Some Bolles day students may not know, but there are people who board here and live on campus, and I am one of them. About 78 students from around the world board at Bolles, making up about 10% of students.
Many people enjoy boarding because it allows them to develop strong personal qualities they will need for the future. Living away from your parents at such a young age is a big change and not easy. But boarders do get to sleep a little later than day students. “It’s so much more convenient,” one boarder said. “Having no commute and easy access to my room saves so much time.”
Being away from parents pushes students to be more independent. They don’t have the support of parents doing everything for them, and so it’s up to them to figure out how to do everything, such as simple things like buying groceries and doing laundry. “You have to learn to live away from your family and you learn to take care of yourself and manage yourself with the help of the dorm parents,” one boarder said. But they can’t do everything for you like some parents would.”
Being a boarder in high school can prepare you for dorm life in college. “It’s really fun,” one boarder said. “It also prepares you for college and to live independently and be responsible.”
The majority of boarders appreciate the fact that they can wake up later for school or morning practices, seeing that they live on campus. Also, getting ready for sports practice after school in your room is more comfortable than getting ready in locker rooms. The dorm rooms are spacious and nice compared to other boarding schools. Two people live in each room, and girls have their own bathrooms. Some boys have their own bathrooms as well, but most share communal bathrooms.
The dorm parents, who are Bolles teachers and coaches, live with us in the dorms and take over parental roles while we are here, and they try hard to make our experience here enjoyable and keep us entertained. Common areas are a place for us to relax and have fun together, so we aren’t in our rooms all the time. They feature video game consoles, TVs, ping pong tables, board games, puzzles, and a pool table.
Food is sometimes a sore spot with boarders, who often have to adjust to foods they are not accustomed to at home.
We also have to go through a process of signing in and out anytime we leave campus. This is called a “Reach,” named for an app where boarders log where they are going, who they are going with, how long they’ll be gone, and so on. Some boarders have expressed that it can be a bit annoying, but we are aware that it is for our safety, so the dorm parents know where we are at all times.
Living with some of your friends can also be a plus because you never really feel alone living in the dorms. If you are social, there are always friends around. However, that can be distracting when it’s time to do work. It is tempting to socialize rather than focus on a task you have to do.
Boarding is definitely different from what we are used to in our homes, but all boarders are here for a better education and the majority are also here for a sport. Overall, boarding at Bolles is a good experience, especially when you sleep in until 8 AM and still have time to make it to class at 8:30.
