Can students leave the boarding school campus during the week?

At most boarding schools, weekday campus departures require permission and planning—no spontaneous Taco Bell runs. The Lawrenceville School makes this clear in their student handbook: students must remain on campus unless they’re signed out for approved reasons. That includes things like medical appointments, official school events, or parental permission with staff approval. At Deerfield Academy, even weekend overnights require an official sign-out process and advance notice. Some schools like Phillips Exeter allow older students limited town access, but it’s usually during set hours and for short distances. So yes, students can leave—but only when the school says it’s cool, not when the craving hits.