Choosing Between UK and US Boarding Schools: Guide for Parents Overseas

U.S. and UK boarding schools provide an outstanding pathway to tertiary education. Top private and boarding institutions can significantly increase your student's chances of getting into top colleges in the U.S. and UK. A survey by Boarding Schools has shown that 60 percent of students primarily apply for the opportunity to receive a better education. The survey also reports that 78 percent of students are more prepared for college through their boarding education.

Deciding between sending your child to a UK or US boarding school can be an overwhelming choice. Both countries offer prestigious, high-quality education options steeped in history and tradition. From academic focus and extracurricular offerings to campus culture and post-graduation trajectories, a range of factors must be weighed.

In this guide we'll delve into the nuanced differences between UK and US boarding schools, empowering you to make an informed choice aligned with your child's unique needs and aspirations.‍

Why Boarding School?

Before delving into the key differences between US and UK boarding schools, it's important to first understand the overarching advantages of a boarding school education compared to other secondary school pathways.

Boarding school provides a rich and experiential academic experience that ignites curiosity and creativity in the classroom and beyond. Its curriculum can be tailored to the needs of the student, equipping them with the expertise and acumen needed to succeed in competitive global markets. Depending on the school, some schools offer a more generalist curriculum and others offer the option to customize curriculum where students work closely with advisors to design individualized curricula and learning experiences tailored to their strengths and interests.

In this method of education, students are encouraged to learn through hands-on experimentation, independent projects, and seminar-style classes. By providing a holistic learning environment, boarding schools not only help in achieving academic excellence but also foster communication and social skills and positively impact students' self-esteem, executive functioning skills, independence, and self-growth.

Understanding the Key Differences

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While UK and US boarding schools share some common features like small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, there are some fundamental differences in their education systems. Getting familiar with these contrasts in approach, curriculum, university admissions process, and culture will help inform your decision.

Curriculum and Assessment

American boarding schools take a holistic approach to education, emphasizing personal growth and character development alongside academic achievement. They offer flexibility to explore a wide range of subjects and interests. In contrast, English boarding schools traditionally follow a more structured and standardized curriculum with strong emphasis on core subjects such as mathematics, sciences, humanities, and languages.

The contrasting approaches to assessment in UK and US boarding schools reflect their respective educational philosophies. In the UK, the tradition of exam-based assessment is heavily relied on to measure a student's progress. Conversely, US boarding schools adopt a more holistic approach to assessment, encompassing a broader spectrum of factors beyond exam scores such as presentations, essays, and projects.

Arts and Sports

US boarding schools typically offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports to music to theater. The holistic approach to education in US boarding schools extends beyond academics to encompass a wide array of extracurricular activities. Most US boarding schools require students to participate in either sports, visual arts, music, theater, or dance. The top schools also require students to diversify their extracurricular portfolio, for example, a student who is the lead in the play, the president of the debate team, and the goalie for the soccer team.

UK boarding schools also offer a variety of activities, but have a stronger focus on traditional sports such as cricket, rowing, and rugby. UK schools have stronger traditions in arts like the choir, the orchestra. For example, Westminster Cathedral Choir School sings with the official choir of Westminster Abbey.

Culture and Tradition

US boarding schools often emphasize individualism and leadership, while UK boarding schools may have a more traditional and hierarchical culture. The UK boarding schools are steeped in tradition and are renowned for their academic excellence and emphasis on character development. Schools like Eton College is one of the oldest schools in the world that has educated numerous aristocrats and monarchs throughout history up till now. In contrast, US boarding schools value diversity and inclusivity within their communities, reflecting the multicultural society of the US.

How Daily Life Differs?
US boarding schools tend to have longer school days, with more classes and extracurriculars built into the schedule and fewer opportunities for free time. A majority of UK schools are very similar to US schools where the timetable is built around academics, extracurricular and sport, but there are some English schools that often have shorter school days with more free time for social activities. US boarding schools typically have dormitories with double or single rooms for students, while UK boarding schools often have houses with shared bedrooms for younger kids and single rooms for the sixth form pupils.

One thing unique to the English schools is how students are organized into different houses, each with their own identity/rivalries, and students often bond through unique traditions, sports team spirit, and cultural activities. In contrast, US school spirit and cultural activities are often formed around specific school vs school rivalries.

University Pathways

Navigating the university application process can be daunting, but UK and US boarding schools offer invaluable support and resources to guide students through this journey.

Attending a US boarding school can indeed be a pathway to top US colleges and universities, including the Ivy League. They often have strong college counseling programs and connections with prestigious institutions, helping students navigate the college application process. UK boarding schools can be a pathway to top UK colleges and universities, including renowned institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and other Russell Group universities. These prestigious institutions offer rigorous academic programs that prepare students for the challenging entrance examinations and application processes.

It may be worth noting that the skills build and the structure of life in the US sets your child up for US admissions (and perhaps not UK admissions) and the skills  build and the structure of life in the UK set them up for UK admissions (and not well to meet the standards for US college admissions)

Support Services and Resources

UK boarding schools have dedicated "pastoral teams" comprising housemasters/mistresses, tutors, and resident staff who oversee the welfare and well-being of students in their care. Additionally, there is  a matron in every house. Pastoral caregivers are available round-the-clock to provide guidance, support, and assistance to students, ensuring that they have access to help whenever they need it. Whether students are grappling with homesickness, academic concerns, or personal challenges, pastoral staff are there to lend a compassionate ear and offer practical solutions.

In the US, there are "house parents" in place of pastoral caregivers and student "prefects" or student "resident assistants" as added supports to the same end. An equivalent support system is offered in American boarding schools through a combination of residential life programs, counseling services, and peer support networks. Students are typically assigned a faculty advisor who serves as a mentor and point of contact for academic and personal concerns.

What’s Next? 

The admissions process for the best boarding schools is rigorous, designed to select pupils on the basis of academic abilities and personality/character. While specific application procedures may vary between institutions, competitive boarding schools often have common core components. By understanding these key pieces, you can begin strategically preparing your kid to shine during the demanding admissions process.

Research Schools: Narrow down the list of potential boarding schools on the basis of your child's academic, extracurricular, and personal preferences. Consider factors such as size, academic offerings, location, extracurricular opportunities, and school culture to find the best fit for your child's needs and aspirations.

Take Introductory Tours: Once you have completed the first step, your next step should be to visit as many of the schools on your short list as you can. Take your child along for the visits so that they can see what is the right fit and speak to why they want to apply to schools they select specifically in interviews and essays. Schools care about if it is a student or parent driven process, and would rather see children than parents on campus

Understand the timeline: Familiarize yourself with the admissions timeline for each boarding school, including application deadlines, testing dates, and notification timelines. Due to the high influx of applications, some top boarding schools in the UK may require parents to register 2 to 3 years ahead of the testing/joining date.

Prepare for Standardized tests: Most boarding schools have rigorous entry procedures, including entrance exams and interviews. In the UK, it is usually the Common Entrance Exam or school-specific exams, whereas in the US, the SSAT/ISEE are required at many schools.

Choosing between UK and US boarding schools is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of various factors. Understanding the key differences in curriculum, culture, and university pathways is the first step towards making an informed choice. While this guide can help you choose a school or a few potential schools, the second phase of actually applying can be a lot more challenging due to the distinct application process and requirements for each school. Understanding these nuances early on when applying to multiple programs is key to maximizing your child's chances of acceptance.

Interested in exploring the boarding school route? We have a robust system for helping students and families identify the best-fit schools. Our advisors are experts in guiding students and families through all aspects of finding and applying to top boarding schools in the US and UK. Their guidance can save you time and stress by pointing you towards programs that are the ideal fit for your family.

Have more questions? Book a complimentary consultation with our team of boarding school advisors to get all your queries answered.