The Complete Boarding School Campus Visit Guide

A campus visit shows you the buildings. It does not show you what everyday life there looks like.

All 103 questions, in ten categories, to use on your campus visits. Start with your family's three highest priorities, take notes, and follow up on anything that remains unclear.

Download the checklists

Student-athletes are still boarding school students first. Athletic families download both resources. Families without specialized athletic interests download only the general checklist. The student-athlete checklist is a companion to the general checklist, not a replacement.

Student-athletes are still boarding school students first. Their families need to evaluate academics, residential life, emotional well-being, and overall fit, not just sports. Athletic families download both resources. Families without specialized athletic interests download only the general checklist.

The student-athlete checklist is a companion to the general checklist, not a replacement.

How to use this guide

Start with your family's three highest priorities. You don't need to ask every question during one visit. Focus on what matters most, take notes, and follow up on anything that remains unclear.

How to interpret an answer: a specific answer is useful. A named person, a regular meeting, a clear step, a grade or a timeline, tells you more than a general assurance. If a school says "we can work that out," ask how, for your child, in what grade, and by when. Write down what you observed, what the school confirmed, and what you still need to verify.

This guide is all the questions, in ten categories. It does not repeat the article. For the seven things to pay attention to on a tour, read What a Boarding School Tour Won't Show You.

The Complete Question Bank

Use the general checklist for every family, and add the student-athlete checklist if your child is a competitive athlete. The questions below are the complete bank from the original 103-question checklist, sections 1-10, in full. No question was cut here.

Academics & Learning Opportunities

Will my child be challenged, supported, and able to explore their interests?

What to Look For

• Classes and teaching methods that suit your child's learning needs.
• Courses that match your child's abilities and academic goals.
• Electives and specialized programs that allow students to explore new interests.

Essential Questions

• What specialized courses or electives are available in my child's areas of interest?
• Can students explore new subjects before deciding what to study in college?
• Are these courses offered regularly, and are there prerequisites or enrollment limits?
• How are students placed into academic levels, and can they move between levels?
• What happens when a student struggles academically or needs additional challenges?

Additional Questions

• Are independent research, internships, or hands-on learning opportunities available?
• Is tutoring or individualized learning support available? Does it cost extra?
• How accessible are teachers outside class?

For International Students or Students Needing English-Language Support

• What level of English is required for admission?
• Are English proficiency tests required? Which tests are accepted?
• Does the school offer English-language support, such as ESL or ELL classes?
• Can students receive language support while taking regular academic classes?
• Will previous academic credits transfer, and can my child meet graduation requirements within the intended enrollment period?

Campus Facilities & Learning Spaces

How well does the campus support everyday student life?

What to Look For

• Well-maintained classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and study areas.
• Comfortable spaces for studying, socializing, and relaxing.
• Dining facilities that meet your child's needs.
• Athletic, artistic, and recreational facilities relevant to your child's interests.

Essential Questions

• Which facilities can students use outside scheduled classes and activities?
• Are there restrictions on access to specialized facilities or equipment?
• Are study spaces available during evenings and weekends?

Additional Questions

• Can the dining program accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?
• Are any major renovations planned?

Student Life & Community

What will my child's life look like outside the classroom?

What to Look For

• Students interacting naturally with classmates and adults.
• Opportunities to participate in clubs, activities, and school traditions.
• A community where your child could feel comfortable and included.

Essential Questions

• What does a typical weekday look like after classes end?
• What do boarding students actually do on weekends?
• How many boarding students stay on campus during weekends?
• How are new students helped to make friends and become involved?

Additional Questions

• Can students try new activities without previous experience?
• How much free time do students typically have?
• What opportunities are available for student leadership?

Emotional Well-Being & Belonging

Who will notice if my child is struggling to adjust?

What to Look For

• Students appear comfortable approaching adults.
• New students have opportunities to build friendships.
• The school can explain how it responds to social or emotional difficulties.

Essential Questions

• How does the school help new students adjust to boarding life?
• What happens when a student feels homesick, lonely, or excluded?
• How do adults recognize when a student is struggling socially or emotionally?
• How are conflicts between students addressed?

Additional Questions

• What happens if a student has difficulty making friends?
• How are international students supported as they adjust to a new culture?

One important question: If my child has a difficult day here, who will notice, and what happens next?

Boarding & Residential Life

What will living at this school actually be like?

What to Look For

• Dormitories and shared spaces are comfortable and well maintained.
• Students have appropriate privacy and places to relax.
• Residential expectations and supervision are clearly explained.

Dormitories & Roommates

• How are students assigned to dormitories?
• How are roommates matched? Does the school use student questionnaires or preferences?
• Can students request a different roommate if problems arise?

Daily Residential Life

• Who supervises the dormitories, including evenings and weekends?
• What are the rules for curfews, study hours, visitors, and personal responsibilities?
• How do students manage laundry and other everyday needs?

School Breaks & Closures

• Which school breaks require students to leave campus?
• What options are available for students who cannot travel home?
• Does the school help arrange alternative accommodations?
• Are there additional costs for travel or accommodations?

Additional Questions

• Are single rooms available, and how are they assigned?
• What are the rules for phones and communication with family?
• What happens if the school closes unexpectedly?

Athletics & Extracurricular Development

Will my child have realistic opportunities to participate, improve, and balance their commitments?

For Student-Athletes

Competition & Participation

• What level of competition does the school offer?
• How are students evaluated and selected for teams?
• What opportunities might realistically be available for my child to compete and develop?
• Does the school require students to participate in sports or activities during all three seasons?
• Can students specialize in one sport year-round?
• What training is available outside the main competitive season?

Coaching & Development

• What is the coaching staff's experience and approach to player development?
• Is structured strength and conditioning available?
• Are individual training plans available?
• What would my child's typical weekly training schedule look like?

Academics & Athletic Travel

• How does the school support athletes who miss classes because of competitions or tournaments?
• How are missed assignments and tests handled?
• How do teachers and coaches coordinate when students travel?

A particularly useful question:

If my child misses two or three days of classes for a tournament, what happens to their assignments, tests, and academic responsibilities?

Additional Athletic Questions

• What support is available for sports nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention?
• Are athletic trainers or sports medicine professionals available?
• How are injured athletes supported during recovery?
• Can students participate in outside clubs, private training, or showcases?

For Students Interested in Other Activities

• What opportunities exist in music, theater, art, robotics, debate, or other interests?
• Can students participate without previous experience?
• Are auditions, prerequisites, or other restrictions involved?
• Can students pursue advanced development in their chosen activities?

Advisory System, Student Support & Safety

Who will know my child well, and how will the school keep us informed?

Advisory System

• Is every student assigned a faculty advisor?
• How are advisors assigned, and how many students does each advisor support?
• How often do advisors meet with students?
• How and when do advisors communicate with parents?
• Can a student request a different advisor if the relationship isn't working?

Health & Safety

• What medical and counseling services are available?
• Can students access support during evenings and weekends?
• What happens when a student becomes ill or injured?
• When are parents notified about serious concerns?
• How does the school address bullying and student safety?

Additional Questions

• How do teachers, advisors, coaches, and dorm parents share concerns?
• What responsibilities does the advisor have beyond monitoring academic performance?

One important question: Who will know my child best, and how will that person stay informed about their academic, social, and residential experience?

Location, Transportation & Accessibility

How practical is this school's location for our family?

What to Consider

• Distance from airports or train stations.
• Transportation arrangements and associated costs.
• Access to medical services and everyday necessities.
• Opportunities for family visits.

Essential Questions

• How far is the school from the nearest major airport or train station?
• Does the school arrange transportation for arrivals, departures, and school breaks?
• Are there additional transportation fees?
• How are medical appointments and other essential off-campus needs handled?

Additional Questions

• Can students leave campus during weekends?
• What supervision or permission is required for off-campus activities?

College Counseling & Future Opportunities

How will the school help my child prepare for life after graduation?

Essential Questions

• When does individualized college counseling begin?
• How many students does each college counselor typically support?
• How does the school help students build realistic college lists based on academic goals, interests, and family budget?
• What support is provided for applications, essays, recommendations, and interviews?
• How does the school guide families through college costs, scholarships, and financial aid options?

Additional Questions

• How often do students meet individually with college counselors?
• What guidance is available for international students applying to U.S. colleges?
• Are internships, career exploration, mentorship, or alumni connections available?

For Student-Athletes

• What support does the school provide for students interested in college athletics?
• How does the school help students understand NCAA eligibility and recruiting requirements?
• Can the school share examples of how it has supported students with similar academic and athletic goals?

One useful question: How has the school helped a student with goals similar to my child's prepare for college or another postsecondary pathway?

Overall Fit & Financial Reality

Does this school make sense for our child and our family?

Consider the Full Experience

• Academic program matches my child's needs.
• Activities and opportunities match my child's interests.
• Student community feels appropriate.
• Residential life suits my child's personality and independence.
• Student support meets our expectations.
• Location and travel are manageable.
• Total cost is realistic for our family.

Essential Financial Questions

• What is the estimated total annual cost, including tuition, boarding, and required fees?
• What additional expenses should families expect?
• Is financial assistance available, and what are the eligibility requirements?
• If assistance is offered, what conditions apply to renewal?

Additional Questions

• What are the deposit and payment requirements?
• What are the withdrawal and refund policies?

One Revealing Question for Admissions

Based on what you've learned about my child, are there any reasons this school might not be the right fit?

After the Visit

Ask your child, before you share all your own impressions:

1. Could you imagine yourself living here? Why or why not?
2. What made you feel comfortable or excited?
3. Was there anything that concerned you?
4. Did you feel you could be yourself here?
5. What would you still like to know?

Then, for each school, note: how it met your three priorities, what your child liked and disliked, any concerns, and what you still need to verify. Distinguish what you observed, what the school confirmed, and what you still need to check.

A strong first impression is not the same as a good fit.

The school that impresses you most on tour is not always the one where your child will do best. You learn that by watching how students treat each other when no one is giving a tour, asking how the school responds when things go wrong, and writing down what you saw before the next campus blurs it.

Download the checklists

Student-athletes are still boarding school students first. Athletic families download both resources. Families without specialized athletic interests download only the general checklist. The student-athlete checklist is a companion to the general checklist, not a replacement.

Global Education & Sports Partners (GESP) helps domestic and international families explore U.S. boarding school options based on each student's academic needs, athletic interests, personal goals, and family budget.

Take the GESP Boarding School Assessment at gespeducation.com/assessment.