Student Life

Boarding at UNISUS helps students grow into confident, capable young adults. Located on campus just steps from the school, our boarding house provides a supportive living environment where students learn independence, responsibility, and healthy daily routines. With a dedicated boarding program and boarding parents living in residence, students are known, supported, and are supported as they grow in confidence and responsibility. Alongside structured study, after school activities, and weekend experiences in the local area, students build lifelong international friendships and the skills they need for life beyond school.

Life Inside Our Boarding House

A welcoming, on campus residence designed for student life and growth.The boarding house is located directly on campus, allowing students to live just steps from their classrooms and activities. The first floor is home to the dining hall, where meals are prepared by our dedicated chef and kitchen team, along with shared spaces for students to relax and connect.

Student living spaces are located on the upper floors, with boys on the second floor and girls on the third, supported by Residence Life staff who live on site. Through daily routines and the boarding curriculum, residence becomes a place where students feel truly at home while building independence, responsibility, and confidence.

Student Rooms Designed for Comfort

Modern, comfortable spaces students can truly make their own.Each boarding room is shared by up to three students and designed for comfort and privacy. Rooms feature two bunk beds, climate control with heating and air conditioning, plenty of natural light, and views of either the mountains or the lake.

Every bedroom includes a private bathroom and separate shower room, along with two sinks in the main space to support shared living. Students are encouraged to personalize their rooms, creating a comfortable place to rest, study, and feel at home.

What Boarding Life Looks Like

Daily routines that build independence, balance, and confidence.Life in boarding follows a consistent and supportive rhythm that helps students develop responsibility and strong daily habits. Each day begins with shared routines and breakfast before students head to classes, creating a smooth connection between living and learning. After school, students return to the boarding house for structured study time, along with opportunities to relax and connect with friends.

Students may also sign up for local after school activities in the community, such as swimming, dance, gymnastics, and a variety of sports, with transportation provided to and from the boarding house. These routines help students balance academics, activities, and independence in a supported environment.

Weekends offer a change of pace, with planned activities around the local communities that encourage connection, exploration, and time together beyond the school day.

Benefits of UNISUS Boarding:

• Lifelong friendships from around the globe
• Academic support and guidance seven days a week
• Flex-time to engage in organized sports and activities
• A gained sense of independence, self leadership, and responsibility
• Structures and guidance to develop responsible and empowering relationship with technology
• Opportunities to explore the Okanagan, participating in a range of cultural, experiential and personal enrichment activities 

According to the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), boarding students succeed at a significantly higher rate than public schools in colleges and adult life. The study found that boarding student graduates are more likely to earn an advanced degree and achieve faster career advancement. Data from the study also highlighted that 78% of boarding school graduates felt they acquired non-academic skills such as independence, social life, and time management compared to 23% of non-boarding students.

Safety is Our Priority

From airport pick up, to security keys and a gated community, our program promises to be among the safest boarding experiences available.

We offer:

• Airport welcome and departure support by UNISUS staff
• UNISUS dedicated transportation for all school and leisure activities
• Located in a quiet and welcoming residential neighbourhood  within Summerland
• Secure, keyed access control system for each building, boarding floor and room
• Advanced air filtration system so there is no germ or bacterial transfer between rooms when a student is sick
• Gender separated floors with dedicated gender specific staff on each floor on call 24/7

The individual growth of the student in the boarding environment is an important investment as a parent.  The friends you make will be an extremely strong bond, forged by living together, experiencing together, experiencing setbacks and achievements together.  The UNISUS boarding experience will enrich your career, enrich your lifetime, bring strength to your family, and those that work with you and for you.

-Nigel Toy, Emeritus, Board of Directors at UNISUS

*Nigel has 45+ years of experience with two globally recognized boarding schools. He served as the Head of School at St. George’s School in Vancouver, British Columbia and prior to that he served as the Head of School for St. Kentigern College in New Zealand