From Latin to Boarding School

Many students come to Latin and immediately love the opportunities offered. However, change can be a good thing, and some students want to try a new school. Boarding school seems to be a popular solution.

Jane Harrell, currently at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, and Kemp White,’20, a former student at The Hotchkiss in Salisbury, Connecticut, had drastically different experiences at boarding school. Both students started out at Latin, but only one returned.

“My experience at St. Paul’s has truly been amazing,” Harrell said. “The academics have definitely been challenging, but have opened me up to wanting to try new things and work harder.”

Harrell has really valued her experience being a student at St. Paul’s, and she plans to stay there for the remainder of her high school years. She is especially thankful for the students that made her transition smooth.

“It was really hard for me when I first got here because I was super homesick and missed my friends and family from back home. As time went on, I met amazing people who helped me through it,” Harrell said.

According to BoardingSchools.com, 95% of boarding school students find their academic experience satisfying.

“I don’t think there was any one moment in specific that I realized it was for me,” Harrell said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what it would be like if I was still home, and miss my friends and family, but I have zero doubt in my mind that St. Paul’s is the place for me.”

White, who transferred back to Latin this year, learned that her boarding school was not the best match for her.

“I initially desired to go to boarding school because of the many experiences I would have. I would be able to learn with a wide range of views being represented. I also loved the idea of independence,” White said.

White spent months throughout her eighth grade year looking and researching schools. She fell in love with the

thought of Hotchkiss and was drawn to the idea of being able to live on her own at boarding school and meet people from all walks of life. However, she realized that the curriculum program was not ideal for her.

“I don’t believe boarding school was a bad choice, but I believe that Hotchkiss just wasn’t the right school,” White said.

The rigorous school work and opportunities for independence were not worth losing the feeling of belonging at Latin. White felt that the workload at Hotchkiss was too high and not worth it in the long run.

“I did not want to compromise my social life for solely an academic one.” White said.

According to BoardingSchools.com, 44% of boarding school students achieve positions in top management by mid-career compared to 22% of private day students. Of course, this statistic includes some private day schools below Latin’s academic level, but for White and Harrell, boarding school education was a bit of an adjustment.

“They constantly pressured us to perform academically and on the sports field. In addition, there was no community or family feel,” White said.

White experienced a significant amount of stress because of the amount of pressure put on her and the other students. After a year spent at Hotchkiss, White is happy to be back where she feels like she belongs.

“I am very happy with my decision to switch back to Latin,” White said. “I love how Latin teachers treat their students and are dedicated to the learning process instead of the grade a student produces or which college they attend.”

Boarding school may not be for everyone, especially because certain students desire to live the “normal” high school life at home. Every student’s school experience will be different, so it is important to gather opinions from experienced students to help choose your path.