Delbows-
It is about 5 blocks, but he does live there (no day school option). It is military prep. But with good grades, they earn lots of privileges, so I really see him more than my 15 yr old who lives at home.
Ania-
I feel like I did so much work looking into all these fancy boarding schools for DS 13 (scouring literature and websites, viewing DVDs, even touring one in Colorado). DS had trepidation about living so far away (many were east coast). However, I recently attended a college fair and a young ivy league school representative just Wow-ed me/my son with his ability to speak/answer questions--so articulate! He gave credit to St Paul's in MD? VA? I think there is a real value to the opportunities at fancy preps, but it would never fly with me being the biggest advocate--DS had to want it too.