What Is 5-Day Boarding? Current Students Can Try It with Buddy Up

For some families, boarding school doesn’t have to mean being away from home all week.

5-day boarding gives students the opportunity to live on campus during the school week and return home for the weekend. At Dalian American International School, students can choose between 5-day boarding from Monday to Friday and 7-day boarding for the full week, giving families flexibility to choose the option that works for them.

What does 5-day boarding look like?

During the week, boarding gives students a structured routine that continues beyond the end of the school day.

For elementary and secondary students at DAIS, the daily boarding schedule includes the regular school day, after-school activities, Guided Study Time in the evening, and a set dormitory check-in and bedtime. During Guided Study Time, students have access to core subject teachers in Math, English, and Science, as well as structured independent study and additional English development.

There’s plenty happening outside study time, too. Boarding students can enjoy movie nights, holiday celebrations, games, and special after-school activities such as yoga, jiu-jitsu, and handicrafts. Students can also work out or play sports, spend time with friends, and simply relax together after a busy school day.

It’s also about learning to manage everyday life more independently. DAIS’s boarding program is designed to help students develop responsibility, self-discipline, decision-making skills, and strong study habits while remaining supported by the boarding team.

5-day or 7-day boarding?

The biggest difference is simple: 5-day boarders stay during the school week, while 7-day boarders stay for the full week.

For families considering boarding, the choice does not have to start with the question, “Can my child live away from home full-time?” Five-day boarding offers another possibility: students can have the structure and independence of boarding during the week while still returning home for the weekend.

Experience Boarding Life with Buddy Up

Reading about boarding is one thing. Spending a few days living alongside boarding students gives a much clearer picture of what the experience is actually like.

From October 28–30, current day students will have the opportunity to take part in the Buddy-Up Boarding Experience, spending three days and two nights alongside current boarders.

The experience includes Halloween activities, a movie night, time with friends, and the everyday routines of boarding life. It gives students a chance to see the social side of boarding as well as what it feels like to live on campus during the school week.

For students who are curious about boarding, Buddy Up offers a firsthand look at the routines, friendships, and community that are all part of boarding life at DAIS.