Sleepaway Schools: Public Boarding Schools

Low-income or homeless Chicago kids or those who come from troubled families may have a new option when it comes to their education: public boarding schools.

Still in its early stages, the plan is to offer middle and high school students a worry-free learning and residential environment.

“We want our students to be safe 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Arne Duncan, the chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools. “Some of our students leave school and go home to situations that are not healthy for them. It’s difficult for our children to learn when they are worried or concerned about going home.”

Chicago isn’t the first city to pilot such a program, but it is a bold initiative considering the high price tag. Initiated by Duncan, the program could see its first residential school open in fall 2009.