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Home Boarding

Boarding School Life at Fessenden

Boarding life at Fessenden is a rewarding and fun-filled experience in a close-knit community that truly makes our New England school campus a home.

Everything is a Boy Thing

Here, our boys are challenged to do and be their very best, whether that’s learning how to set priorities, keep their room clean, manage time and expectations, or recognize when they need time to decompress. To board at Fessenden is to grow, mature, and gain independence as a well-rounded student, ready for secondary school and life beyond.

The friendships built here are life-long, with friends and roommates becoming more like family than high school buddies. From fun and challenging days, to family-centered evenings and action-packed weekends, the Fessenden boarding experience is like no other.

Dorm Life - Home Away From Home
boys gather around a fire

Dorm Life
Home Away From Home

When you live in one of our dorms of 11-18 boys, you become part of a small but mighty community. With two faculty/staff families residing on each floor, caring adults are actively engaged in every aspect of dorm life, and they’re supporting you 24 hours a day. Your home away from home centers around this family, with your brothers, your dorm parents, and even their children, easing the transition of being away from home.

“My dorm parents make me feel like part of their family, not just a student.”

—Enrique G., Boarding Student

Faculty-organized evening programming gives you the chance to have some fun and relax, interact with friends in other dorms through sleepovers complete with take-out, celebrate holidays and milestones like birthdays and big wins, and of course make cookies. There is always time for cookies.

Eating on Campus

Eating on Campus

Meals are important—especially to teenage boys—and at Fessenden, they are at the center of our community experience. 

eating on campus

Healthy options for meals and snacks can be found in the dining hall, where everyone gathers. Connection and community are strengthened through mealtime, and at Fessenden, we integrate our dining experience with everything else on campus, from honoring diversity through food and celebration to having fun at the Battle of the Fessy Chefs dinner. When the weather warms up, you will often find everyone outside enjoying a BBQ and lawn games - the perfect way to connect and enjoy our New England campus.

Since boys don’t just get hungry when the dining hall is open, that isn’t the only option. With the opportunity to refuel after sports, Friday Night dorm dinners, or ordering your favorite ethnic take out on a Saturday night, there is always a food adventure waiting.

fun and freedom at fessenden
boarding-boys-outside

Fun and Freedom at Our New England Boarding School

When you live at Fessenden, there is always the opportunity to have fun with activities such as dorm competitions, indoor soccer, floor hockey, open weight room, board games, ping pong, and foosball. And don’t forget day and overnight trips, exploring the world around campus, and digging into fun projects in the Ciongoli Center for Innovation. 

Need some time to relax? Even in a place as packed with activities as Fessenden, there’s downtime. Whether it’s board games or quiet chill time with friends or dorm families, you’ll have many opportunities to take it easy. The choice is yours.

A Day in the Life of Fessenden Boarding Students

weekly boarding schedule

Weekly Boarding Schedule at Fessenden

6:45 a.m. Wake-up
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:50 a.m. Morning Meeting
8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Grades 5–6 Classes
8:00 a.m.–2:50 p.m. Grades 7–9 Classes
2:00–3:00 p.m. Grades 5–6 Early Sports or Guided Study
3:00–4:10 p.m. Grades 5–9 Sports
3:10–4:10 p.m. Grades 5–6 Guided Study
4:10–5:00 p.m. Snack, Shower, Relax
5:00–5:50 p.m. Clubs and Activities
6:00 p.m. Family-Style Dinner
7:00–8:00 p.m. Evening Study
8:00–9:00 p.m. Free Time and Activities
9:30 p.m. Grades 5–8 Lights-Out
10:00 p.m. Grade 9 Lights-Out

5:00–6:00 p.m. Free Time
6:00–6:40 p.m. Dinner
6:45–9:30 p.m. Evening Trips
9:30–10:30 p.m. Free Time
11:00 p.m. Lights-Out

9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Morning Trips
1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30–5:00 p.m. Afternoon Trips
5:30 p.m. Dinner
6:00–9:00 p.m. Evening Trips
9:00–10:30 p.m. Free Time
11:00 p.m. Lights-Out

9:00–10:00 a.m. Brunch
9:30 a.m. Church (optional)
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Free Time
1:00–1:40 p.m. Lunch
1:40–5:00 p.m. Afternoon Trips
5:00–6:00 p.m. Free Time
6:00–6:40 p.m. Dinner
6:45–8:00 p.m. Evening Study
8:00–9:00 p.m. Free Time
9:30 p.m. Grades 5–8 Lights-Out
10:00 p.m. Grade 9 Lights-Out

Note: During their free time, boys can use any of our campus facilities (Center for Innovation, weightlifting and conditioning center, varsity gym, lighted turf fields, squash courts, lighted Tennis Courts), visit friends in other dorms, or find a quiet place to relax.

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Fessenden Shield

Learn more about Fessenden's boarding program