A Closer Look at Athenian’s Boarders

Have you ever pondered the enigmatic world of your boarding friends? People who vanish during lunch or retreat to their dorms after school? This community, constituting a mere 10 percent of the student body, is barely noticed by some in the Athenian community, but significantly enriches the school's cultural tapestry.

Because boarders comprise only a tiny percentage of the Athenian community, they tend to be only a small part of each class’s roster. Literature teacher Alex Mattraw said, “International students may not always feel confident sharing their views in class. I consistently encourage some to build self-assurance, recognizing they have as much to contribute as domestic students. Some may not articulate claims vocally but express themselves beautifully, particularly in poetry, where unique perspectives shine.” Alex stressed the importance of empowering international boarders to voice themselves more in class, fostering an inclusive space. She believes these students bring unique insights and experiences that enhance classroom discussions.

There is a prevalent misconception about this community; junior Bia Rodrigues De Lima said,  “People often assume all boarders are international students, but there are also domestic students in this community and international students in the day student community.” Sometimes students wrongly assume all international students are boarders.

Many international boarders perceive a division between day students and themselves. Senior Vivi Huang said, “Due to the inconvenience of reaching certain places, I cannot contact my day student friends as frequently as others.”

Bia said that challenges such as language barriers and transportation inconveniences might cause boarders and day students to separate, but she notes improvement over previous years.

There are varied perspectives on the question of division.

Sophomore Kait Chew, a day student, said,  “Even though the boarding community seems like an isolated group, as long as people talk to those they feel comfortable with, it's not a significant issue. Non-native speakers may sometimes feel uneasy talking to native speakers, and that is perfectly acceptable.”

Safety rules pose challenges for boarders leaving campus for sleepovers, emphasizing the need to balance safety and social interactions. Boarders are prohibited from having cars, making it challenging to socialize with many day students.

Living alongside peers from diverse countries enhances cultural fluency, a crucial skill in today's interconnected world. Separate English classes for boarders, including ELL and sheltered options, focus on grammar and culturally accessible literature, aiding international boarders in connecting to American culture. The disparity in literature and history classes may contribute to the separation of the two groups, despite the class's intended purpose to bond them.

Athenian believes that understanding and addressing the unique dynamics between boarding and day students is pivotal for fostering inclusivity and creating a harmonious educational community, so the school takes actions to connect the two communities. Each boarder is connected with a day student family to facilitate friendships. Erika Argueta-Connor, a boarding staff member and middle-school Spanish teacher, said, “Friday afternoon intervisitations allow day students to visit, and we encourage boarding students to bring their day student friends to FABs (Fun Activities for Boarders).”