We believe so strongly in the benefits of living and learning in community that we require all students who enter Westtown in 8th grade or later to live on dorm in 11th and 12th grade. No other boarding/day school makes this commitment. And though some of our boarding students live near the school, most of our boarding students are on campus through the weekend and many of our day students come to campus to join in weekend events.

Our residential program develops students who are exceptionally well prepared for college. Our alums attest to the transformational aspects of living on dorm, and to the preparedness they felt upon entering college. Colleges know this as well. Westtown students are known for their readiness to live away from home, their academic preparedness, their established study skills, and their leadership abilities.

We have over 220 years of experience providing an exemplary residential experience for students, and we know that there is no better way to learn and grow. Here’s why:

Outstanding and authentic preparation for college and life beyond school
Living in a diverse community with students from around the block and around the world, and with students of many racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds expands one’s world view; students learn to value difference
Learning independence, decision-making skills and self-sufficiency in a safe, supervised environment — we call it supervised independence; 100% of surveyed alums say that they were better prepared for dorm life than their peers
Honing excellent study habits gained in mandatory evening study halls; 96% of our alums who boarded say that they were better prepared for college than their peers
Supportive, attentive adults 24/7
A robust selection of weekend activities
9 out of 10 of our alums complete college in 4 years at one school (in comparison to the national average of 56 percent in 6 years) – and they tell us their residential experience was a key element

Being a Day Student at a Boarding School

Day students at Westtown have many opportunities to reap the benefits of a boarding school. They are welcome to come early for breakfast or stay late for dinner and to stay for evening study halls. They can sleep over in the dorm with permission and many take advantage of this throughout the year. Day students enjoy the feeling of being part of a bustling and energetic campus that includes time after classes for athletics, clubs, theater, music, and socializing in a vibrant global community.

Weekends at Westtown

Let’s not forget weekends! Both day and boarding students enjoy weekends at Westtown. We know that you need breaks from academics, so we provide time to relax and play. The weekend activities are student driven, and organized by the Weekend Coordinators and by the Weekend Program Heads, student leaders who are always thinking of new, fun things to do — and any student can suggest an activity!

Explore Weekends at Westtown →

Host Family Program

With nearly 75% of our Upper School students boarding and 17% of those students being international students, the Westtown Host Family Program is an important element of our community. Host families at Westtown offer some home hospitality for boarders from afar and give the students an experience not just of American family life, but of the Westtown community as well.

Learn more about our Host Family Program →