What are OBI students like? View some student profiles.
If your family is considering boarding school, you probably have a lot of questions.
This section of our web site answers some of the most common student questions.
- "What do you do for fun?"
- "I'm afraid of getting homesick."
- "What if I don't like my roommate?"
- "Will I really have to work every day?"
- "How can you survive without a car?"
- "Is the dress code strict?"
- "What's the worst thing about boarding school?"
- "Can I smoke?"
- "Can I have a computer or video game in my room?"
- "Can I have a VCR or DVD player?"
- "What happens if you break a rule?"
- "Can I listen to any music I want?"
- "What about drug use?"
- "Can I bring a guitar?"
- "Can my friends come and visit me?"
- "Are new students restricted in any way?"
"What do you do for fun?"
Every day there is a full schedule of activities including sports, swimming, open gym, trips, concerts, festivals and more. If you are bored, its your choice.
top"I'm afraid of getting homesick."
Most students experience brief periods of homesickness. No one will make fun of you and it quickly goes away as you make friends and get involved. Most students are only homesick for a few days.
top"What if I don't like my roommate?"
You may change rooms (with permission) after two weeks in your assigned room. We want you to find a room you are happy in.
top"Will I really have to work every day?"
All students have either a job, a sport or an activity every day. If you don't like to work a regular job, we encourage you to join a team or other co-curricular. Jobs average 11 hours per week.
top"How can you survive without a car?"
Students have no reason to leave campus. Everything they need is provided at OBI. If a student needs to go to the doctor or purchase something in town, special arrangements are easily made.
top"Is the dress code strict?"
Our dress code is much less strict than most private schools and slightly more restrictive than some public school. As public schools adopt dress codes, many of our students find our dress code to be easier. Our students find it easy to dress in a way that expresses their individuality and still stays within our guidelines.
top"What's the worst thing about boarding school?"
Most students say that living in a dormitory room with 2 or 3 other students is the hardest adjustment, particularly if they have had their own room at home.
top"Can I smoke?"
Students at OBI have the right to smoke within our current rules. Smokers must be in high school, have permission from parents, be supplied smoking material by their parents and smoke only in the designated smoking areas during allowed times. No one on a sport may be a smoker. Any student violating the smoking rules is subject to suspension or expulsion.
topCan I have a computer or video game in my room?"
Yes, as long as appropriate rules are followed. CD-R/CD-RWs and DVDs are not allowed.
top"Can I have a VCR or DVD player?"
Yes, but these must be part of another unit, such as a TV, video game or computer. They cannot be stand-alone.
top"What happens if you break a rule?"
Discipline at OBI is diverse and designed to be appropriate and aimed at changing behavior. Punishments include extra work, restriction to the dorm, swats, essays, suspensions, loss of privileges or expulsion.
top"Can I listen to any music I want?"
There are rules about the content of music. Most of these rules are common sense and apply to profanity and inappropriate language and content. Please don't bring music that contains objectionable content or lyrics. Illegal music will be confiscated.
top"What about drug use?"
Because OBI is an open campus, drugs can be available. We drug test some students each month. Possession or use of drugs may result in expulsion, or occaisonally, suspension.
top"Can I bring a guitar?"
Yes, but be aware that there is the risk of damage or theft. Many students do bring guitars. Drums are not allowed in the dorm.
top"Can my friends come and visit me?"
Visits to campus by non-family are discouraged. All campus visits must be approved through the dean of students.
top"Are new students restricted in any way?"
New students are allowed only one phone call per week for the first 30 days. They also are not allowed on off campus trips during that time.
top