What is ADHD and how do boarding schools support students with it?

In 2026, there are 166 boarding schools offering programs or support for students with learning differences, including ADHD, which is treatable and typically identified when children start school.

How do boarding schools prepare students for college standardized tests like the ACT?

Most private boarding schools offer test preparation for the SAT, and if you prefer your child to take the ACT, you should notify the school as soon as possible since college testing policies vary by institution in 2026.

What sports opportunities involving rowing do boarding schools provide?

Many boarding schools offer crew, the ancient sport of rowing, which is typically offered in the fall and spring with participation in regional and international regattas such as The Head of the Charles and Henley.

What is the role of a dorm master or residential administrator in boarding schools?

A dorm master, now often called a residential administrator, is a teacher who supervises a residential house, acting as a surrogate parent to provide stability and guidance while ensuring student safety around the clock.

What language support programs do boarding schools offer for students learning English?

Many boarding schools provide ESL classes at intermediate and advanced levels with qualified teachers to help students whose mother tongue is not English learn to speak and write competently.

The Boarding School Glossary

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments

Boarding schools have their own jargon, just like any activity or affinity group has. Here are some of the more common terms and acronyms that you are likely to encounter as you explore boarding schools.

ADD/ADHD

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was previously known as ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder.

In all probability, you won't notice signs of ADHD until your child starts school.
If he exhibits any symptoms of ADHD, the school will bring it to your attention.
The next step is to have him evaluated professionally.
The syndrome is treatable.
There are hundreds of private schools that have experienced, professional staff who can work effectively with children who learn differently.
Explore that option thoroughly.

For 2026, Boarding School Review lists 166 boarding schools offering programs or support for students with learning differences. Families can explore Boarding School Review's learning differences boarding schools and current information about ADHD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This video shows the Forman School's approach to teaching students with learning differences.

ACT

ACT is an acronym for the ACT program.

ACT and the SAT are the two most common college standardized tests of academic readiness for college-level studies.
Most private schools offer test preparation for the SAT.
If you prefer to have your child take the ACT, make sure that you advise the school as soon as you can.

In 2026, college testing policies vary by institution, so students should confirm current requirements with each college.

Crew

Crew is the ancient sport of rowing.

Rowing in shells is a popular sport in many boarding schools.
Typically, crew is offered in the fall and spring.
Schools participate in regional and international competitions called regattas.
Events such as The Head of the Charles and Henley draw rowers from all over the world.
In many ways, Crew is the quintessential team sport. It teaches participants lessons valuable in adult life.
Many boarding schools offer crew as one of their athletic activities.

Day School

The term day school describes a non-residential private school, as opposed to a residential or boarding school.

Dorm Master

If the term sounds a bit scary, it is actually quite the opposite.

A dorm master is a teacher who is in charge of and supervises a residential house of boarding school students.
He or she, in many ways, becomes a surrogate parent, providing stability and guidance for the mercurial adolescents in his care.
Boarding schools take their responsibility for your child's safety and security very seriously around the clock, not just when she is in class.
Residential administrator has replaced dorm master in much of 21st-century usage. Dorm parent, house parent, and residential life staff are also commonly used terms.

Families evaluating residential supervision can learn more in Boarding School Review's The Dorm Parent Interview: 15 Questions Families Should Ask.

For another look at the adults who support students outside the classroom, see A Day in the Life of a Dorm Parent: Inside Residential Faculty Life.

ESL

ESL is an acronym for English as a Second Language.

When a student whose mother tongue is Spanish, for example, learns English, he has to approach it differently from the student whose mother tongue is English.
Many boarding schools offer ESL classes with instruction at the intermediate and advanced levels.
Their ESL teachers have the skills, qualifications, and experience to teach students to speak and write English effectively and competently.

In 2026, you may also encounter terms such as English Learner (EL) and English Language Learner (ELL).

Fieldhouse

A fieldhouse is a term that describes an indoor sports arena where basketball, ice hockey, and other indoor sports are held.

Fieldhouses and other athletic facilities at many boarding schools rival those found at many colleges and universities.
Boarding schools take sports very seriously.
Many schools set aside designated afternoons and weekends for sports.
Both students and teachers participate in a sport at some schools.
That allows students to see their teachers in the role of a coach, helping them to understand the multi-faceted nature of their teachers' responsibilities.

Form

Form is another term for grade. It derives from the British public or private secondary schools.

Form I is seventh grade. Form VI is twelfth grade, and so on.
You will come across the term in many older American boarding schools.

Headmaster

Headmaster or the head teacher is a British term for a high school principal or chief administrator of a high school.

It is commonly used in older, more traditional schools.
The term has been mostly replaced by head of school or director or some other less sex-specific appellation.

House

House is another British term that has emigrated to American boarding schools.

It describes a physical grouping of students in a residential or boarding facility.
It is the essence of the boarding school ethos.
That's because houses provide the structure and social framework within which adolescents interact, compete, and enjoy a range of social activities.

For more information about residential life, Boarding School FAQs address common questions about boarding school academics, activities, support, and daily life.

IB

IB is an acronym for the International Baccalaureate program.

This is a curriculum used by boarding schools as well as other schools around the world.
You will find that the core curricula at many boarding schools concentrate on AP or Advanced Placement courses.

In 2026, the IB Diploma Programme remains an assessed program for students ages 16 to 19 and is offered by authorized IB World Schools.

Here is an overview of the IB program.

ISEE

ISEE or the Independent Schools Entrance Examination, is a standardized admissions test used by many boarding schools.

The test is administered by the ERB (Educational Records Bureau).
ERB is a not-for-profit educational organization providing assessment and other services to schools.

Admissions testing policies vary by boarding school in 2026, so families should confirm each school's current requirements.

ISL

The ISL, or Independent School League, is a group of New England schools that compete in various sports. ISL was founded in 1948.

LD

LD, or Learning Difference, is a term that describes the difference in the way a person's senses and brain process information.

Many boarding schools offer programs for students who learn differently.
Highly trained, well-qualified teachers typically work in very small classes or one-on-one with students at those schools.

Boarding School Review's current directory reports 166 boarding schools offering programs or support for students with learning differences for the 2026-27 school year.

Master

A Master is a teacher. The word is another term that has emigrated from English 'public' schools.

It has its roots in the Latin magister, which means teacher.
The term is commonly used in older, more traditional boarding schools.

NAIS

NAIS or The National Association of Independent Schools, is a national organization that provides data, professional development, resources, and support for independent schools.

PG

The PG, or Post-Graduate Year, is a year students often take after high school before going to college.

Boarding School Review's Understanding the Post-Graduate (PG) Year explains that students may use this additional year to mature socially or academically, improve study and time-management skills, strengthen athletic ability, or prepare more fully for college.

Prep

Prep is short for preparatory.

You will frequently see a school styled So-and-so Preparatory School.

The term comes from the mission of schools that are devoted to preparing their students for the rigorous, college-level academic work.
In the U.S., it refers to K-12 schools with a college preparatory curriculum.

SSAT

The SSAT or Secondary School Admission Test is a widely used standardized admissions test.

In 2026, testing requirements vary by boarding school, and some schools have flexible or test-optional admissions policies. Families should verify requirements directly with each school. Boarding School Review's Admissions: What Do Schools Want? provides additional information about the current admissions process.

TOEFL

TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a test of English language proficiency administered by the Educational Testing Service.

Uni

Uni is boarding school slang for 'uniform.' Uniforms and dress codes are an integral part of boarding school culture at many schools.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the terminology used in the boarding school environment helps make informed decisions about your child's education. With this glossary, you can navigate the boarding school journey with confidence, ensuring your child receives the best possible educational experience.