This qualitative phenomenological study was done to better understand the school experience of adolescents after the death of a parent. The participants were adults over the age of 19 and between 3 and 43 years past the death of a parent during adolescence. The study involved personal, reflective interviews with each of the participants. The interviews were analyzed and compared to identify five recurring themes. Three essences were identified which evolved into one essential essence. Issues affecting participants' reactions to parental death were identified. The limitations of the study were summarized. The implications for school nurses were discussed, and recommendations for future research were suggested.