STC's Boarding Program

ntroduction: For this collection of writing, students in Ms. Johnsonʼs Upper School journalism class explored the schoolʼs historical archive of yearbooks, magazines and newspaper publications like “The Pine Needle.” Through research and interviews, they crafted and developed stories around a topic that piqued their interest. The writing both tells past stories and incorporates the modern-day perspective of the author. Enjoy!

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The St. Christopher’s Boarding Program made it possible for the school to house students from all across the country. Many alumni have been the product of this former program, which was a very important part of the education of many students at the school. But, since it no longer exists, now we can only imagine what the experience of being a boarder was like by asking those who experienced it. What really happened in the program? How were the students’ experiences?
 
This part of campus history was originally created to allow a vast assortment of students from across the country to experience a St. Christopher’s education. Many of these students ended up at STC’s boarding program because they were athletes who had struggling grades or people from areas with weaker educational systems. The program had been around since the early days, and housing was located in the modern-day offices of Memorial Hall and Old Luck.
 
While the group of participants was small, the students involved are now able to reflect on the many memories from their time on campus.
 
There were two alumni who had shared their reflections on the boarder program, the first of whom was Rob Norfleet ’58. Mr. Norfleet spent his early years at Woodberry Forest School because his father was a teacher there. However, he said it wasn’t a pleasant experience for him because his father was strict to the students and their frustration was taken out on him. Eventually, a young Mr. Norfleet started attending St. Christophers, which he was very excited about. He reflects back on his experience fondly, but admits the drawbacks of living at school by describing the boarding conditions as “small” and “spartan.” He also describes his experience as “a bit of a lonely existence” with the high percentage of students who were only there during the day.
 
Another alumnus, Mr. Earl Dickinson ’70, shared many interesting points that built on what Mr. Norfleet discussed. When asked about the traditions that took place in the program, Dickinson explained the tight bond among the boarding students compared to with day students. The day students were all from Richmond and had been together since the beginning, so it was a completely different dynamic. The boarders were all “closer because we lived together.” This is similar to what Mr. Norfleet ’58 described as well. Mr. Dickinson was also asked about how the St. Christopher’s experience has changed now that there are no more boarders. He said he thinks the school was not any better or worse off because of it. He also added that a lot of the boarders got up to mischief and caused problems for the school, which is one reason why they could’ve shut it down.
 
But, Mr. Dickinson argued that the termination of the program leaves an empty hole for a unique experience that was once had. He said, “...I can’t say the school did the wrong thing when they decided to terminate the boarding department, but being a boarder – I think it leaves a little bit of a hole in the school that they don’t have [anymore].”