I know I never attended residential school, but my husband did, and since he doesnt visit AD, I will just share his experiences here myself: My hubby preferred staying home.
I understand that residential school provides a very different atmosphere where [D]eaf can be [D]eaf, and not be subjected to this awful hearing world. But, like it or not, a parents responsibility is to raise our own children, not to pass our kids off for someone else to raise. And, we all have to learn how to live in this awful hearing world, sooner or later. We can't hide forever!