You have no memories from before St Daphne's Orphans School. You and your three siblings are the only students, and the staff outnumber you dramatically. Principal Boggins teaches philosophy, Mistress Tally doubles as the nurse and biology teacher. Glum is the groundskeeper. Chemistry is taught by Professor Glass.
The grounds are large, and so long as you attend classes, you are more or less given the run of the place during the day. Each night you are put to bed by the teachers.
You're coming to the worrying conclusion that you've been at this school for significantly longer than is normal. Based on your readings, you believe that you're 17. But, when you count the years backwards, you get stuck well before you reach your childhood.

Based on the Orphans of Chaos series by John C. Wright