New Family Hub

• Check your email regularly; new information will be coming out.
• Record Release Form, Health Records / Cumulative Records. This was at ASD or will be mailed to those who did not attend.
• Complete required forms such as Magnus. (coming soon)
• Download the required apps such as REACH and Magnus. (coming soon)
• Review Important Dates (below)
• Prepare for move-in/orientation (coming soon)
• Review billing / financial aid info if needed
• Review packing list (coming soon)
• Sign up for communication channels (at check-in or email communications@mssm.org)
• Check technology needs (device registration)

• One Page Quick Guide

• Forms due - May 1st
• Move-In: August 19th, 2026 - Schedule Soon
• 2026 Break Schedule
• Things will be added here as they come up.

• Handbook and other Student Links
• Packing List (coming soon)
• Check-in schedule (coming in summer)
• What to have in hand at check-in
• Device Registration for the school network

• Academics - Your student's advisor. (Those will be assigned during the summer)
• Academic Support (Beyond Advisor) - academic-support@mssm.org
• Transportation for Breaks - transportation@mssm.org and look for forms & schedules in the Penguin Weekly leading up to the break. We ask parents to update their students' break transportation before every break. Here is a sample break schedule for March, which is a long weekend break.
• Non-Break Transportation: (early departure, checking a student out for a weekend, doctor's appointment): ri@mssm.org
• Dining Hall Matters: Phebe DesJardins, Director: phebe.whitley-desjardins@compass-usa.com
• Anything Financial Related: Business Office: businessoffice@mssm.org
• Medical - Nurse Kristin Damboise, RN: health-support@mssm.org
• Mental Health/Counseling - Dustin Damboise, LSW:  health-support@mssm.org
• Website / Penguin Weekly - communications@mssm.org

RI= Residential Instructor (Adults in the Dorm) also the email group for dorm matters, ri@mssm.org

LC = Learning Center (Library)

LCS = Limestone Community School (Pre-K through 8)

Penguin Day = planned or not, day with no classes. There's always one after J-Term ends before regular classes start.

J-Term = January Term. Two-week period of taking one special class from 9-3 or an off-campus trip or an internship.

Breaks = either occasional long weekends (Friday 4:30 to Tuesday evening) or week-long breaks (Sat to following Sun). Sept. & Oct. are long weekends, November has a week, December to J-Term is about 3 weeks, February is a week, March is a long weekend, April is a week, then graduation.

More will be added as we remember things that may not make sense to new families yet.

• We send a weekly newsletter called the Penguin Weekly every Friday at 1 PM. It goes to all students, staff, and families. Contact communications@mssm.org for updates to the mailing list or to request that something be added.
• We post stories to our website, ideally, twice a week. You can see current and past stories on this page.
• We also post to Facebook, Instagram (mssmpenguins), and LinkedIn.

Basic timeline from Accepted Students Day to the first day of school.

Accepted Students Day - April 12/13

April Break (week long) - April 18-26

May 1st - Magnus forms due

Graduation May 30 (will be livestreamed to our YouTube channel)

See our staff directory for photos.

When are important deadlines for enrollment, housing, health forms, and course selection?

See the section above on Important Dates.

What should our student pack for dorm life?

We will send a packing list in the summer.

How are roommates assigned? Can students choose their roommate?

Are the dorms secure?

Yes! Everyone has a keycard to get into the dorm and then a room key. The wings are alarmed each night and locked from the outside. Students can exit the wings in case of an emergency.

Are boys and girls in separate residence halls or wings?

Students reside by how they identify.

What does a typical daily schedule look like?

Check out these Day in the Life videos made by students.

When do classes start and end each day?

8:30 AM start, most end at 3:25, excluding some music and art classes.

What support is available if a student is struggling in a class?

Are there tutors, office hours, or study sessions?

How does course placement work?

Dr. Eustis-Grandy will work on results from the placement tests and place students in classes after ASD and during the summer.

What are the rules for leaving campus?

We use REACH for managing off-campus requests. More information will come at summer check in.

What transportation options are available for getting to and from campus?

Parents drop off at check-in and pick up at graduation. For other breaks, we provide downstate transportation. For students who need to ride the Cyr bus that departs at 7 AM in Caribou, we can drive them to that. We are also able to accommodate students who need to go to Presque Isle Airport which departs at 5:45 AM. We leave the dorm at 4 AM and arrive by 4:30 AM to make sure we get through security in time. We can also pick up students from the Cyr bus and Airport as needed.

Is there transportation for breaks and long weekends?

Yes! If students live south of Houlton or in Houlton, we have buses that depart either Fridays or Saturdays, depending on the break. They stop at a few major cities along I-95, and we post the schedule to the Parent Landing Page a few weeks before break. If you live in the County, there is no bus service, and you will need to pick up your student or make arrangements. We ask that parents fill out the Transportation Form on the Parent Landing Page before each break.

How does the school handle food allergies or dietary needs?

Mrs. Phebe in the dining hall is able to accommodate allergies and special dietary needs as long as the student advocates for themselves and lets the staff know when they are in line.

What should we do if our child has medical needs or takes medication?

Contact heath-support@mssm.org which goes to health services and the student life coordinator.

Is there a nurse or health center on campus?

Yes! Nurse Kristin Damboise has a room on campus and handles daily needs. The Student Life staff handles evening meds and off-hour needs.

How are counseling and mental health support handled?

Our Licensed Social Worker, Dustin Damboise, is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3 PM.

How does MSSM help students manage stress?

What is the mobile phone policy?

Are students allowed to have cars on campus?

This is covered in the Community Handbook.

Does every student need a laptop?

No, but it is highly suggested. We do not supply laptops to all students, but we have a few that can be loaned out temporarily.

How does communication with families work?

We send out a newsletter with all the upcoming information on Fridays at 1 PM. It's called the Penguin Weekly. We limit mass communication with parents from the School to avoid overwhelming everyone with too many emails. We will discuss this more at check-in in August.

What clubs, activities, and sports are available?

There are several student-created clubs on campus.

Can students start their own clubs?

Yes, and most of our clubs were created by students. Do a Google search for "MSSM Lettuce Club" and learn about our worldwide claim to fame.

What do students do on weekends for fun?

There are a number of campus activities and off-campus trips. The activities are posted to the Parent Landing Page. Here is a sample from March of 2026.

How does MSSM help students build friendships and community?

A student once noted that boarding school life was like having 100 of your best friends stay at your house every night. Most students stay in the dorm on weekends and spend time in clubs or participating in the many planned and pop-up activities. Graduates have said that after 3-4 years at MSSM, their relationships felt like they had known their classmates for much longer. Like-minded people find themselves gathering, and many form their own sub-communities.

What are the main school rules and expectations?

These are laid out in the Community Handbook.

What happens if a student gets homesick?

We encourage positive discussions such as, "You are going to have such an amazing time at MSSM. We can't wait to hear about it when you come home for breaks." When parents say things like, "I am going to miss you so much." It often puts stress on the students, and they feel as if they are abandoning the family.

How can parents support their child during the transition?

Your support matters most in the small things. Stay in touch, help your child get ready before move-in, send the occasional snail-mail letter or care package, and encourage them as they adjust to a new school, new routines, and greater independence.

What costs should families expect beyond tuition or enrollment fees?

Are there fees for trips, activities, books, or supplies?

How does laundry work?

There is a laundry center with machines that take cards. The cards cost $5 to initially purchase and after the cost of the card, there will be $3 remaining on the card. Each cycle costs $1.50. The cards can be replenished at the machine by the dorm office.

What is the mail and package process for students?
Send packages or letters to :
Student Name
95 High St.
Limestone, ME 04750

We deliver them to the dorm, and students pick them up from there.

Can students have visitors?

This will be updated soon.

What are the break schedules and move-in/move-out dates?

Check our calendars page. And scroll down to the PDFs.

What makes students most successful during their first year at MSSM?

Understanding that asking for help is not a sign of failure. MSSM is a big change for students, especially those coming from 8th grade. It's truly like they are entering college with college-level classes, a college schedule, and living in a dorm. It takes a while to understand the new rules and systems and there are missteps along the way. MSSM has a strong support network, including office hours, structured study time, tutoring, guidance and counseling, small-group advisors, and more. Students have to learn to ask for help, and that will keep them on the road to success at MSSM.

This is a work in progress that will be updated as we receive and answer more questions.