Are boarding schools open during summer?

Not for regular school, but summer is actually prime time on many boarding campuses. Phillips Academy Andover runs an acclaimed five-week Summer Session with academic enrichment, test prep, and electives like film studies or creative writing. The Hotchkiss School offers Summer Portals, which include programs in global issues, environmental science, and the arts. These aren’t just casual day camps—they’re structured, immersive experiences, often open to students from other schools, too. It’s also a great way for prospective students to try out boarding life before committing full-time. So, while traditional classes pause, campuses stay buzzing with activity and opportunity all summer long.