Senior boarding prefects Hank Etzler, Ruby Dozier and George Coyle are ready for the new school year
Baylor’s 133rd school year officially begins on Wednesday, Aug. 13, with 1,114 students enrolled, including a record-setting 240 boarding students as boarding capacity continues to expand.
Day students arrive from 18 different area schools and from families who have recently relocated from other states. On the residential side, the domestic boarding students represent 19 different states, while international students, constituting 29 percent of the boarding community, come from 18 countries across four continents.
Over the past year, the admission team handled another record number of applications and posted another record-low selectivity rate across both day and boarding applicant pools. The school will welcome 256 new students to the Baylor community this fall.
Head of School Chris Angel '89 has announced plans for construction of a new dormitory complex on Rike Field designed to meet a growth in boarding enrollment while enhancing the overall student experience.
The project includes construction of two new dormitories providing 96 beds, a new Admission Office with event space, a new Wellness Center that will include a modernized Health Center and Counseling offices, supporting a holistic approach to student wellness.
The design preserves Rike Field's historical integrity while creating a more park-like atmosphere with improved parking and landscaping.
"After examining multiple possibilities throughout campus, this is the area that makes the most sense," said Head of School Angel. "The design pulls in architectural features from other buildings and blends in well." He added that the Friday night tailgating and the Tiger Walk will continue as beloved school traditions.
While some preliminary work took place at the worksite this summer, an official groundbreaking ceremony will take place in September, with completion expected by spring 2027. Students will move in by fall of that year.