The Principia School's Home Department provides a home for its boarding students, which conforms to the highest standards of excellence in housing, staff, programs, and character education in an atmosphere that supports a student’s spiritual growth and understanding of Christian Science.

The Principia boarding experience - preparation for life

The boarding experience at Principia offers students an environment where Christian Science immediately occupies a more important space in their lives. Students find themselves turning more readily to God for guidance as they learn to live independently, and this reliance on God to meet new challenges accelerates their growth, solidifies faith, and helps every student become effective healers. There is no better preparation for life than an experience, which encourages a ready-reliance on God and the daily practice of Christian Science in an atmosphere that supports it.

Character Education is the spiritualization of thought

The character education of students is considered the most important aspect of residential life at Principia. In an atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth, the God-like qualities within each individual’s being are discovered and released. The work of the Home Department staff is to help students become effective Christian Scientists, public-spirited citizens, inspired learners, and individuals of refined moral character—outcomes of a Principia education.

Quality Housing

Students live in a comfortable, modern, and well-maintained dormitory. The rooms are spacious, carpeted and air-conditioned, with an abundance of light, and can accommodate one, two or three students. Students are assigned to one of the five halls in the dormitory at the beginning of the school year. Each hall houses 12 – 18 students, which comprise their “dorm family”. A full-time Houseparent lives at the end of each hall. Houseparents develop a close relationship with each of the students and their parents over the course of the year to provide support and a home-like feeling. Rooms and roommates are changed four times during the year, giving students a chance to learn valuable lessons in cooperation, consideration, selfless giving, and community.

Dedicated Staff

The Residential Head and the Houseparents join to comprise a family, which is devoted to the care, development, and enrichment of every student. All members of the Home Department staff have had Christian Science class instruction, and are active branch church members. Each staff member is a dedicated residential-life professional, who is energetic, loving, and supportive, and possesses a sincere commitment to serve the Cause of Christian Science through the vehicle of education.

Programs and Guidelines that encourage excellence and responsible self-government

All programs, policies, and guidelines form the Home Department curriculum. This curriculum is designed to engender excellence in students, and is measured by the five principles on which our residential community operates: spiritual growth, attitude, effort, self-discipline, and selfless service. Every activity performed within the Home Department is consistent with The Purpose and Policies of The Principia. Activities are designed to foster an inclusive, loving, and cooperative atmosphere in the dorm. Rules and disciplinary responses are intended to help students learn to be responsible, accountable, and honorable, while focusing on healing, spiritual growth, and self-government from the basis of Principle.

Traditions you will never forget

Boarding students quickly discover the joy of living under the same roof with some of their best friends. Reading the Weekly Bible Lesson as a group, studying for finals with a roommate, going to church, playing sports, attending social activities, or just watching a movie together on a Friday night creates a strong family bond and “Principia friendships” that last a lifetime. Events like Dorm Olympics, Super Bowl parties, room change, and Open Houses add an extra element of fun to the normal school schedule.