Solebury School
Residential Life
Home Away from Home
At Solebury School, our dorm parents are integral members of our community, dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, emotionally and personally. Dorm parents reside on campus, offering support, guidance, and supervision outside of the traditional academic day. They ensure the well-being and safety of our students, foster a sense of belonging, and serve as mentors and role models. From creating structure to providing emotional support, dorm parents play a pivotal role in shaping our students' boarding school experience.
Being a boarding student at Solebury is more than just attending classes; it's about embracing a unique lifestyle that promotes independence, responsibility, and growth. Living on campus allows students to immerse themselves fully in a diverse and inclusive community, where friendships are forged and lifelong memories are made. Boarding students benefit from a structured environment that encourages academic achievement, personal development, and cultural exchange. They learn essential life skills, build resilience, and form bonds that extend beyond graduation.
Whether from near or far, our boarding students discover a second home at Solebury, where they receive unparalleled support from caring staff and fellow students alike. We invite you to explore our vibrant community and discover why boarding at Solebury is an enriching experience like no other.
Dorm Life
Solebury's 100 boarding students thrive in the structure that boarding life provides. Nightly study halls, activities, and lights out to ensure a good night's sleep all contribute to an environment where students can develop the discipline and healthy habits that lead to long term success. The most significant part of the boarding experience for students is the lifelong friendships they form with one another. Their memories of the time they shared, their maturing and growing up together, will be something they will cherish forever.
Solebury boasts a variety of dormitories, each uniquely sized but uniformly equipped with full kitchens, Wi-Fi internet access, laundry facilities, and generous spaces for boarders to both work and hangout. All of the teachers, but especially the dorm parents, are there for students at every turn—to offer extra help with a paper, spend an afternoon baking cookies, or drive a van of kids to take a hike, or to go to the movies, local apple orchard, or even to New York City for the day.
Weekends
At Solebury School, weekends are a vibrant tapestry of activities that infuse our campus with energy and excitement. Both boarding and day students come together on weekends to form connections, experience new adventures, and create lasting memories through a comprehensive range of activities offered at no additional cost. Our weekend adventures cater to diverse interests, from thrilling trips to nearby New York City and Philadelphia to serene hikes in the beautiful surrounding landscapes of Bucks County and beyond. Students can relax during evening bonfires, participate in cultural events, start a game of pickleball, or dive into a variety of creative workshops.
Contacts
Dean of Residence Life: Leah Coleman
lcoleman@knowledge-gate.com
Assistant Dean Of Residence Life: Juliet Harkanson
jharkanson@knowledge-gate.com
Weekend Activities Director: Peter Martino
pmartino@knowledge-gate.com
When you’re here, you feel like you’re at home. I love that about Solebury.
—SASHA '19
See how boarding and day students connect organically and easily at Solebury School.
An Ideal Location
Solebury School's location in Bucks County, PA enables us to visit many of the attractions of the northeast while enjoying the quiet, safety, and open space of a 140-acre rural campus. We're an hour from Philadelphia and the New Jersey beaches and an hour and a half from New York City and the Pocono Mountains. Our immediate area boasts wonderful outdoor activity options as well as the malls and multiplexes students love just a short van ride away.
Evening Activities
Our evening activities at Solebury are designed to bring boarders together in a fun and engaging way. From celebrating birthdays and hosting friendly competitions to exploring creative projects, these activities provide opportunities for students to connect, collaborate, and unwind. Some weeks, our evening activities are mandatory, ensuring that all boarders participate and benefit from the enriching experiences we offer. Led by our dedicated on-campus staff, these events foster a sense of community and ensure that every week is filled with excitement and camaraderie.
Dress Code
In our close-knit community, students enjoy the freedom to express themselves in various ways. With this freedom comes the responsibility to be mindful of and respect others. While Solebury does not enforce a dress code, we trust each student to make thoughtful clothing choices for school, school events, and meals in the dining hall. The school may ask students to change their attire if it is deemed necessary to maintain a respectful and appropriate environment. This ensures that all students' clothing choices align with the community's values and expectations while still allowing for personal expression.
Evening Study Halls
The hours of 7:45 - 9:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday, are designated for study. All new boarding students begin in a proctored study hall and can earn "Room Study" privileges by maintaining good grades and demonstrating responsible behavior. Each proctored study hall is managed by an adult and each dorm is supervised by a dorm parent during the designated study hall time.