mean we do not enroll students with serious reservations! But absolute refusal is a problem that we feel must be worked out by the family.

Acceptance or non-acceptance
Occasionally, the student/family interview alone will result in a student not being enrolled. This is rare, but does happen, and you should understand that this usually occurs when an interview with a student reveals a much different person than we were considering in the applications process.

Starting out at OBI

First weeks
The first few weeks of boarding school are a tough adjustment for everyone involved. Homesickness is real, and parents miss their kids more than they anticipated. We limit phone calls during the first 30 days, and this can be frustrating for everyone. Please support us in this and understand that too much phone contact with family during the early period of adjustment usually destroys any chances of actually adjusting and getting down to the business of school, new friends, new activities, etc. Students may write during this time as much as they choose, including the use of e-mail privileges a few times per week.

Perception
Don't present OBI as a punishment, but as an opportunity. Be complimentary of your child in coming this far in a new and difficult adventure. Remind them of the rewards of accomplishment. Don't lose your temper if your child becomes ugly or frustrating over the phone. Remember your goals. Help your child understand what the real situation is and not just their frustrated feelings of the moment.

Care packages
Please do send food and other packages. This helps immensely in the adjustment process.

Emotional blackmail
When you do talk to or hear from your student, please be moderately skeptical of outlandish claims of mistreatment and conditions. The dorm houseparents will be happy to talk with you about any problems your child reports. Be sympathetic, but don't say "If you don't feel better, I will come and get you." Instead, be supportive, but firmly committed to your child adjusting and succeeding as thousands of others have done. Encourage your child to solve problems by going to adults, and stay with the plan for your child to be here and succeed here.

Responsibility and independence
Remember that we are telling your child to do the basics: Get up on time, go to school, do their work, get a job or sport, be involved in activities, make new friends, solve problems quickly, stay out of trouble. Help us reinforce these proven goals.

Visits
We would recommend that campus visits not include friends or girl/boyfriends during the early weeks here. Again, this tends to undermine the adjustment process.

Education for Time and Eternity