School Life

For boarding school students, and many teachers, the campus is home. Explore dormitory living, get expert advice on learning and living away from home and learn more about what can be done to help your child transition to and succeed in boarding school. Find resources for parents, teachers and students. We’ll cover sustainability, boarding school jargon, and corporal punishment. Read first-hand accounts from parents of boarding school students, find graduation gift ideas, and learn why small classes are effective.

View the most popular articles in School Life:

Boarding School Safety in 2025: Health, Cyber & Campus Life

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Boarding School Safety in 2025: Health, Cyber & Campus Life
Explore how boarding school safety has evolved in 2025, including health protocols, cyber protections, and residential life standards.

Boarding School Safety in 2025: Updated Protocols for Health, Cyber & Residential Life

Boarding school safety remains one of the most important considerations for families evaluating residential education. In 2025, boarding school safety reflects a more comprehensive and sophisticated approach than ever before, integrating physical health safeguards, digital protections, and residential life standards into a unified framework. Parents, students, and educators now expect boarding school safety to address not only emergencies and supervision but also mental health, cybersecurity, and student wellbeing across campus life.

Modern boarding school safety protocols are shaped by lessons learned over the past decade, advances in technology, and evolving expectations around transparency and accountability. Schools are responding with clearer policies, enhanced training, and measurable standards that align with best practices nationwide.

Health and Wellness Protocols in Boarding School Safety

Health considerations continue to play a central role in boarding school safety in 2025. While pandemic-era restrictions have largely eased, schools have retained many health-focused practices that proved effective in protecting student populations living together.

Preventive Care and Medical Infrastructure

Boarding school safety now includes robust on-campus medical services supported by off-campus partnerships. Most schools maintain:

  • Licensed nurses available around the clock

  • On-call physicians or telehealth access

  • Formal relationships with local hospitals and urgent care centers

Preventive care has expanded beyond basic first aid. Routine screenings, vaccination compliance, and individualized care

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Sustainable Boarding Schools: Green Dorms & Eco Learning

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Explore how sustainable boarding schools use green dorms, renewable energy, and eco-curriculum to prepare students for a responsible future.

Sustainable Boarding Schools: Green Dorms, Renewable Energy & Eco-Curriculum

As environmental responsibility becomes a defining priority for families and educators, Sustainable Boarding Schools are gaining prominence across the independent school landscape. These institutions integrate sustainability into campus design, operations, and academics, creating immersive learning environments that reflect the challenges students will face beyond graduation.

In 2025, Sustainable Boarding Schools are no longer experimental. They are shaping best practices in residential education, combining rigorous academics with environmental stewardship. This article explores how Sustainable Boarding Schools implement green dorms, renewable energy systems, and eco-curriculum, while highlighting why sustainability has become a critical factor for families evaluating boarding school options.

What Defines Sustainable Boarding Schools

Sustainable Boarding Schools approach environmental responsibility holistically. Sustainability is embedded into decision-making at every level, from facilities planning to academic programming.

Common features of Sustainable Boarding Schools include:

  • Energy-efficient campus buildings

  • On-site renewable energy generation

  • Water conservation and waste reduction systems

  • Sustainability integrated across the curriculum

  • Student leadership in environmental initiatives

Because boarding campuses operate year-round, Sustainable Boarding Schools have both a larger environmental footprint and a greater opportunity to model responsible practices. Students experience sustainability as part of daily life, not just classroom discussion.

Green Dorms: Sustainable Living Spaces

Dormitories are a central focus for Sustainable Boarding Schools. Green dorms

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Boarding vs Day School: Which Is the Better Investment?

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Boarding vs Day School: Which Is the Better Investment?
Boarding vs Day School costs, value, outcomes, and ROI explained for families weighing today’s educational investment.

Boarding vs Day School: Which Is the Better Investment in Today’s Economy?

Choosing between a boarding school and a day school has always been a significant family decision. In today’s economy, marked by persistent inflation, rising tuition, and increased competition for college admission, the conversation has shifted from preference to investment. Parents are asking not only which environment best fits their child, but also whether boarding vs day school delivers stronger long-term value.

This article examines boarding vs day school through the lens of cost, outcomes, academic value, social development, and return on investment. By understanding how boarding vs day school options differ in 2025, families can make informed, financially sound decisions aligned with their educational priorities.

Understanding the True Cost of Boarding vs Day School

When evaluating boarding vs day school, tuition is the most visible difference. However, the total cost of ownership varies more than many families expect.

According to data summarized on BoardingSchoolReview.com, average annual boarding tuition in the U.S. now ranges from $55,000 to $75,000, while private day school tuition typically falls between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on region and grade level. A helpful overview of boarding tuition trends can be found in this Boarding School Tuition Guide on boardingschoolreview.com.

Yet tuition alone does not tell the full story of boarding vs day school expenses.

Typical cost components include:

  • Tuition and fees

  • Housing and meals

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Balancing Boarding Life and Independence: Student Transition Guide

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Balancing Boarding Life and Independence: Student Transition Guide
A clear, practical guide to balancing boarding life and independence, offering transition tips for students and families in 2025.

Balancing Boarding Life and Independence: Transition Tips for Students

Balancing boarding life and independence is one of the most meaningful developmental steps a young person can take. The transition introduces students to a structured residential community that encourages responsibility, self-management, and personal growth. At the same time, it requires learning new routines, navigating social and academic expectations, and developing confidence away from home.

This guide examines how students can approach balancing boarding life and independence with clarity and resilience. It incorporates updates relevant to 2025, insights from educators, and strategies that help families prepare for the move.

Throughout this article, the phrase boarding life and independence is used regularly to reflect a central theme for students entering residential school environments.

Understanding the Transition to Boarding Environments

Moving into a residential community represents a significant shift from day-to-day home routines. Students stepping into boarding life and independence often encounter new expectations around time management, study habits, and social interactions. The transition can be exciting, but it may also bring uncertainty.

Boarding schools emphasize community responsibility, academic rigor, and personal accountability. Parents and students can explore the structure of boarding programs in more detail through resources offered on BoardingSchoolReview, which outlines what students can expect in their first year.

Key elements of the transition include:

  • Learning to manage schedules without parental reminders

  • Navigating shared living spaces

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Myths Debunked

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Myths Debunked
Explore updated 2025 facts about boarding schools—cost, diversity, academic outcomes—and debunk common myths for parents and students.

Boarding School Myths Debunked (2025 Edition)

Choosing a boarding school is a major decision for families. Yet despite the growing number of students and evolving school models, many outdated beliefs persist. In this 2025 edition of “Boarding School Myths Debunked,” we revisit common misconceptions about boarding schools—cost, diversity, academic rigor, student independence—and update the record with the latest data, policies and real-world examples. Whether you are a parent, student, or educator, this article will help you separate fact from fiction in today’s boarding school landscape.

Myth 1: Boarding schools are unaffordable for all but the wealthiest familThe Wall Street Journalies

Reality: While sticker prices remain high, financial aid and income-based models are making boarding schools more accessible in 2025.

Sticker tuition for full boarding often falls in the $60,000 to $80,000 per year range. For example, typical five-day boarding averages around $55,425, and seven-day full boarding averages about $69,150 nationally. Boarding School Review
At high-end schools:

  • The Lawrenceville School reports boarding tuition of $79,500 for 2024-25; about 34 % of students receive financial aid, with average boarding grants over $60,000. Wikipedia

  • Blair Academy lists 2025-26 tuition of $78,980, 36 % of students on aid, average boarding grant ~$54,896. Wikipedia

Moreover, many schools now use sliding-scale income caps and full-need policies. A notable example: Deerfield Academy offers free tuition to U.S. families earning under ~$150,000

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Recent Articles

Hybrid Boarding Models Explained for 2026
Hybrid Boarding Models Explained for 2026
Explore hybrid boarding models, including weekday-only, flex boarding, and modular residency, with 2026 insights for families.
Boarding School Student Leadership in Residential Life
Boarding School Student Leadership in Residential Life
Explore how boarding school student leadership builds responsibility through residential life, mentorship, and real-world accountability in 2026.
Boarding School Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide 2026
Boarding School Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide 2026
Updated boarding school financial aid guide for 2026, with costs, scholarship strategies, planning timelines, and expert insights for families.

Featured Schools

Featured Schools

School Life

FOR PARENTS
This section covers issues and concerns for parents of boarding school students. Explore corporal punishment, get expert advice on preventing hazing, and read first-hand accounts from parents. Learn what to do if things go wrong, see what boarding school students do in the summer, and get words of wisdom from a reluctant parent.
FOR STUDENTS
Here you’ll gain knowledge about student life at boarding school. User our glossary of terms to learn boarding school jargon, discover the importance of a partnership between school, parent and child, and find great gift ideas for the boarding school graduate.
FOR TEACHERS
The articles in this section are related to teaching at a boarding school. Learn more about what is being taught, why small class sizes work, and the impact of sustainability on boarding schools. You’ll find a list of eBooks about boarding schools, be able to view pictures of boarding school life, and explore course offerings.