I have a very excited daughter who will be attending Kent next year as a freshman. I was looking at the options about how much to put in her account and was wondering about the culture of spending at Kent.
Are boarders more likely to spend time on campus at the snack place or do they go into town? A little of both?
Are they expected to get all supplies from the store on campus?
What are the hidden monthly costs?
Just trying to get a sense of how to do this. We have a daughter at a different boarding school (smaller) that does not have any of these options so this is new territory for us and we are not feeling particularly adept.
thanks- i suppose this does need to be in the parents section- any Kent families out there?
Sorry no one is answering, @freshlook, so I’ll give you an idea of what we’ve done at Choate FWIW. Choate is part of the town of Wallingford (no campus boundaries). Students snack on campus and in town and they get supplies from the school bookstore as well as from the local stores, especially the nearby WalMart. There are no “hidden” monthly costs from the school’s perspective but, of course, kids find all sorts of ways to spend money they don’t technically need to. Because they are comfortably housed and fed, they should be able to survive on a budget of $0, so you can decide how much “allowance” you’re willing to put into the account and how the account is to be used. Our kiddo doesn’t use his school account for any purchases, but we keep about $150 in there at all times to cover school debits for things like airport transportation. (He uses AMEX for all direct purchases anywhere, on campus and off.) Some kids also use the school account for cash withdrawals, some use ATMs to withdraw from savings accounts established for the purpose. You can decide what’s comfortable for you and your daughter and not worry too much about what anyone else does.
I would recommend putting a modest amount in the school account and then just wait and see how that amount works based on your daughter’s needs and habits once she gets there. You can adjust the amount easily enough.
The best chocolate shop EVER used to be located in the center of Kent. The owner/chocolatier took a position running the household of the British Ambassador in DC, so the shop is closed now… But there is still another somewhat pricey chocolate shop in town. Just sayin. In case your kid is a chocolate aficianado! 
I know this is probably way later than youd like but I am a senior at kent this year. The snack bar is a great resource, and students do go a lot, it gives a good little boost during the day or at night. Town is CRUCIAL and i wish i had utilized it more when i was a freshman. Kent coffee and chocolate is my absolute addiction as well as its nice to not have to have dining hall and have options for almost whatever. You dont have to get all youre supplies at the campus store but some teachers have specific things they want you to have and you wont know about that till the first day of classes, so get the basics and stuff before. There are no hidden monthly costs. THe only thing there is (well last year and years before) is $50 for each science (lab fees) and if you are signed up for an activity that costs money (such as yoga) or go on trips (like to broadway shows). Good luck and I cant wait to meet youre daughter this year
You are so nice to respond. This is exactly the detail I was looking for thanks!
My daughter is in the same class at Kent this year! I wish I had seen your post sooner!!