What is it like to go to Boarding School in New England? A Guide by Gould Academy

Students work in small groups around a harkness table

Aug 27 2026

Choosing a boarding school is more than selecting a place for education—it’s about investing in a transformative experience that shapes students for a lifetime. At Gould Academy, we go beyond academics, offering a holistic environment where students thrive as learners, leaders, and individuals. From small class sizes and personalized attention to unparalleled opportunities for independence, community, and adventure, Gould is a journey of self-discovery. Here’s how we deliver on the promise of an extraordinary boarding school experience.

What is the average class size at boarding school?

At Gould Academy, our classes average 11 students, but learning opportunities extend far beyond the classroom.

Boarding school increases learning time by extending beyond the traditional school day. Students can extend their learning through conversations with teachers during evening study hours in the library or the Writing Center, or through weekend activities designed to explore topics in more detail. Research shows small class sizes and strong instructor mentorship lead to better academic outcomes. An average class size of 11 means big potential for each and every student.

Do boarding schools build life skills and independence?

Boarding schools build student independence by blending personal responsibility like time management and daily life skills with direct support from dedicated faculty and dorm parents.

At Gould Academy, students learn self-advocacy alongside academic and personal growth. Living in dorms, they master life skills like doing laundry with guidance from dorm parents, work on creative projects in the IDEAS Center makerspace on their own time, or try new activities on the weekend like going on a fly-fishing trip. Gould students learn to balance their time, meet academic commitments, and discover their personal purpose in a supportive environment.

How do students find friends and mentors at boarding school?

Boarding schools cultivate lifelong friendships and strong faculty mentorship through small class sizes, shared residential life, and close daily collaboration between students, teachers, and advisors.

At Gould Academy, small class settings foster deep, lasting connections across campus. A single day might include a Harkness Table discussion in the morning, a lively lunch debate with friends over favorite music, and an afternoon soccer game alongside faculty who serve as both teachers and coaches. Beyond the classroom, the school community and the active Huskies alumni network provide lifelong belonging and personal connections well past graduation.

**Gould Ski Patrol students learn to help injured skiers at Sunday River Resort in Maine.**

How do Boarding Schools help students discover new passions?

At Gould, we offer a safe space to learn, but you’ll find no comfort zones here. When students try new activities, they may discover a passion they never imagined. Whether students are learning to ski, setting a ski race record, or discovering their love of the outdoors when camping in the Mahoosuc Mountains, Gould knows that adventurous spirits find themselves here.

Boarding schools promote personal growth by exposing students to experiential activities. From outdoor recreation to competitive athletics, students engage in a supportive environment that encourages them to step outside their comfort zones.

At Gould Academy, students are encouraged to try new pursuits they might never have considered before. Here are just a few.

Learning to ski at Sunday River
Riding Mountain Bikes at Mt. Abram
Discovering a love for wilderness exploration while camping in Grafton Notch
Fly fishing on the Magalloway River
Becoming a ski patroller
Hiking Mount Katahdin
Doing Science Research on Songo Pond or the Coast of Maine

Students build confidence and lifelong passions through hands-on outdoor adventure.

What community service and global learning opportunities do boarding schools offer?

Boarding schools provide community service by combining local volunteer work with immersive international trips, helping students become leaders, build empathy, and learn civic engagement.

At Gould Academy, civic engagement is built into experiential programs like the Ninth Grade Four Point Program, where students participate in global service projects in places like Senegal and Peru. On campus and locally, students support regional initiatives through programs like Lasagna Love, which combats food insecurity in the local community. These hands-on service experiences help students build character and understand their impact on others.

**Blacksmithing students work in the forge of Gould's Art Cottage**

How is boarding school different from public school?

Boarding schools combine academics, residential living, and co-curricular activities in a single supportive environment, helping students balance coursework with personal interests, wellness, and self-discovery. At Gould Academy, education extends beyond traditional class hours through everyday experiences that help students find the joy in the spaces in between. We also offer a wide range of elective classes that you wouldn’t find in a typical high school. Things like:

Being a student tutor in the Writing Center during evening study hall
Learning traditional blacksmithing in our forge
Taking a weekend trip to see a Portland Sea Dogs game with your baseball coach
Building your own skis or snowboard
Going on a First Friday Art Walk with your ceramics teacher
Going to NASA to compete in a robotics competition
Having a professional visiting writer join your English class, then give a community reading for the Richard Blanco Writers Series
Racing fat tire bikes over the snow at Winter Carnival
Traveling the world with your ninth grade class
Performing on stage with your student-rock band