A home at Usher High School
Safe, structured boarding life
Boarding at Usher High School offers learners a secure, caring environment where academic focus, Christian values, and community life come together.
On our rural campus near Figtree, boarders experience the discipline and independence that prepare them for adulthood. Resident staff, Salvation Army officers, and senior teachers provide round-the-clock supervision, ensuring every learner is known, supported, and held to the high standards that define the Usher family.
Academic focus
Structured routines, supervised prep, and a campus built for study help boarders achieve their best in class and examinations.
Christian values
Salvation Army faith shapes daily life through worship, fellowship, and character formation in every dormitory.
Community life
Shared meals, sport, clubs, and hostel friendships create a close-knit Usher family at Usher High School.
Separate dormitories
Boarding for girls and boys
Usher has a proud tradition of girls' boarding and now welcomes boys as part of our growing, co-educational boarding community.
Girls' boarding
Girls live in supervised dormitories with resident matrons and senior staff who oversee daily routines, personal welfare, and spiritual care. The girls' hostel fosters sisterhood, accountability, and a supportive atmosphere where learners thrive academically and socially.
Boys' boarding
Boys' dormitories are staffed by dedicated housemasters who guide learners in discipline, responsibility, and respectful conduct. The boys' boarding community mirrors the school's values of hard work, integrity, and service to others.
A historic milestone
2025 pioneer boys cohort
In 2025, Usher High School enrolled its first cohort of boys as boarders, a landmark moment in the school's long Salvation Army heritage. These pioneer boys joined a community that has educated generations of young women and now extends the same opportunity to young men.
The pioneer boys' cohort benefits from purpose-built dormitory facilities, experienced house staff, and the full range of academic, sporting, and spiritual programmes that define life at Usher.
Structured days
Daily routine
A predictable schedule helps boarders manage their time, stay focused on studies, and build habits of discipline that last a lifetime.
Morning
Wake-up, personal hygiene, breakfast, and morning devotion or assembly before classes begin.
School day
Full academic timetable with breaks for lunch, sport, and co-curricular activities.
Evening prep
Supervised study periods in dormitories or the library, followed by supper and limited free time.
Lights out
Age-appropriate bedtimes enforced by hostel staff to ensure learners are rested for the next day.
Academic support
Supervised study
Evening prep is a cornerstone of boarding life at Usher. Learners study in quiet, supervised environments where teachers and senior students are available to assist with homework, revision, and examination preparation.
The Japan Usher Library and dedicated study areas provide resources for research and independent learning, helping boarders maintain the strong academic results Usher is known for.
Prep
Daily supervised evening study
Library
Access to books & research materials
Staff
Teachers on duty during prep time
Focus
Quiet environment for concentration
Nourishment & care
Meals and welfare
Boarders receive balanced meals prepared in the school kitchen, with attention to nutrition, hygiene, and dietary needs.
Balanced meals
Breakfast, lunch, and supper are served in the dining hall, with menus designed to sustain growing learners through busy school days.
Health & welfare
A sick bay and first-aid support are available on campus. Serious cases are referred to local medical facilities with parental notification.
Pastoral support
Guidance counsellors and Salvation Army officers provide emotional and spiritual support when learners face personal challenges.
Hostel care
A caring dormitory community
Matrons, housemasters, and resident staff live on or near campus, creating a family atmosphere where learners feel safe and valued. Dormitories are kept clean and orderly, with learners sharing responsibility for their living spaces.
Laundry facilities, storage, and common areas are managed to support comfortable daily living while teaching self-reliance and respect for shared property.
Character formation
Discipline and responsibility
Boarding life at Usher instils punctuality, personal accountability, and respect for rules. Learners are expected to uphold the school code of conduct, with fair consequences for misconduct and recognition for exemplary behaviour.
Prefects and hostel leaders model responsibility for younger boarders, reinforcing a culture where discipline is understood as care, not punishment.
Faith at the centre
Christian values
As a Salvation Army school, Usher nurtures spiritual growth through morning devotions, Sunday worship, and fellowship groups. Boarders learn to live out Christian values of honesty, compassion, and service in their daily interactions.
Salvation Army officers on campus provide pastoral guidance, ensuring faith is woven into the fabric of boarding life rather than confined to formal services alone.
Peace of mind for parents
Safety and supervision
The campus is fenced and monitored, with controlled access and staff presence throughout the day and night. Visitors are registered, and learners may not leave the premises without authorised permission.
Parents can contact the school office or hostel staff at any time for updates on their child's welfare, academic progress, or boarding concerns.
What to prepare
Boarding requirements overview
Contact the school office for the current boarding checklist. The following gives a general guide for new boarders and their families.
Uniform & clothing
Full school uniform, sports kit, hostel wear, bedding, and labelled personal clothing as per the official boarding list.
Stationery & study
Textbooks, exercise books, pens, calculator, and a Bible for devotions and religious studies.
Toiletries & health
Personal hygiene items, towel, torch, and any prescribed medication with a letter from parents or a doctor.
Bedding
Mattress cover, sheets, blanket, and pillow as specified, dormitory beds are provided by the school.
Documents
Birth certificate copy, previous school reports, medical records, and signed boarding agreement forms.
Pocket money
Modest pocket money may be deposited with the bursar for tuck shop purchases, mobile phone use is regulated by school policy.
Boarding questions
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions from parents considering boarding at Usher. For fees, availability, and the full requirements list, please contact the school office.
Contact the schoolBoarding is available from Form 1 onwards for learners admitted to Usher High School. Younger boarders are placed in dormitories with closer supervision and age-appropriate routines. Contact the admissions office to confirm availability for your child's form.
Boarders return home during official school holidays and mid-term breaks as published in the school calendar. Visiting hours for parents and guardians are scheduled on designated weekends. All visitors must sign in at the school office and be accompanied in accordance with hostel rules.
The school sick bay is staffed to handle minor illnesses and injuries. Parents are contacted promptly for anything requiring medical attention beyond basic first aid. Serious cases are referred to the nearest clinic or hospital, and hostel staff remain with the learner until a parent or guardian arrives.
No. Girls and boys are accommodated in separate dormitory blocks, each with its own resident staff. Common areas such as the dining hall and chapel are shared during supervised times, but hostel accommodation is strictly segregated.
Form 1 boarding places are allocated through the Ministry EMAP system alongside day-school admission. For other forms, transfers, or direct boarding enquiries, contact the school office with your child's academic records. A campus visit is encouraged before confirming a boarding place.
Contact Us About Boarding
Give your child a safe, structured home at Usher High School. Speak to our admissions team about availability, fees, and what to expect from boarding life at Usher High School.
Enquire about boarding
Call the school
+263 714 460 972
