Boarding School Life in Ireland

Published: January 2025

Specific Guides

General Information

Mornings: Wake Up and Breakfast

The day typically begins early, around 7:00 AM. Students wake up in their dormitories (which can be single, double or shared with 3-4 students, depending on the school). After washing and dressing in school uniform, everyone heads to the dining hall for breakfast, which is usually between 7:30 and 8:00 AM., alrededor de las 7:00 AM. Los estudiantes se despiertan en sus dormitorios (que pueden ser individuales, dobles o compartidos con 3-4 estudiantes, dependiendo del colegio). Después de asearse y vestirse con el uniforme escolar, todos se dirigen al comedor para el desayuno, que suele ser entre las 7:30 y 8:00 AM.

Breakfast at Irish boarding schools is typically full: cereals, toast, fruit, and hot options like eggs, bacon or sausages. It is an important social moment where students gather and chat before starting classes.: cereales, tostadas, fruta, y opciones calientes como huevos, bacon o salchichas. Es un momento social importante donde los estudiantes se reúnen y conversan antes de comenzar las clases.

Class Schedule

Classes generally begin at 9:00 AM and end around 3:30 or 4:00 PM, with breaks for mid-morning recess and lunch. The Irish system divides the day into periods of approximately 40-50 minutes each.

Typical subjects include:

• Compulsory subjects: English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), and a modern language (French, German, Spanish), Historia, Geografía, Ciencias (Física, Química, Biología), y una lengua moderna (francés, alemán, español)
• Optional subjects: Music, Art, Economics, Computer Science, Physical Education, and more, Economía, Informática, Educación Física, y más

Irish boarding schools have smaller classes than public schools, typically between 15-20 students per class, which allows for more individualized attention.

Lunch and Free Time

Lunch is served in the school dining hall, generally between 12:30 and 1:30 PM. After lunch, students have free time to socialize, play sports, or simply relax before continuing with afternoon classes., generalmente entre las 12:30 y 1:30 PM. Después del almuerzo, los estudiantes tienen tiempo libre para socializar, hacer deporte, o simplemente relajarse antes de continuar con las clases de la tarde.

Afternoons: Extracurricular Activities

After classes, which usually end around 4:00 PM, extracurricular activity time begins. This is one of the most valued aspects of boarding school life:, comienza el tiempo de actividades extraescolares. Este es uno de los aspectos más valorados de la vida en internado:

• Traditional Irish Sports: Full access to sports facilities and included activities
• Artes: Música (orquestas, coros, bandas), teatro, debate, arte y diseño
• Academic clubs: Math, science, language, history clubs and more
• Social activities: Events organized by Houses and recreational activities

Supervised Study and Homework

After activities, generally between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, there is a period of supervised study. Students do their homework and study in libraries or study rooms, with supervision from teachers or tutors. This ensures everyone dedicates adequate time to academic work., hay un período de estudio supervisado. Los estudiantes hacen sus tareas y estudian en bibliotecas o salas de estudio, con supervisión de profesores o tutores. Esto asegura que todos dediquen tiempo adecuado al trabajo académico.

Dinner and Leisure Time

Dinner is typically served between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. After dinner, students have free time to socialize, participate in recreational activities, or simply relax. Many boarding schools have common rooms with television, board games, and areas for socializing.. Después de la cena, los estudiantes tienen tiempo libre para socializar, participar en actividades recreativas, o simplemente relajarse. Muchos internados tienen salas comunes con televisión, juegos de mesa, y áreas para socializar.

Bedtime

Bedtimes vary according to age:

• Younger students (13-14 years old): Generally between 9:30 and 10:00 PM entre las 9:30 y 10:00 PM
• Intermediate students (15-16 years old): Between 10:00 and 10:30 PM las 10:00 y 10:30 PM
• Older students More flexibility and responsibility for 17-18 year old students

Weekly Structure

Monday to Friday: School Days

The typical school week runs Monday to Friday, with the schedule described above. Saturdays may vary: some schools have classes on Saturday mornings, while others reserve Saturdays for sports and activities., con el horario descrito anteriormente. Los sábados pueden variar: algunos colegios tienen clases los sábados por la mañana, mientras que otros reservan los sábados para deportes y actividades.

Weekends

Weekends at Irish boarding schools are more relaxed but structured:

• Sábados: Deportes, excursiones, actividades especiales, o tiempo libre
• Sundays Generally quieter, with time for studying and religious activities

Many boarding schools organize weekend excursions to places of historical, cultural, or natural interest in Ireland.

Accommodation and Community Living

Dormitories

Dormitories vary according to the school:

• Single rooms More common in higher prestige schools
• Double rooms: Sharing with another student con otro estudiante
• Shared rooms For 3-4 students, more common in traditional schools

Rooms have

The "Houses" System

Houses System

Living with International Students

Irish boarding schools usually have a mix of Irish and international students. This creates a multicultural environment where your child will not only learn English, but will also meet students from other countries, broadening their global perspective.. Esto crea un ambiente multicultural donde tu hijo no solo aprenderá inglés, sino que también conocerá estudiantes de otros países, ampliando su perspectiva global.

Nutrition and Meals

All meals provided

• Breakfast: Full and varied
• Lunch: Hot food and healthy options
• Dinner and Leisure Time: Main meal of the day, served between 6:30 and 7:30 PM
• Snacks: Available throughout the day

Dietary accommodations

Discipline and Rules

Boarding schools have clear and consistent rules:

• Mandatory attendance
• Respect towards teachers, staff and other students
• Appropriate use of technology (many schools have policies on mobile phones) (muchos colegios tienen políticas sobre teléfonos móviles)
• Sleep and wake times
• Mandatory uniform

Consequences for breaking rules may include additional tasks, privilege restrictions, or in serious cases, meetings with parents and possible expulsion.

Academic and Personal Support

Support levels

• Personal tutors: Each student has a tutor who supervises their academic and personal progress que supervisa su progreso académico y personal
• English support Additional English as a second language classes if needed
• Counseling: Available for students who need emotional or personal support que necesitan apoyo emocional o personal
• Academic support Personal tutors and counseling available

Vacations and Permissions

The Irish academic year has three terms with vacations between them:

• Autumn Term September to December (Christmas holidays)
• Spring Term: January to March (Easter holidays) (vacaciones de Semana Santa)
• Summer Term: April to June (summer holidays) (vacaciones de verano)

During vacations, students generally return home. Boarding schools may also allow parent visits during the year, with prior coordination.

Boarding School Advantages

Boarding schools offer specific advantages:

• Structure Clear routine that reduces anxiety
• Community Surrounded by peers in similar situations
• Complete facilities: Access to libraries, laboratories, sports facilities, and more, all in the same place, laboratorios, instalaciones deportivas, y más, todo en el mismo lugar
• Professional supervision: Trained staff available 24/7 for academic and personal support disponible 24/7 para apoyo académico y personal
• Fewer variables More predictable and structured experience

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

• Missing home: It's normal, especially at first. Boarding schools have trained staff to help with this, especialmente al principio. Los internados tienen personal capacitado para ayudar con esto
• Adjusting to new rules: It may take time to get used to the structure, but most students adapt well acostumbrarse a la estructura, pero la mayoría de estudiantes se adaptan bien
• Academic level: It may be more demanding than at home. Support is available que en casa. El apoyo está disponible
• Language: At first it can be overwhelming, but total immersion accelerates learning, pero la inmersión total acelera el aprendizaje

Conclusión

Life at an Irish boarding school is structured, enriching and offers unique opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Learn more about boarding school life