Home Away from Home

DCA's Dorm Ministry

July 27, 2026

It may not be common knowledge to everyone familiar with DCA, but at its founding, our school was primarily a boarding school.

Before a majority of students commuted to school each day, most students resided on campus during the school year—and some still do.

This article will focus on dorm life here at DCA and international student life, as a majority of our boarding students come to us from different parts of the world.

Dublin Christian Academy: Boarding School

When DCA’s founders established Dublin Christian Academy in 1964, the landscape of Christian education was significantly different from what it is today.

New England families had very few options back in the 60’s if they wanted to send their children to a private, Christian school. With the reality of hours (or several hours) of commuting time for most of these families, boarding at DCA was a necessity.

Fast forward to today. Although the core values have remained the same over the decades, DCA has transformed in many ways. What began as a school for high schoolers only is now a Pre-K through 12th-grade school. With many Christian schools in the New England area at present, the need for boarding has diminished but not disappeared. A majority of our students today are day students.

However, we still do have students who live on campus for the majority of the year – about 10 percent of our student body. Most of the students who live in our dormitories have been international students in recent years, although we often have a small number of students from New England. Let’s take a look at dorm life at DCA in the present.

Dorm Life Today

Residential living is a vibrant and foundational part of the student experience at Dublin Christian Academy. DCA operates two single-sex dormitories, each staffed by a resident dorm supervisor and a dorm assistant who provide daily guidance, structure, and support. Although most of our dorm students live on campus full-time, we do have part-time options available for students who live more than 30 minutes from campus.

Supervisors manage morning and bedtime routines, lead group devotionals, coordinate meals, and arrange transportation for essential shopping trips. They also organize dorm activities, such as shopping trips, pizza parties, bowling, game nights, and movie nights.

Spiritual growth is at the forefront during the students’ residential experience. In alignment with our mission, all dorm students attend Mountain View Bible Church on Sundays, located right on the school campus. Students participate in Sunday School, as well as morning and evening Sunday services. Those who return home for the weekend are expected to maintain this commitment by attending church with their families.

DCA’s dormitories are designed to feel like a home away from home. Each room is equipped with one to two beds, two closets, and a desk. Residents share common bathroom and kitchen facilities. Beyond their rooms, students can gather in the dormitory lounges to relax, watch movies, study together, and socialize.

Daily dining is straightforward and accessible. Breakfast is self-served in the dorms each morning, while lunch and dinner are prepared and provided daily by the kitchen staff. Additionally, coin-operated laundry facilities are available within the buildings for student use.

What our Boarding Students say about living at DCA

We wanted you to hear directly from our international students about how living on campus has impacted their lives. This is why they had to say:

“Dublin, New Hampshire, was a world away from everything I knew. I can’t remember how many times explaining that I am not in Ireland. Woods replaced skyscrapers, and the hustle of traffic gave way to the rustle of leaves and the crunch of snow. I found myself in a state whose motto declares, ‘Live free or die’… I experienced freedom as a calling to love and to serve others as depicted in Galatians 5:13. In Dublin’s quiet, I discovered the loudest part of myself—the part that reaches out to others and to the person I am becoming.” – Mason Zhang, Class of ‘25

“Last year, God gave me the wonderful opportunity to come to this school which is full of the Lord’s love. As an international student, English is not my first language, but the teachers at DCA didn’t give up on me and worked hard behind the scenes to help me improve my English. With the support of my classmates and teachers around me, I have slowly adapted to the learning environment.” – Priscilla Cheng, Class of ‘26

“In pursuing freedom and better opportunities, I decided with my family to move to the United States to continue my education… Looking back, I realize that overcoming cultural differences and mental barriers isn’t about changing who you are to fit in. It’s about growing into the best version of yourself while learning from the people and experiences around you. I still have a long way to go, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I am looking forward to the path that God is leading me. Every small step forward is in His guiding hand.” – Dan Sun, Class of ‘25

“When I first came to my new school, everything was new: new classes, new life, which caught me off guard for a while. In addition to the differences in living habits and culture, a bigger challenge was how to get along with my classmates… In one of the activities organized by the school, I gradually met many new friends and teachers. Their friendliness and support helped me slowly adapt to the new environment. I am very grateful to them and to God for arranging this new life for me.” – Ethan Wang, Class of ‘25

Check out our International Testimonials page to read our students’ full stories.

Offering a Home Away from Home

While our dorm students are away from home, DCA’s goal is not only to create an environment where students can study and thrive academically, but also a place to relax, have fun, and fellowship with staff and fellow students. Our discipleship mission to nurture, train, and grow the next generation of Christian leaders does not end when school dismisses. This is a 24/7 ministry, especially for the students who call DCA home during the school year.

We currently have openings in our guys’ and girls’ dormitories, and we are now offering a referral program! For anyone who refers a new international student who enrolls in DCA, we offer a $1,000 monetary gift; if a current student refers a new international student, they get $ 1,000 off their tuition.

While they are here in Dublin, New Hampshire, we strive to make our boarding students feel welcomed as a part of the DCA family, where they can be at peace and feel safe while away from home.

“My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 21:18 (NKJV)

Please reach out to us if you have any questions or want to learn more about DCA dorm life or schooling for international students.

Home Away from Home

DCA's Dorm Ministry

Dublin Christian Academy: Boarding School

Dorm Life Today

What our Boarding Students say about living at DCA

Offering a Home Away from Home

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