At its inception in 1848, Proctor Academy's mission was to serve the children within the community of Andover, New Hampshire. Today, our community now includes students from nineteen states, fourteen countries, and six continents. Proctor’s shift to being primarily a boarding school in the early 20th century brought with it the development of programs designed specifically for boarding students: Saturday classes, off-campus programs, evening study hall, required afternoon activities/athletics, and weekend activities.

These enhanced programs provide significant educational opportunities for all students (boarding and day). No day school in the country offers the comprehensive programming present at Proctor, and it is the diverse academic courses, integrated academic support, high level athletics and arts programs, and term-long off-campus programs that attracts students from all over the world to Proctor's tiny campus in Andover, New Hampshire.

Living and learning at a boarding school is a unique experience; however, living and learning at a boarding school is even more unique for day students. For Proctor's 80 day students from surrounding towns, life can get complicated as they simultaneously live in two worlds: boarding school and family. As a boarding school, we would be remiss not to provide intentional guidance to our day students as they navigate their years at Proctor.

In talking with current and past day students they identified the following as the most significant benefits and challenges of being a day student at a boarding school:

Benefits:

1. Expanding your network by going to school with kids from all over the world who you would never have the opportunity to get to know by attending a day school.

2. You have the structure and support of the Proctor community as well as the structure and support of your family as well.

3. Having your social life and weekend activities built directly into your life at Proctor.

4. Building lifelong bonds with your classmates by taking part in Proctor’s five term-long off-campus programs, 130 academic courses, 30 art electives, and 30 athletic/afternoon activity offerings.

Challenges:

1. Finding balance in your life at school and your life at home by making sure you are not “living” at Proctor and ignoring your family.

2. Feeling like you miss out on what happens in the dorm in the evenings and at night.

3. School is a six to seven day a week commitment due to Proctor’s schedule.

4. Never having a snow day!

    

Max ‘16, a day student from Andover, summed up what it means to be a day student at Proctor during a student panel at last spring’s Admissions Revisit Day, “At Proctor, it doesn’t even matter whether you are a boarder or a day student - you’re just a Proctor student.” For those day students who have more questions, check out the FAQ’s prepared by our Admission team below.