Boarding schools are special types of institutions which provide children and young people with accommodation, food, care and professional assistance of the staff. The importance of boarding schools lies precisely in the fact that they act as an extended arm of the family home or as a complete replacement for the family home. The aim of this paper is to examine the functioning of boarding schools and their role in the educational system. Student dormitories belong in the system of secondary education, and they replace the family home of students who study outside of their place of residence. Children's homes are a special category of boarding schools that accommodate children without parents or without adequate parental care. The main goal of upbringing in all boarding schools is to raise a free and an independent man who will be able to respond to professional demands, and the demands of the society and culture in which he finds himself. Educators have the main role in achieving this goal. Through quality communication, understanding and respect, educators can create a good relationship with their students. The ideal place to establish a relationship with students is the educational group in which most of the time is spent. Educators can use various forms of educational work in the educational group. By continuously working with students and working on themselves, educators can achieve the goals of education in boarding schools.