School Life

Introduction

Boarding schools present a distinctive environment: students live, study, and socialize in a residential community away from home. This immersive setting offers opportunities for growth, independence, and deep peer connection—but it also places heavy responsibility on schools to nurture students’ emotional and psychological well-being. In 2025, as awareness of youth mental health rises globally, parents increasingly expect boarding schools to offer robust mental health resources, not only in crisis but as an ongoing wellness commitment.

This article guides parents through understanding mental health dynamics in boarding settings, assesses exemplary resources and strategies, and offers practical questions to ask schools as you evaluate options.

The Mental Health Landscape in Boarding Schools

Why boarding life can pose unique stressors

While many students thrive in residential communities, certain factors make boarding life especially fertile ground for mental health challenges:

• Separation from family support systems. Being physically distant from parents and siblings can heighten feelings of homesickness, isolation, or emotional stress, especially in the early months.

• Constant social exposure. Students live in proximity to peers, which can amplify interpersonal conflict, social pressure, or difficulties “switching off” from peer dynamics.

• Academic and co-curricular intensity. Boarding schools often combine rigorous academics with many extracurricular demands; the risk of burnout increases when rest and emotional support are not built in.

• Sleep, nutrition, and schedule constraints.

International Students in U.S. Boarding Schools: What Parents Should Know

Sending your child abroad to attend a U.S. boarding school is a major decision—especially for international families. In 2025, with evolving visa regulations, rising tuition, and shifting global competition, understanding the ins and outs of U.S. boarding for international students is more critical than ever. This article guides parents, students, and educators through key considerations, best practices, benefits, and risks of enrolling as an international boarding student in the U.S.

Why Consider a U.S. Boarding School as an International Student

Academic & Preparatory Advantages

U.S. boarding schools often offer:

• Rigorous, college-preparatory curricula (AP, honors, or even IB)

• Close faculty access, small class sizes, and structured academic supervision

• College counseling and alumni networks oriented toward U.S. higher education

• Immersion in English and American culture, which helps transition to U.S. colleges

These elements can give international students a stronger footing when applying to U.S. universities.

Cultural Exposure & Network Building

Living on campus allows students to:

• Forge friendships with peers from across the U.S. and the world

• Develop cross-cultural skills, global mindsets, and independence

• Access extracurriculars, leadership opportunities, and advanced facilities

Many boarding schools in the U.S. actively recruit and support international

Do Boarding School Graduates Have Better College Outcomes?

Parents, educators, and students often wonder: does attending a boarding school improve a student’s prospects in college? The short answer is: often—but with important caveats. In this article, we dig into the evidence, clarifying when and how a boarding school experience may contribute to stronger college outcomes, and when it may not.

What Do We Mean by “Better College Outcomes”?

By “better college outcomes,” we refer primarily to:

• College enrollment rate (immediately after high school)

• Persistence (continuing to year two and beyond)

• Graduation rates (within four, five, or six years)

• Institutional selectivity and degree quality

• Longer-term outcomes (graduate degrees, earnings, leadership roles)

In assessing boarding school impact, we must account for selection effects—students who enroll in boarding schools often already differ in family background, resources, academic readiness, or ambition from peers in day schools or public schools.

What the Research Shows

Historical and Programmatic Studies

One of the more cited studies, commissioned by the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), surveyed over 2,700 students and alumni (boarding, private-day, public) and found that boarding school graduates were more likely to:

• Report strong academic and nonacademic preparation for college

• Enroll and excel in higher education

In The Pandemic: Parents' Concerns About Boarding School (Updated 2025)

Sending children to boarding school has always involved a mixture of excitement and worry. Parents naturally wonder about safety, homesickness, and tuition. But since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped education beginning in 2020, boarding schools have had to adapt in ways that continue to influence policy and parental concerns in 2025.

Today, parents’ questions extend beyond virus protocols to include long-term health preparedness, affordability, student well-being, and the value of in-person education in a digital-first world. Let’s address some of the most common concerns families still raise when considering boarding school in 2025.

Will my child be safe at boarding school?

In 2025, safety at boarding schools means more than protection from illness. While the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, schools have kept many of the practices introduced in 2020. Routine health monitoring, improved ventilation, and upgraded campus medical centers are now standard. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 80% of private schools implemented permanent improvements to air filtration and sanitation systems by 2023, and those investments remain in place (source).

Most boarding schools now employ full-time health directors, some with backgrounds in public health. Regular mental health screenings have become just as common as physical checkups. Parents can expect robust counseling services, expanded wellness programs, and partnerships with local hospitals for rapid response care.

Will my child need health screenings?

While mandatory COVID-19 testing is no longer required, most

Nutrition, Health & Wellness in Boarding Schools: What Parents Should Expect in Student Care 2025-26

As families prepare for the 2025-26 academic year, the conversation around nutrition, health, and wellness in boarding schools has never been more important. Parents increasingly want assurance that their children’s well-being is not only safeguarded but actively nurtured through holistic care. Today’s boarding schools are rising to meet this expectation with robust dining programs, expanded health services, and innovative wellness initiatives that prioritize both the body and mind.

This article explores what parents can expect when it comes to student care in boarding schools, including nutrition standards, physical and mental health resources, and the broader culture of wellness shaping campus life.

Why Nutrition, Health & Wellness Matter More Than Ever

Boarding schools are more than just academic institutions; they are full-time environments where students live, learn, and grow. For many families, the decision to enroll a child in boarding school comes with the expectation that the school will serve as an extended home—providing balanced meals, medical care, fitness opportunities, and emotional support.

In recent years, this focus has intensified due to:

• Rising awareness of adolescent mental health: According to the CDC’s adolescent health research, nearly 42% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Boarding schools are directly addressing these challenges with expanded counseling and wellness programs.

• Nutrition-linked academic