Boarding schools have long been renowned for providing a unique educational experience, steeped in tradition and fostering personal growth in students. These top-tier institutions provide transformative opportunities for students from across the globe. Whether your interests lie in academics, arts, athletics, or service, boarding schools allow students to pursue their passions and challenge themselves. While some schools excel academically, others thrive in arts or athletics.
Let's delve into the world of US boarding schools! This blog will provide you with the information you need to guide your decision on whether to choose a boarding school in the US for your child.
History of Boarding Schools
Boarding schools trace their roots back thousands of years. However, the modern concept as we know it today emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in Europe and the United States.
Originating in Europe, boarding schools existed as institutions where aristocratic families would send their children to receive comprehensive education beyond the confines of home tutoring. Eton College and Harrow School in England emerged as bastions of privilege, shaping the intellectual and social landscape of the elite. Meanwhile, in the United States, institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy and Phillips Academy Andover played pivotal roles in shaping the American educational landscape, emphasizing rigorous academics and character development. The expansion of boarding schools across the Atlantic and then worldwide led to their evolution to cater to a more diverse demographic, offering unparalleled academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Throughout history, boarding schools have fostered and produced remarkable individuals who've left lasting impacts across all realms of society. Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, honed his programming skills and entrepreneurial mindset at Phillips Exeter Academy. Academy Award-winning actor Jack Lemmon discovered his passion for acting and refined his craft on the school's stage at Phillips Academy Andover.
Today, boarding schools continue to evolve. While their historical roots may lie in exclusivity, their modern-day ethos is one of diversity, inclusivity, and a commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and innovators.
What are the Advantages to Boarding School?
Boarding schools offer a myriad of benefits that extend beyond academics. Whether your interests lie in academics, arts, athletics, entrepreneurship, or service, boarding schools allow students to pursue passions and challenge themselves. Let's examine each positive aspect of boarding school one by one.
Academic Rigor
Top boarding schools typically have rigorous academic programs that offer access to advanced classes and hard-to-find subjects such as molecular biology, ecology, financial literacy, neurobiology, and more. These schools typically offer more advanced courses than the average public school, including both Advanced Placement and other advanced studies. Some schools even choose to develop their own unique curricula, tailored to support the school's mission and distinguish their brand.
For example, Interlochen Arts Academy has partnered with Indiana University's Advance College Project to provide a selection of dual-enrollment courses taught on campus by Interlochen's faculty. The same is true for other top-tier boarding schools across the country.
Stepping Stone to Elite Unis
Sending your child to a top-tier boarding school can enhance their application to elite universities globally. Preparatory schools, such as Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul's School in the US, serves as pathways to competitive universities in the US.
Additionally, boarding schools prioritize holistic education, emphasizing not only academic excellence but also character development, community service, and extracurricular involvement. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions, explore new interests, and make meaningful contributions to their school and community—all of which stand out to college admissions officers.
Quality & Close Attention
With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, boarding schools offer personalized attention that nurtures academic excellence. The average class size of top schools is anywhere between 10 and 15. Private school enrollment can include between 150 and 1200 students, but most retain small class sizes to encourage deep discussion. One of the reasons for the small class size can be attributed to the most popular teaching method in US boarding schools, which is the "Harkness Table," where students lead discussions on various topics in a round table setting.
Unique Programs
One thing that is common across all top-tier boarding schools is their unique academic programs. Each school is known for its specialized academic programs, extracurriculars, and research opportunities.
Here are some unique programs specific to some of the top boarding schools:
- In Northfield Mount Hermon, a group of 30 students work on a farm, combining science, lab/project work, business skills, and sustainable living lessons each term as part of NMH's multidisciplinary farm curriculum. The farm includes a student-built greenhouse, a sugar house, and a cider house; students collect thousands of gallons of sap annually to make maple syrup for the community.
- The Science curriculum at Thacher includes specialized programs such as the Environmental Science & Policy Program, where students engage in hands-on research and fieldwork.
Independence and Practical Skills
At boarding school, when students manage their own schedule and make other choices on their own, they learn to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and resilience. This independence fosters practical skills such as time management, decision-making, and problem-solving.
US Boarding School Requirements
Boarding schools in the US have demanding requirements that vary from school to school, but as a general rule, the weightage between different components is split between academics (40%), extracurriculars (30%) and essays and interviews (30%).
Most schools will require the students to submit their SSAT scores as a prerequisite, along with grades from the last two years. Generally all schools ask students to take an in-house English proficiency test or submit TOEFL/IELTS scores unless they have attended an English-speaking school for several years beforehand.
In addition to this, schools usually require applicants to submit more than 2 distinct essays, often with limited overlap between the schools. Some schools ask for a parent essay as well. The interviews are usually aligned at the time of registration which means getting to the interview is not after any round of cuts. They may be conducted at the campus or via video conferencing.
Most top boarding schools have fixed application deadlines. The first step of application is to be completed in September for most of these schools, though this may vary between schools.
The Top 10 Boarding Schools in the US
Is Boarding School the Right Choice for Your Child?
Boarding school is a suitable option for your student if they demonstrate genuine interest and a willingness to embrace the experience. Furthermore, independence has been observed to be a major factor in determining success at these schools. Boarding school can be a very intense environment for the student, so the first step is knowing your child's interests. Each of these schools differs in size, resources, and opportunities, so ensure that you spend some time researching the school and what it offers, or you can rely on us to do that for you. The schools even differ in personalities. For example, some are formal, some are warm and friendly, some are competitive and hyper-independent, some have a strong school spirit, some are more connected to nature, and some require community service on campus. Finding an authentic fit for your child will help them thrive in school and beyond.
The search for the right boarding school can be overwhelming for parents, with hundreds of excellent institutions to consider. Moreover, these schools have rigorous acceptance criteria, with admission rates rivaling Ivy League institutes. But worry not, we have made this challenging process a little easier for you.
Interested in exploring the boarding school route in the US? We have a robust system for helping students and families identify 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. 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.
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