Frequently Asked Questions About Boarding Schools
The term PG refers to a Post Graduate student. This is a student who has already graduated from high school and is doing one year of studies at an independent school before attending college. At an independent boarding school, this important year can help better prepare a student by being away from home, with the potential to grow in a structured environment: academically, athletically, artistically, socially, physically, socially, etc.
Often schools refer to their academic grades as Form. For example, at some schools, a Third Former may be a Ninth Grade Student (Freshman), while a Sixth Former would be a Twelfth Grade Student (Senior).
Advisors are faculty who oversee a group of students in their everyday life at an independent boarding school. They play a very important role as they help to guide their advisees with daily guidance and support. They also serve as the direct contact for the students’ families.
Dormitory rooming accommodations often vary among each school as some students live in double accommodations with roommates, while other students may have a single room.
Schools provide washing machines and dryers for you to do your laundry.
Additionally, schools often provide the option of signing-up for laundry services with an on outside vendor. This service includes the scheduled weekly dirty laundry and linen pick-up and return delivery of clean laundry.
Students have classes Monday through Friday, with some schools also having a half day of classes on Saturday. Additionally, many schools also have a half day of classes on Wednesday, allowing for a longer period of time for afternoon activities and sports (away travel, athletic competitions, rehearsals, meetings, studio work, etc.).
Senior students who have the leadership role to help assist the dorm parents in overseeing dormitory life at the school are often referred to as Proctors.
Some independent boarding schools do not have a specific admissions deadline, but rather they make their admissions decisions upon the completion of an application. This is referred to as rolling admissions.
Independent boarding schools which go up to Ninth Grade are referred to as Junior Boarding Schools. These schools offer wonderful opportunities for many students. Upon graduating, students from Junior Boarding Schools often continue their boarding school education at secondary schools throughout the United States and Canada.
While almost all schools allow cell phones, they often have specific policies in place with regards to students’ use of technology.
Schools will often help arrange for students to be able to attend weekly off campus church/synagogue religious services, and if requested, religious education classes (i.e. Confirmation classes, Bar and Bat Mitzvah classes, etc.)
Monitored evening study halls play an important role in the structure of the day. This quiet time affords students the opportunity to study and work on their homework. This is also a popular time for students to receive extra-help from their teachers.