Not quite Hogwarts but...

[Joywitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 6242

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, foxmoth at q... wrote:
> Today's LA Times has a story about the efforts of real life British 
> boarding schools to attract American students, capitalizing on the 
> popularity of the HP series.
> 
> http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/20001130/t000114956.html

Before reading this article, I noticed an ad in todays Washington 
Post for a boarding school fair to be held at the Mayflower Hotel; 
the first time Ive seen such an ad, although the above article 
mentions a previous boarding school fair also at the Mayflower.  I 
also read an article a few months back which claimed, somewhat 
opposite to the above article, that within England kids are more 
interested in boarding schools; and that enrollments are increasing 
due to the popularity of HP.

The point being that there seems to be a lot more interest in English 
boarding schools these days, which is ironic as JKR has stated that 
she does not really think boarding schools are a good idea and does 
not advocate children attending them.

So, what do we think about boarding schools, people?  Personally, I 
am fascinated by them, and part of the appeal of the HP books to me 
is the same as the appeal that Tom Browns Schools Day and other books 
about English boarding schools have always had for me.  I think it is 
the idea of kids living (sort of) on their own that has always made 
those books fascinating to me.  On the other hand, I would never want 
to go to any of those schools or send my kids to them.  It is a nice 
fantasy but I think children are better of when they are part of a 
supportive, close family, especially in their teenage years.  Then 
again, if a kid has a crappy, dysfunctional family they might be 
better off at a boarding school.  And I have acquaintances who live 
in a small town who sent their younger daughter to boarding school, 
at her request, because the academic opportunities at the local 
schools were very limited.  (or maybe she is a witch...hmmmmm)

--Joywitch