Student Life
our community. your experience.
Boarding school is a transformational experience in a young person's life - and when we say that we mean beyond the classroom as you become immersed in a 24 x 7 world where you live with your friends, build lifelong relationships, all while simply being yourself. At Gunn, we are an independently minded community of hard workers who compete fiercely all while having a lot of fun - after all these traits can absolutely work together. We support each other to take thoughtful risks, to try new things, to always express our beliefs, to listen to others and in the end to be active within our community. And we make this fun and inclusive through our ongoing programming around weekend excursions, spontaneous spikeball tournaments on the turf, sledding on an unexpected day off following a winter snow, tossing a frisbee with friends on the Quad as warmer weather returns and so much more. At our Gunn, we are forever student focused and inspired to make your time our campus the best and most formative years of your life.
Maya
Class of '26
Anabel
Class of '28
Ryan
Class of '24
Jaime
Class of '26
Madeline
Class of '29
80%
Boarding Students
125
New Students Each Year
70
Dedicated Advisors
30+
Major Leadership Positions
We Believe in fun
Don't be surprised by our simple and bold headline here. It's absolutely intentional that we start with fun - after all you are in your teenage years and it's healthy to balance a rigorous academic routine with intentional moments of enjoying time with your friends. It is these experiences that make boarding school life formative and memorable - nothing can compete with shared experiences. At Gunn, we are committed to regular weekend activities that take you to the mall for Chipotle or perhaps it's a night of bowling and New Haven pizza. Weekend activities also build in time for extended rest to recharge for the week ahead and no Sunday would be complete without a stop at our on-campus omelette and waffle bars - and the donuts are exceptional as well. Campus activity is bustling on weekends and you simply won't want to miss out.
living with friends
Gunn's residential community is built around 10 houses with accommodations ranging from singles to quads along with common areas for spending time with friends. Each residential building has designated House Parents overseeing all aspects of the community along with rotating support from faculty members assigned to each House for duty throughout the year. These strategies are intentionally designed to promote safe communities, foster cohesive environments, enforce study hall rules and in the end your House relationships will become some of the strongest that our students form over the course of the year. Residential life is a core part of the boarding experience and our time tested approach works.
Nothing brings the House communities together more than House Cup Challenges where community members compete against each other in student driven games in School Meeting. We are the first to acknowledge the competitions can be raucous and even silly; but the pursuit of the House Cup is an experience that creates long lasting memories that truly make boarding school different in the best ways possible.
be a leader
At Gunn, we take leadership opportunities seriously and believe that our students are capable of guiding much of what makes the experience on our campus special. Our size is an advantage because in reality it means everybody has an opportunity to take on a leadership role. Leadership comes in many forms - leading a collaborative project in the classroom, running a campus club, being the captain of a team, guiding prospective families on campus tours, working with our Development office to tell the story of Gunn to alums, overseeing a house as a Residential Assistant, or to becoming an elected member of the school leadership structure. Whatever your interests, opportunities abound to lead your peers and to impact our community.
head to the po
Students enjoy most meals in our dining hall where choices almost feel endless - from a main meal option, to a loaded salad bar, to a make your own sandwich option and a daily pasta alternative if you just need that comfort meal. Weekends are even better with Saturday nights typically being theme nights for dinner and most Sundays offering a waffle and omelette bars. Between meals you are welcome to stop by for a snack where you will find fruit, bagels, coffee and so much more to help you recharge at our grab and go station. And while our on campus dining options will cover your needs, a change of pace is available just minutes from the center of campus at The PO where generations of Highlanders have gathered with friends for lunch or breakfast - order the same item often enough and it just might be named after you.
House Rules
Residential life at The Frederick Gunn School is all about community. It’s about finding your friend group and learning to live respectfully with others. More than any other space on campus, your House becomes a home away from home. It’s where you learn to be independent, manage your time and become self-reliant.
Clubs & Organizations
At The Frederick Gunn School, student life extends far beyond the classroom, offering a vibrant landscape of clubs and organizations where Highlanders can pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and build lasting connections.
Health & Wellness
The health and well-being of our students is a priority. Our Health Center is open seven days a week with an experienced staff that includes registered nurses and athletic trainers.
Belonging & Inclusion
Our school places the highest value on character education, centering pluralism and fostering an inclusive community. We empower students to share their beliefs and values, encouraging them to stand with conviction while practicing kindness, respect, and empathy toward others.
Campus
Safety
Among all that is done to create a welcoming, nurturing and positive school experience at The Frederick Gunn School, we take very seriously the issues of appropriate behaviors and conduct relative to relationships among all members of our community.
Daily
Schedule
Gunn students attend classes five days a week and follow a block schedule. Classes meet three times per week for 65 minute blocks. Wednesdays are half days for academics, allowing for our athletic teams to compete in the afternoons.