About Boarding Schools
Student Life
Many boarding school students remark on how well they learn to develop lasting and positive relationships with adults. This is because adults play an important role at boarding schools that goes far beyond teaching. A typical boarding school student is watched and observed by teachers, coaches, dorm parents, counselors, and administrators. Some like to say that no student falls through the cracks at boarding schools. This is because not only do so many adults play active, supporting roles in the lives of students, but it is the job of boarding school staff to meet regularly to share observations and insights on each individual student. Meetings are held to discuss each student’s progress in class, on the sports field, in artist studio, and how they are observed interacting with fellow students. In this way, boarding school students, while challenged on a daily basis to be sure, are not allowed to fail as long as they are able to remain engaged with the school community.
A Typical Day
Students are kept quite busy at North American boarding. Each day includes a good balance of academic and extra-curricular activities, with some free time included. Below is a sample schedule:
7 Wake up
8 Breakfast
8:45-9 Assembly
9-12 Classes
12-1 Lunch
1-2 Classes
2-5 Non-Academic Activity (Athletics, dance, music)
5-6 Dinner
6-7 Free Time
7-10 Study Hall or Evening Activity
10-11 Free Time
11 Lights out
Dorm Parents
At least one adult, trained in child development and first-aid resides with students on their floor. Students are taught that they may approach that adult at any time in the day or night. It is also the dorm parent’s job to check on the well-being of each student, make sure that no unauthorized visitors enter the dormitory, and that each student does their homework.
What kind of student does well at boarding school?
Boarding schools are diverse; no two schools are exactly the same. However, because boarding school students live on campus with their teachers and other students, they have a much better chance of making long-term friendships, and the entire school experience tends to be more ‘intense’ than in public schools.
What kinds of students tend to do well at boarding schools? Most boarding school students are those who have the following attributes:
- Are active learners, and who are involved in many different things. At boarding schools, even students without advanced skills eagerly participate in sports, drama, music, the arts and academic competitions. Skills taught and lessons learned become valuable for a lifetime.
- Like teamwork, and working on projects with others. In boarding schools, teachers and students work together, and students are allowed to use their unique creative skills any way they would like. This sort of collaboration helps to foster a higher sense of creativity, and lets students pursue their true interests.
- Like individual attention from adults, particularly teachers. In a boarding school, you'll have a new ‘family,’ and your teachers will live near you. This means that if you have questions or problems, you know that you can always find a trusted adult nearby.
- Have desire to learn. They look inside themselves to find their true talents, and work hard to develop them to the best extent that they can.
- Like being part of a community. Their boarding school experience will help them make friends they'll keep for their entire life!