Upper School Parent and Student Handbook 2023-2024

For major vacation breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer vacation), all houses close at 1:00 pm the day after the last day of classes and reopen at 2 p.m. on the scheduled return day. All boarding students must make arrangements to stay with friends or family or to participate in a school trip if they are unable to be home or with family during these vacations. Students must have adult supervision throughout vacation breaks. The school does not provide host-family accommodations.

During fall and Easter breaks the houses will remain open. 

Some students, due to travel arrangements, may need special accommodations. In order for a student to be permitted to arrive the day before a school-scheduled arrival date, or stay over and into the day immediately following a school-scheduled departure, the following conditions must be met:

• A written request by the student’s parent or guardian must be received by the Dean of Student Life 14 calendar days prior to the normal arrival/departure.
• Fees may be paid by the student’s parent or guardian to accommodate for early arrivals or late departures to or from campus. Meals will not be provided by Darlington; students must cover their own meal expenses.
• The student must agree to abide by all school policies, including normal curfew hours.
• The limit on early day arrival or late departure is one day (24 hours) prior to or following the normal scheduled time.

The School Calendar should be used as a reference in making airline reservations for all vacation periods. All departing flights should be scheduled to depart between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the final school day before the break. Return flights should arrive in Atlanta between noon and 4 p.m. on the day before school begins after a break. 

Absences due to travel may not be excused and may involve a penalty (see Attendance Policy).