Falmouth Academy is discussing the possibility of providing five-day boarding for students who live on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. 

Each year, the private school has around 35 students from the Vineyard who travel by ferry each morning to the Falmouth campus.

On Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m., the school will host a virtual information session for families to gather informaion and share feedback.

David Perry, the head of school for the Academy, said a five-day boarding option could help families who don’t have the ability to commit to a full-time boarding school far from home but want an independent high school education for their kids.

“The system that exists works well for many of our Vineyard families, but for some, the daily commute isn’t feasible due to logistics,” Mr. Perry said.

Balancing coursework and extracurricular activities with ferry schedules can be challenging for some students, Mr. Perry said. Five-day boarding could free-up time for students to take full advantage of the programs and social opportunities at the school.

Mr. Perry reached out to local institutions, such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Sea Education Association, about potentially housing students in their dorms. 

There’s no confirmed plan, but Mr. Perry said the institutions are open to the idea. Falmouth Academy is also considering leasing their own property for student housing. 

While the boarding option is intended for high school students, Mr. Perry said the school’s not opposed to including grades 7 and 8. 

“This five-day boarding allows kids who thrive in a more independent environment the opportunity to do that,” he said. 

To register for the virtual information session, visit falmouthacademy.org/admission-events.