<p>Since the OP welcomed student input, I’ll provide perspective from a comparable institution. I believe that what @Daykidmom has said can be pretty much applied to all boarding schools, including dipping which I find disgusting. It certainly applies to mine. I do believe however, based upon some of the original poster’s previous comments, including wanting the son to go to boarding school as a way to gain a foothold into ivies, that a reality check is needed.</p>
<p>Some high school students drink. Some do drugs. Some have sex. This is true if the student is in public school or private school. I personally have seen little drug/alcohol use occur on-campus. Usually it happens at a party at a day student’s house/other off-campus venue, or while away on break, and certainly more often in the later years. There are certainly no keg parties in the dorms. Yes, it is a violation of the code of conduct, and yes, it is enforced. However, I know of no HS in the country that does not have a drug and alcohol policy.</p>
<p>The schools are acting in loco parentis and they take it seriously. All boarding schools have weekend activities as described above to keep the kids occupied. Teenagers, however, are resourceful. I don’t know about other schools, but mine extends the prohibited items list to visitors to the school. So parents can’t smoke or drink on the property, and the school sends out an email to the parents prior to graduation to not bring champagne.</p>
<p>Some statistics from a comparable school:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.phillipian.net/sota13/sections/drugs.html”>http://www.phillipian.net/sota13/sections/drugs.html</a></p>