We’re looking into boarding schools as an alternative to our rural public high school. The catch is kiddo is mildly chemical sensitive and I’m wondering how big of an issue this is going to be. Fragrances added to most laundry soaps are a big problem, and even using a washing machine that’s had fragrance in it before is a problem. I’m thinking if it’s a school is within a reasonable driving distance, I could pick up laundry every couple of weeks and wash it at home. Do students use and wash their own sheets and towels, or are they provided like a hotel? Does it depend on the school?
What other issues might there be that I’m not thinking of?
My admin assistant has extreme sensitivity to fragrances, so I think I have a sense of what you are saying. Are fragrances in a shared bathroom a problem? How about with a roommate? Small-sized classrooms? You won’t be able to control what other people do. And there are kids who really like their fragrant grooming products.
The laundry situation varies from school to school. Some have laundry services, and some the kids do their own. Usually the issue is more that laundry stinks in a different way (at least with boys). The dorms have shared machines, so if residue is an issue, you will have to figure out alternatives.
I will say, not having teen laundry in the house is one of the perks of boarding school, so I hope you figure out a solution that doesn’t require you doing it for him. 
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I’d say this is definitely an issue to discuss with admissions and feel out how different schools would handle it. My guess is that smaller schools might have more control over the variables that could make it work.
My son is a prefect and has his own bathroom (He doesn’t need his own bathroom, it just turned out that way. He was fine sharing a hall bathroom that last two year). This room originally had another purpose (I’m assuming some other reason a student needed a private bathroom). There are 4 sets of laundry machines in his dorm (for 21 kids), so one could easily be “saved” for only a certain kind of detergent. The issue would be over how sensitive a student is. I know in a boys dorm, there is just no getting away from the AXE. Kids will be using things like deodorant or detergent and it’s fairly close quarters and smells “waft”.
My son is highly allergic to lavender. The school checked their cleaning products and they were fine (even the hand soap) so we didn’t need to deal with anything on that front. It hasn’t been a problem with roommates as he just tells them at the beginning of the year and they haven’t been opposed to checking their products, but I do worry about it during wrestling season as they are in such close contact with opponents and some men’s grooming products now use lavender. Not to compare, but it’s just so much to think about when there are that many kids in so many different situations.
Also, if you are moving forward, make sure that you have medical documentation as well as a list of accommodations that would be needed as allergies fall under ADA and many schools will either request or require a health plan. If sensitivities don’t fall into that category, you will probably want to do the same, you just won’t be covered by ADA>
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Glad to hear your school was so accommodating and thank you for the advice about medical documentation. I’ll need to get that processed.
Thank you so much for the information. I don’t think a shared bathroom would be a problem since it’s a short duration and decent ventilation is usually built in. Kiddo would definitely need to be matched with a compatible roommate. Certainly adds complication to an already complicated process.
Honestly - I would be concerned about the chemical sensitivities and having your expectations met. I think some schools are more accommodating than others. Also, consider gym requirements - there are a lot of chemicals in the athletics center. Would you seek an exemption? Cleaning crews use chemicals in the bathrooms that might be irritating to your student. I am not sure it is worth it. Also, you might want to consider schools in California where there are more outdoor spaces accessible all year long.
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