Boarding at Avon
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Why Choose a Boarding School Experience?
It's an immersive experience.
Each student is nurtured on all levels at Avon. Boarding at the school gives a boy more opportunities because:
- Everything is on one campus: no driving and no wasted time; faculty are available to help your child in the evenings and during the weekends.
- There's little time to waste — but just enough time to still be a kid!
- Your child will meet all kinds of people from around the globe.
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FAQs
Avonians Tell Us About Life at an All-boys School
| I’m not athletic, but I like to join clubs. Would Avon be a good fit for me? |
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| Yes. While we do require all students to be involved on one team per school session, the good news is that you can try a lot of different activities. There are at least three teams per sport so there's always an appropriate team for your ability where you can learn and grow. Additionally, theater and robotics count as teams, as do strength & conditioning, yearbook, and tech crew. And, more good news is that in the fall and spring, our weekly schedule includes a Club Period. There’s really something for everyone. |
| I really like my teachers, but they’re so busy that they don’t really have time to help me outside of class time. How would Avon be different? |
| At Avon, teachers often live in the same building you do. Entire families may live in your dormitory, and they are there for you, like a family. You’ll also eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with your teachers and coaches in the school Refectory, so you see them every day, many times a day. Avon also offers an Enrichment Hour: After dinner from 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, teachers are available in their classrooms to answer questions and give students extra help. That’s a big difference! |
| Will I have time at Avon to do the things I love, like playing an instrument? |
| Absolutely. Boarding school students spend about six hours per week on creative endeavors, like performing music and painting, compared to four hours by private day and five hours by public school students. |
| What do I do if I am homesick or lonely? |
| For most students who go to boarding school, homesickness does not last very long, if it even shows up at all. At the beginning of the year, Avon does a really good job of making sure students meet one another, participate in fun activities to break the ice, and get comfortable in their new surroundings. If you are homesick, there are always older students who know the ropes, and adults who are there 24/7 looking out for you to make sure that you’re okay. In the end, homesickness is totally normal, but it usually only lasts for a little while. |
| Is it hard to make friends? |
| If you feel like it might be hard for you to make friends, remember that there are lots of other new students just like you who feel the same way, and are likely just as nervous as you. Generally speaking, students at boarding schools are eager, open-minded, and adventurous. Most students at Avon find it very easy to make new friends as they begin the adventure of their life. |
| What is there to do on the weekends? |
| Students and faculty work hard to create great options for students on campus each weekend. From dances and mixers, to movies, games, and other activities, Avon makes sure that weekends are action-packed on campus. Weekends are also a time for students to go home, or visit the homes of friends who live nearby. Weekends are also a great time to relax, take a nap, watch TV, and hang out with friends. |
| After my classes end each day, how will I spend my time? |
| Whether it’s the arts, athletics, or another activity, boarding school students are often at their busiest after school. Avon offers a wide variety of options, from traditional sports and arts to Nimrod Club, community service, and much, much more. |
| Is the food any good? |
| Nothing compares to home cooking, but the culinary staff at Avon is an extension of our family. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll find lots of options, and you’ll never go hungry. Many students also order out in the evenings after study hall for a late-night snack! |
Avonians Share What It's Like to Board
| Isn’t boarding school for kids who are in trouble? |
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| No. Boarding school is for students who are looking for more. Students who attend boarding school are often very successful, and truly want to attend. In fact, it’s usually their idea. Ultimately, boarding school is a place where you can do more, try more, and be more. |
| Is it true there is little to no free time each day for my student to relax and just hang out with their friends? |
| Each school is unique, and while most weekdays are fairly structured, there is typically an hour or two of free time each evening. Some schools have Saturday morning classes. But there are many opportunities and events in dorms and classes as well for students to just be teenagers and relax among friends. |
| What’s the process for enrolling in boarding school? Are any special tests required? |
| The process begins by identifying schools either in your general area or that specialize in the talents of your child. Once you visit several campuses, you’ll have a good idea of which schools will provide your student with the best possible educational experience for them. Your child will then take an entrance exam. There are two main tests – the SSAT and the ISEE. Some schools accept both tests, while others accept one or the other. For international students, the TOEFL Junior (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test is required. You can start your journey here. Begin by locating schools in your preferred geographic location and requesting information on the schools that interest you. Then click on the links to the tests your child will need to take. TABS is the best resource for learning all about boarding schools, how to apply and what to expect. |
| As a parent, will I have the opportunity to be involved with my child’s education and community, even if they are far away? |
| Absolutely. Each school has different programs for parental involvement and interaction, but all schools recognize the critical role that parents play in their child’s development during their school years. There are typically many opportunities to visit campus and catch up with your student. While some schools do have policies against cell phone and social media usage, we find that those students quickly adapt to a new schedule full of interesting activities and rarely miss their devices. |
| What channels of communication exist at boarding schools if my child needs to speak with someone confidentially about an issue with a teacher or fellow student? |
| Avon has a full-time school psychologist on campus to meet the needs of all students on a confidential basis. Additionally, Avon offers a wide network of other resources ranging from faculty leadership, student advisers, dorm parents, peer-led honor councils, and off-site counselors that are willing and able to help a student in need, anytime, regardless of topic. |
| Will boarding school prepare my child for real life – to face challenges and have a successful career? |
| Our research shows that boarding school alumni succeed at a higher rate than their public- or private-school peers. In addition, the resiliency that boarding school students build is directly tied to their ability to learn independent living skills and how to be an advocate for themselves. |
| My son is a great kid, but hasn’t applied himself in school. I know he could be successful if he just had the right environment that would challenge and support him. What’s the advantage of an all-boys boarding school? |
| Risk takers by nature, boys find a new comfort level with nontraditional subjects and activities when they are encouraged to do so by trusted mentors within the safety of a close-knit community. Young men, who may not step up in the presence of girls, take on leadership roles at all-boys schools, often heading community service programs or serving as mentors to younger students. Learn more about the ways that all-boys boarding schools teach students based on the way they learn best. |
Where Next?
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Tuition & Financial Aid
Come experience Avon Old Farms, explore our campus, and talk to teachers and students. RSVP to our open house!
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Admissions Portal
Access every step of the application and enrollment process anytime in our Admission Portal.
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Application Process
Thank you for your interest in Avon Old Farms. Follow this step-by-step guide to begin the enrollment process at Avon!
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Open House
Come experience Avon Old Farms, explore our campus, and talk to teachers and students. RSVP to our open house!
