When people think of a private boarding school, they often picture ivy-covered buildings, rigorous academics, and tightly structured days. While that’s part of the history, there are invaluable life skills students develop by living and learning away from home. Beyond textbooks and tests, boarding school students grow into capable, confident, and independent young adults. 

From advocating for themselves to managing busy schedules and embracing cultural diversity, here are seven things boarding school students know how to do—skills that stick with them long after graduation.

1. Advocate for Themselves

Need extra help in math? Feeling overwhelmed? Boarding students learn how to advocate for what they need.

2. Talk to Adults with Confidence

Whether it’s asking a teacher for help or talking to a dorm parent, they get comfortable communicating with authority figures.

3. Learn Basic Life Skills

Boarding school students learn to handle the basics—laundry, organizing their stuff, remembering what’s due, sticking to a schedule, and going to eat—all on their own. (With the support of faculty, house parents, and advisors, of course!)

4. Manage Time Effectively

With packed schedules–classes, sports, homework, social activities, and extracurriculars–students learn to balance responsibilities and time.

5. Step into Leadership Roles Early

From leading dorm activities to running student clubs, they get real leadership experience amongst their peers.

6. Embrace Cultural Diversity

Many boarding schools are culturally diverse. Students learn cross-cultural communication and global awareness.

7. Build Close Lifelong Relationships

Students form deep bonds with peers and adults. Boarding school often becomes a second family, and many alumni stay in touch well beyond graduation.

While private boarding schools are known for helping students become independent and self-sufficient, Holderness takes it a step further—blending traditional life skills with uniquely hands-on, character-building experiences.

From the basics of time management and self-advocacy to pitching tarps in the wilderness and reciting poetry on stage, Holderness students grow through challenges both expected and unexpected. It's not just about becoming confident young adults; it’s about becoming caring, creative, and curious humans.

Here are a few more things Holderness students know how to do.

Say “Hi!” to people they pass by.

Students here look you in the eye and say hello as you walk around campus, even if they don’t know you! Don’t believe us? Just ask how some of our alumni met while climbing Mount Everest.

Start a fire.

On Out Back, our 11th-grade class spends 11 days in the New Hampshire wilderness building many outdoor skills, one of them being how to build a fire. 

The dishes.

In our Job Program, students spend time each week working in the dish room, on grounds crews, serving as dinner stewards, and building community as house leaders.

Serve the larger community.

Pro Deo et Genere Humano–For God and Humankind–is our school motto, and our commitment to serving others is strong. Forty hours of community service are required for graduation, but students regularly go far beyond that. This school year, our community of approximately 400 students, faculty, and staff collectively completed over 6,700 hours of service.

Memorize and recite a poem.

The annual Poetry Out Loud competition is a national poetry recitation contest all Holderness students take part in. An exercise in memorization, public speaking, and building confidence, students compete on campus and then have the opportunity to move on to regional and national competitions.

Pitch a tarp.

On Out Back, you’re given a tarp. No fancy tent, just a plain ol’ hardware store tarp. Students are taught how to properly pitch a tarp for protection from the elements. While it’s not a skill you would use every day, it teaches creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability.

Play multiple sports.

In a world of specialization, we believe in the three-sport model of athletic competition. Holderness students participate in multiple sports, as well as the opportunity for focused development within their primary sport. Multi-sport participation allows students to improve coordination, develop flexibility in skills, and reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

These experiences—whether around a campfire, in the dish room, on the playing field, or in front of a crowd—foster resilience, humility, and a strong sense of community. Holderness students graduate not just with a list of accomplishments, but with the knowledge of real-world skills and values that serve them for life. They leave prepared not only for college, but for the challenges, adventures, and responsibilities that lie beyond.

See our Holderness students in action. Schedule a tour.