For nearly four decades, Gunston has hosted both domestic and international students with the support of experienced and skilled local host families in close proximity to Gunston. Each Gunston host family undergoes a comprehensive background check, and is personally interviewed by the Director of Community and Belonging at The Gunston School. Many host families are either current or alumni families of Gunston, and in addition to providing a safe, secure environment, meals, and ensuring transportation to/from school, host families care for their students and consider them to be a part of the family. This arrangement ensures an authentic Eastern Shore of Maryland cultural experience for students. Residential boarding applicants will work closely with Program Director Brad Hirsh and our Director of Community and Belonging, Ryan Asprion to identify a “best match” host family. 

Our Statement of Community and Belonging:

The Gunston School and the Chesapeake Watershed Semester promotes a welcoming and tolerant environment that values the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. We recognize, honor, and celebrate the rich diversity that exists within our community and our world, and we seek to engender in CWS students the cultural competence to embrace diverse ideas, perspectives and individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, diversity of race, ethnicity, language, nationality, gender, physical and mental ability, learning style, religion, class, and sexual orientation, as well as societal and world views. Our overarching aim is to prepare our students to navigate successfully as scholars, citizens, and leaders in a diverse global society.