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��ñ�� Schools & Cell Phone / Social Media Policies: What’s Changing in 2025-26

As residential educational institutions enter the 2025-26 academic year, many boarding schools are rethinking the role of mobile devices and social media in student life. The unique environment of the boarding school means that cellphone and social media policies must reach far beyond classroom hours; they play a role in dormitory life, free time, weekends and students’ well-being. This article examines how these policies are evolving, what’s driving the change, and what parents, students and educators should know.

Why the Shift Now?

Several factors are driving boarding schools to revisit their mobile device and social media guidelines:

• Mental health-and-wellbeing concerns. Growing research links high screen time and social media use to increased anxiety, depression, distraction and diminished sleep among adolescents.

• Academic focus in a residential setting. Since boarding schools house students 24/7, not just during instruction hours, the question of when phones and social media are permitted becomes more complex: meals, dorms, weekends all count. For example, a policy states: “Community members are not permitted to use cell phones during the academic day in active and intentional learning and community environments (e.g., dining hall, chapel).”

• Regulatory and cultural pressures. Certain U.S. states are now enacting “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans during instruction time, signaling broader shifts.

• Parental expectations

Introduction

In 2025, boarding schools face the same teacher retention pressures as day schools—but often intensified by residential demands, extended supervision, and the expectation that faculty engage in boarding life beyond the classroom. Retaining excellent teachers is essential not only for institutional continuity, but for preserving school culture, curriculum coherence, and student outcomes. This article explores strategies for boarding schools to retain great teachers by addressing burnout, compensation, and attraction—drawing on recent research and field examples.

The Challenge: Why Good Teachers Leave Burnout, Workload & Emotional Load

Teacher burnout is a systemic issue—studies find that even modest increases in workload, emotional stress, or control over one’s work correlate with higher attrition.In boarding settings, faculty are often expected to engage as dorm mentors, pastoral guides, or evening supervisors—amplifying workload and emotional labor.

Compensation & Financial Incentives

While higher pay alone is not a silver bullet, strategic compensation can influence retention. A study of voluntary compensation plans showed that differentiated pay based on performance or extra responsibility can reduce turnover in certain settings.Yet many schools lack flexibility to raise base salaries, especially independent or non-profit boarding schools.

Professional Autonomy & Decision-Making

Teachers who lack voice in decisions about curriculum, assessment, or school policies tend to leave. A team-based staffing model combined with decision-making authority showed significantly lower turnover—6.6 % vs 22 % in the study sample. In

Introduction

��ñ�� schools have long appealed to families seeking rigorous academics, structured environments, and global exposure. For students from abroad, however, enrolling in a boarding school involves more than just academic readiness. Challenges such as visa acquisition, long-distance travel, cultural adjustment, and ongoing emotional support require robust institutional infrastructure. In 2025, leading boarding schools increasingly view international support as a strategic priority—and some even market it as a key differentiator. Below, we explore how top boarding schools structure support across four domains: visa & immigration, travel & logistics, culture shock & adjustment, and ongoing support systems.

Visa & Immigration: Foundations of Legitimacy

For many international students, obtaining appropriate immigration status is the first major hurdle. ��ñ�� schools typically engage with this process deeply.

Certification & Authorization

• In the U.S., only SEVP-certified institutions may issue Form I-20, essential for an F-1 student visa. Without this certification, international students cannot enroll legally.

• Once the school issues I-20, families must pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee and schedule a visa interview.

• Schools like CH-CH explicitly note that their Admissions Office handles visa status and issues I-20 and supporting documents.

Document Preparation & Compliance

To satisfy immigration requirements, boarding schools typically assist in preparing:

The Hidden Costs of ��ñ�� School and How to Plan for Them

For many families, boarding school represents an investment in academic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong connections. However, tuition alone does not capture the full financial picture. Parents often underestimate the hidden costs of boarding school—expenses that, while less obvious, can add up quickly.

In 2025, with average U.S. boarding school tuition ranging from $40,000 to $70,000 per year, understanding and planning for these hidden costs is more important than ever. This article breaks down the most common additional expenses and offers practical strategies to prepare for them.

Why Hidden Costs Matter

��ñ�� school tuition typically covers room, board, and academic instruction, but many essentials fall outside that baseline. Families may find themselves facing unplanned bills for travel, extracurricular activities, uniforms, or technology.

Without careful planning, these hidden costs can cause financial strain and detract from the boarding school experience. Identifying them early ensures that families can make informed choices about which schools fit both educational goals and budget realities.

Common Hidden Costs of ��ñ�� School

1. Travel and Transportation

For boarding students, especially those attending schools far from home or abroad, travel is one of the largest recurring expenses. Costs include:

• Airfare or train tickets for school breaks and holidays

• Transportation to and from airports

• ��ñ�� school shuttles

��ñ�� School Costs 101: Hidden Fees, Travel, Dorm Upgrades & What to Budget For

When families weigh the cost of sending a child to boarding school, much of the focus naturally falls on tuition, room, and board. But the true cost often extends well beyond those headline numbers. Hidden fees, travel, dorm upgrades, and everyday expenses can add thousands of dollars more. In 2025 especially, with inflation and evolving student expectations, it’s more important than ever to budget comprehensively.

This guide breaks down what to expect and how to plan, so prospective boarding families can avoid nasty surprises.

Why “Sticker Price” Often Falls Short

��ñ�� school brochures typically list a base cost that includes classes, meals, lodging, and basic services. But that figure rarely includes:

• Technology or computer fees

• Activity or club dues

• Travel to and from school during breaks

• Optional dorm upgrades

• Personal expenses (laundry, snacks, etc.)

According to higher education and student budgeting experts, these “indirect” or “hidden” costs can add $2,000 to $5,000 (or more) annually on top of base charges. () While much of the literature references colleges, many of the same cost categories and budgeting principles apply to boarding schools as well.

Below is a breakdown of key cost categories and typical ranges.