School Life

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

Boarding Schools & Climate/Environmental Education: Are Residential Schools Leading the Way?

Introduction

In an era of accelerating climate change, schools bear a growing responsibility to prepare students not only academically but also environmentally. Among educational models, residential or boarding schools are uniquely positioned to integrate climate education deeply into campus life. But do boarding schools truly lead in environmental education, or is the advantage overstated?

This article examines how, in 2025, many boarding schools are taking leadership roles in climate and environmental education—through curriculum, operations, student empowerment, and institutional partnerships. We also assess constraints and outline best practices that day schools and public systems might emulate.

Why Boarding Schools Might Have an Edge

Boarding schools often enjoy structural advantages that make ambitious environmental programs more achievable:

• 24/7 campus life — Students live on site, so sustainable practices in dorms, dining, energy use, and waste management become part of daily life, not just a classroom add-on.

• Integrated scheduling flexibility — With students available beyond class hours, schools can embed hands-on labs, evening projects, and weekend field expeditions tied to climate education.

• Control over infrastructure — Many boarding schools own large campuses and can renovate or build with sustainability in mind (solar, green buildings, greywater systems).

• Cohesive community culture — Shared values, house systems, dorm rituals can reinforce environmental stewardship in

Boarding Schools and Cell Phone / Social Media Policies: What’s Changing in 2025-26

In 2025-26, boarding schools across the U.S. and around the world are increasingly revising their policies on cell phones and social media use. Growing concerns over student mental health, academic focus, cyberbullying, and digital distraction are driving changes. This article examines what’s shifting, with examples, expert commentary, and guidance for parents, students, and educators.

Key Drivers of Policy Change

Several interrelated factors are prompting boarding schools to update their cell phone and social media policies in 2025-26:

• Mental health concerns: Surveys show rising levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation among youth, often tied to social media use. Boarding schools are responding by restricting or more closely managing access.

• Academic focus and distractions: There is growing evidence that cell phones during instructional or study times degrade attention spans, disruption, and academic outcome.

• Legislation & regulation: At the state and national levels, new laws address age limits, platform responsibilities, and school obligations regarding social media and device use.

• Parental and community pressure: Parents increasingly expect schools to set boundaries on screen time. Students too are vocal in some settings about needing “phone-free” times.

• Equity and fairness: Ensuring all students have similar access, and that device rules don’t unfairly disadvantage those without resources or accommodating special needs, is a growing focus.

U.S. Trends & Legislative / Regulatory Moves

While much of what follows comes from public or day schools, many trends are relevant for boarding schools preparing updates

How Boarding Schools Are Using Generative AI: Rules, Risks, and Rewards for Boarding Students

In 2025, generative AI is no longer a distant concept in academia—it is a reality being woven into boarding school life. From homework help to creative exploration, generative AI tools offer both tremendous promise and serious challenges. In this article, we examine how boarding schools are adapting: the rules they are putting in place, the risks they face, and the rewards available to students, educators, and institutions.

What We Mean by Generative AI in the Boarding School Context

Generative AI refers to computer systems—including large language models (LLMs), image-generation tools, chatbots, etc.—that create new content (text, images, audio) rather than simply processing or retrieving existing content. Examples include tools like ChatGPT (for text generation), DALL·E or Midjourney (for images), and tools that assist with coding, translation, and summarization.

In boarding schools, generative AI can appear in many contexts:

• Academic work: essays, problem sets, lab reports

• Creative work: art, music, storytelling

• Learning aids: summarization, tutoring, revision

• Administrative or support roles: scheduling, feedback generation, mental health chat support

Why Boarding Schools Are Taking Note in 2025

Some key trends and developments:

• Policy urgency: A UNESCO survey found that fewer than 10% of schools or universities globally had formal guidance or policies around generative AI as of early 2024.