<p>I stayed away from these schools at the beginning because they were religious but I've slowly become more accepting. How big of a role does religion play? Do students go to chapel? Does one have to be the school's denomination to get in? Etc?</p>
<p>I don’t think it plays a big role at all, except you have to attend chapel for meetings or assemblies, etc. You’re not forced to any religion - students with any denomination will get accepted, and I think Chapel is only a traditional aspect, a part of the school culture.</p>
<p>Everyone could use little faith these days at times when there is nothing else left. Certainly is not going to hurt you. Despite the fact that the vast majority of boarding schools here in the States were founded under the principles of the Episcopal Christian Faith, I am unaware of any U.S. boarding school that today prophesies religion upon it’s students. The Chapel talks are given by faculty, students, alumni and friends of the school and range from personal stories to life changing epiphanies usually coupled with lessons in humanity.</p>
<p>I do believe that religion does play a role in those schools, maybe not to the same extent to when I went to catholic school. I have visited 2 schools where you are required to either attend their Sunday service or any other church or religious house of worship in town. While they are not forcing their religion upon you, they expect you to actively participate in your spiritual education and take time to worship.</p>
<p>My oldest child attends an Episcopal boarding school, St. Mark’s School. An applicant does not have to be Episcopalian to get in. There aren’t that many Episcopalians! Other Episcopal boarding schools are St. George’s, Brooks School, Kent, Groton, St. Paul’s, Holderness, St. Andrews School (DE), and others. [Episcopal</a> Boarding Schools | BoardingSchoolReview.com](<a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/religion-boarding-schools/religion_id/1]Episcopal”>Best Episcopal Boarding Schools (2023))</p>
<p>Students are required to attend chapel. The schools strive to welcome all faiths. You must decide where your “comfort level” lies. No one will try to convert you. You will have many fellow students who are agnostic.</p>
<p>I believe most schools have “chapel talks” by seniors and faculty. That’s a big deal for the seniors. The seniors speak to the entire school at chapel. [Chapel</a> Talks - St. Mark’s School](<a href=“http://www.stmarksschool.org/on-campus/chapel/chapel-talks/index.aspx]Chapel”>http://www.stmarksschool.org/on-campus/chapel/chapel-talks/index.aspx) For schools you’re considering, search: “chapel talk” “name of school”.</p>
<p>Depending on the school, students may be required to take a certain number of classes in Religion. This is not a catechism class, rather classes on the history of religion and/or ethics. Most schools have course descriptions online. </p>
<p>If you sing in the choir, you will sing in the chapel. Many of the songs will be hymns. (By the way, the Service of Lessons and Carols is beautiful at all these schools.)</p>
<p>At St. Paul’s you have Chapel 4x/week. It’s secular (in that there’s a hymn and a prayer) but nondenominational. There are students of many different religions on campus and the school makes efforts to accommodate them all, e.g. they’ll take Jewish students to the temple in Concord for High Holidays services.</p>