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The Day Student Experience at Hebron Academy By Sylvie Gill ’26
In many ways, being a day student at Hebron Academy is a lot different from being a boarding student. There are both challenges and benefits. I am a day student and know it can be quite hard sometimes to juggle school and home life. I interviewed Louisa, also a day student, who mentioned it can be a challenge dealing with the homework load after getting home late from dance practice. This is particularly true when assignments are posted late, and there were earlier opportunities in the day to do homework. Brennan Pike said he often feels out of the loop because, unlike boarders who live at Hebron, he commutes to school everyday and sometimes feels like he misses out. Belle Beauchesne told me: “It can be hard to make connections with boarding students when not on campus all the time and when you cannot attend weekend activities.” It can also be hard for day students to get help with schoolwork, since teachers are only available for extra help during the school day or to those who are on campus after the academic day is over. Last minute or surprise events can also be hard for day students. Brennan Pike said, “Since day students can not just go back to their dorms to get a change of clothes or the appropriate shoes, we often miss out.” Also, day Students often have previous commitments outside of school which cannot be missed. An example of this was Mountain Day, which was not officially announced until late at night when some day students were already asleep. Getting to school the next day without your snow gear and skis to find out the whole school is headed to the mountain, just doesn’t sit well. Most of the people I interviewed said there are many benefits to being a day student as well. Belle Beauchesne says she likes being able to go home and see her family everyday. Brennan Pike said he likes being a day Student because he can do what he wants in his free time and is able to have his own rules. When you are a day student, you can get a paying job during the school year. Also, getting your driver's license is a lot easier. Though it can be hard to get help from teachers, day student’s parents may be available to help you. Belle Beauchesne said, “The teachers at Hebron are very understanding, willing to help in any way they can and recognize that day students' schedules are often very busy.” All the day students I interviewed said that even though they get home between, 4:00pm - 9:00pm, they all are still able to get about eight hours of sleep a night. There are many challenges and advantages of being either a day student or a boarding student at Hebron Academy. While there is room for improvement to better balance the schedule and curriculum to benefit both day students and boarders, most of the day students I interviewed are relatively happy with their situation at Hebron Academy.
