We have observed the full spectrum of day students at our BS. Everything from kids so involved and ‘present’ that other kids don’t really realize that they’re day students, to others who lean/cling so hard to their middle school/neighborhood friends (who don’t also attend the BS) that they’re sort of non-factors. They do the absolute minimum and go home.
Seems sad but I don’t know what else goes on in their lives. I do know of at least one whose parents pick them up on the way home from work. On some days that happens so early that the kid doesn’t even get to eat dinner with other students. But that’s when the parent is willing/able so…