Residential Life | Marvelwood School | Kent, Connecticut

Residential Life

Your home away from home.

Marvelwood's residential life is fun, friendly, and full of heart. 

It’s a place to dive deep into your educational journey and grow as an individual. Living here is an immersive and unforgettable experience that develops independence, resilience, and lifelong friendships. 

85%
of students are boarders
84%
Domestic
16%
International
81%
of residential faculty live on campus
84%
of faculty contribute to residential life
2
Nights of overnight stay per week for all day students
4
Dorms on campus
10+
Faculty dogs

 

A Community That Feels Like Family

A Cohesive Experience

At Marvelwood, academics, student life, and residential life become one cohesive experience, giving students a true sense of connection, consistency, and belonging. Our diversity of backgrounds and experiences is what continues to make our community so rich. We’re all in it together!

 

Students spending time together in common room

Faculty Foodies

Marvelwood faculty often surprise students with their favorite recipes. 

From cookies to smashburgers, these fun-filled events remind students of home.

Teachers are also coaches, dorm parents, and advisors who live on campus and share meals with students. Getting to see the whole person gives them a deeper understanding of who students are, how they’re best challenged, and when they might need extra support. This priceless and ever-present safety net of care is what makes Marvelwood feel like home.

 

Activities Abound

Our campus is constantly alive with activity—even on weekends. From themed spirit weeks to dances, BINGO, trivia nights, and Manhunt games, there’s always something to do. 
 


 

“We did a Friday night Bingo night. We joked about spending a Friday night playing Bingo, but it was genuinely fun. People aren’t too cool for things here.”

— Marvelwood Senior

 

 


 

Responsibility Meets Freedom

Living on campus teaches students to navigate relationships, responsibility, and freedom. By the time they graduate, students can confidently balance the nuances of structure and independence.
 

Faculty in dorms
1
Faculty Dorm Head in each dorm
4
Faculty apartments in each dorm for a network of support
24/7
Administrator on duty
20+
Additional faculty live on campus as part of the residential life team
Students hugging and smiling

Student Leadership & Peer Support

Student prefects play an essential role in shaping a positive dorm culture grounded in respect, communication, and connection. 

As trained peer leaders, they support fellow students through everyday challenges, help navigate conflict, and model what a healthy, inclusive community looks like in action. They also help foster a sense of belonging by organizing dorm activities and encouraging shared experiences that bring students together.

 

Dorm Responsibilities

Students take on light dorm jobs—cleaning common spaces, helping with setup, and maintaining shared areas. In the process, they develop ownership, accountability, and respect for the community.

Free Time

The Marvelwood campus is its own neighborhood. Students have plenty of free time to relax, recharge, and connect. Common rooms are always open, the gym is available for pickup games or workouts, and students can go for walks, bike rides, play gaga ball, or just hang out with friends. Surrounded by open space, there are ample opportunities to be outdoors, hike nearby trails, and be active. 

Weekend Offerings

Our small size and student-centered approach means that even two students can organize a chaperoned weekend excursion. Trips to the center of Kent for walking the charming main street, indulging in local coffee shops or restaurants, and perusing shops are a common occurrence.

On-Campus Activities
  • Bingo
  • Bonfires & S’mores
  • Crafts
  • Dorm Barbecues
  • Ice Skating
  • Movie Nights
  • Open Gym
  • Pick-up Sports
  • Tennis
  • Trivia
  • Video Game Tournaments
Off-Campus Trips

Student Favorites

  • Adventure Parks (ropes courses, indoor rock climbing, trampoline parks)
  • Bowling
  • Downtown Kent
  • Flea Markets
  • Mall Trips (Danbury Mall)
  • Movie Theatres
  • New Milford Plaza
  • Day trips to New York City (Broadway Theatre, Bronx Zoo, Chinatown, Koreatown)
  • Go-karting
  • Paintball
  • Professional sporting events
  • Sharon Playhouse & other local theaters
  • Museums (NY, CT, MA)