What Is Boarding School?
Boarding school is a type of educational institution where K-12 students live on campus during the term. Students have access to their classes, meals, extracurriculars, and other amenities. Boarding schools deliver a structured environment that focuses on academic learning and independence. However, it’s much more expensive than public and private schools and isn’t always an ideal environment for every student.
Instead of commuting to and from home to attend school, students at a boarding school live on campus in dormitories throughout the academic year. Students learn within a structured environment that emphasizes personal development, community, independence, and discipline. Although there are options for K-12, most boarding schools in the United States are for 7th through 12th graders only.
A traditional boarding school focuses on a well-rounded education, but there are also specialized schools, such as:
- Preparatory: Also known as prep schools, these institutions prepare a student for college or university with a higher focus on academic rigor.
- Arts: Artistic and performing arts schools focus more on the arts, but still provide courses on traditional subjects. Students can choose to study music, theater, visual arts, dance, or something similar.
- Sports: Sport boarding institutions offer specialized training and development alongside an academic education.
- Religious: A student at a religious school will receive a traditional education alongside religious instruction.
- Military: Many military boarding schools are also prep schools. They focus on academics, character development, and leadership. Students will generally have a much more structured day at a military institution compared to other boarding schools.
Boarding schools may be 7-day or 5-day. At 5-day institutions, students go home over the weekend. Some even offer “day” in addition to boarding, which means the student lives locally and commutes to school, similar to a private school.
A Day In the Life
Like K-12 students at public or private institutions, students at boarding schools spend most of their time in classes. The exact timeline depends on the student’s class choices and the school itself.
After the last course of the day, the student can choose to spend the remainder of their day how they’d like, whether that’s studying, spending time with friends, or attending extracurriculars. Many boarding schools host a number of extracurricular activities, clubs, sport teams, and more.
However, a student’s day is highly structured. Whether attending classes or resting in their dorm, students are monitored by staff, including a housemaster, both for their well-being and to ensure they’re following the rules. Students are expected to attend roll call, meals, get ready for bed, and go to sleep at specific times. Older individuals tend to have more leeway in their schedules. For example, a 7th grader might be required to go to sleep by 9pm, but an 11th grader can stay up past 10pm.
Other scheduled blocks might include:
- Quiet time for study and homework
- Times to call home
- Supervised activities
- Relaxation time
- Free time
- Tea
- Tutoring
- Breaks
Pros & Cons of Boarding Schools
Boarding school isn’t right for every student, but there are advantages and disadvantages families should consider before enrolling their child.
A few pros of boarding schools include:
- Unique education: Boarding institutions offer unique opportunities, academics, extracurriculars, and experiences, especially if the individual attends a specialized school. Students are also immersed in the learning experience since they’re at the school year-round.
- Community: Boarding schools promote tight-knit communities that can lead to lifelong friendships, future networking opportunities, personal growth, and social development.
- A focus on independence: Even with a structured day, students still need to learn to be self-reliant. Boarding schools teach responsibility, self-discipline, and collaboration.
- Mentorship: Students have access to tutors and teachers who can help them excel. Students who do well in specific areas can also tutor younger students.
- College prep: Colleges value academic rigor, and strong grades with higher academic rigor could lead to a better chance of acceptance at the individual’s dream school. Students who attended boarding school might also find the switch to college life easier.
However, keep these downsides in mind, too:
- Homesickness: Being away from home for long periods can lead to homesickness and loneliness, especially for younger children. Some might find the transition difficult and struggle to adjust. Even though schools allow students to call home or go home over weekends and holidays, the change can be too drastic for some.
- Expensive: Boarding schools have high tuition fees as they have to cover room and board, academics, meals, extracurriculars, and more. Some institutions offer financial aid or scholarships, but other costs, including those for uniforms and school supplies, can be too much for many families. They’re much more expensive than public and most private K-12 schools.
- Stressful: Pressure to perform well, especially with a rigorous academic schedule on top of extracurriculars, can result in stress, anxiety, and burnout. In addition, bullying is often a concern.
- Lack of privacy: Students have to share communal space and often rooms with others, resulting in little downtime and personal space. They’re also under constant supervision.
- Highly structured: Not all students excel under highly structured daily routines. A rigid day-to-day schedule is stifling to some and they could find it difficult to adjust to the routine.
How Much is Boarding School?
The average annual tuition with 7-day room and board at private boarding schools within the United States is $69,150, according to the Education Data Initiative. 5-day boarding schools are slightly less expensive, averaging $55,425 annually. Currently, the most expensive is Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley, California, which charges $89,915 per year for tuition, boarding, and fees.
However, there are financial aid programs available, depending on the schools. 33.3% of boarding school students receive financial aid, an average of $33,047 per student. Some institutions also have discounts for military members and veterans.
Notable Boarding Schools in the United States
Here are just some of the boarding schools that are regularly considered some of the top in the country, along with their annual costs (tuition, room and board, and fees) for the 2025-26 academic year (unless otherwise noted):
1. Phillips Exeter Academy
- Location: Exeter, NH
- Annual cost: $69,537 (boarding) or $54,312 (day)
Often called Exeter, Phillips Exeter Academic (PEA) is the sixth-oldest boarding school in the United States, founded in 1781. A college-preparatory school, it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Alumni include Daniel Webster, President Franklin Pierce, President Ulysses S. Grant, screenwriter Tom Whedon, and Mark Zuckerberg.
2. Groton School
- Location: Groton, MA
- Annual cost: $61,810 (boarding) or $48,135 (day)
As of 2025, all students whose families have an income less than $150,000 and are accepted to Groton School are offered free tuition. The boarding school is smaller than many others, with fewer than 400 students. It was founded in 1884 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Some notable previous students are President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Sam Waterston, Fred Gwynne, and Quentin Roosevelt.
3. Phillips Academy Andover
- Location: Andover, MA
- Annual cost: $76,731 (boarding) or $59,478 (day)
Like the two previous schools, Phillips Academy – Andover meets the demonstrated financial need of its accepted students. 47% of students receive aid, about $45,000 on average for returning students, according to the boarding school’s website. Founded in 1778 in response to the education disruptions caused by the American Revolution, alumni included President George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jack Lemmon, and Bill Belichick.
4. Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Annual cost (2024-25): $66,500 (boarding) or $48,000 (day)
A newer and smaller boarding school with roughly 120 students in attendance, Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS) was founded in 2013. It offers a well-rounded education but focuses on math, science, engineering, extracurriculars, community, and citizenship, preparing its students for a college education and career in STEM. Many go on to study at MIT and Caltech.
5. Choate Rosemary Hall
- Location: Wallingford, CT
- Annual cost: $72,420 (boarding) or $55,990 (day)
Choate Rosemary Hall, often simply called Choate, was founded in 1890. The name comes from two sister schools, The Choate School for boys and the Rosemary Hall for Girls – they were merged in 1978. Students focus on the institution’s two priorities: academic rigor and character development. Past students include President John F. Kennedy, Glenn Close, and Paul Giamatti.
6. The Hotchkiss School
- Location: Lakeville, CT
- Annual cost: $77,240 (boarding) or $65,670 (day)
According to The Hotchkiss School website, 37% of students receive financial aid ($62,075 on average per student). Students are also offered aid for books, travel, spending, and healthcare. The school promotes sustainability, music, theatre, art, and athletics. Many students go on to study at the Ivy Leagues.
7. St. Paul’s School
- Location: Concord, NH
- Annual cost (2024-25): $72,408
All students who attend St. Paul’s School live on campus throughout the academic year. Families who make under $150,000 a year could qualify for full tuition aid – 38% of students receive financial assistance. St. Paul’s opened in 1856, and although it originally only accepted boys, it later was one of the first to also admit girls. Past students include John Jacob Astor IV, Archibald Cox, Robert Mueller, Judd Nelson, and Samuel Eliot Morison.
8. The Lawrenceville School
- Location: Lawrence Township, NJ
- Annual cost: $80,690 (boarding) or $66,400 (day)
Founded as the Maidenhead Academy in 1810, The Lawrenceville School got its current moniker in 1883. Like St. Paul’s, meets a student’s demonstrated need and more; they also provide funding for travel, spending, and extracurriculars as needed. Around 33% of students receive aid, $60,000 on average for boarding students. Charles Chaplin Jr., Michael Eisner, and Huey Lewis all attended the school.
9. Loomis Chaffee
- Location: Windsor, CT
- Annual cost: $75,650 (boarding) or 58,210 (day)
The Loomis Institute was chartered in 1874, but the school didn’t open until 1914. Although it originally admitted girls, the school ended coeducation in 1926, and girls were sent to nearby The Chaffee School. The two schools then merged in 1970 to become Loomis Chaffee. Grants at Loomis Chaffee range from $1,000 to the full cost of tuition, depending on the family’s demonstrated need. Aid is also available for textbooks and supplies.
10. Noble and Greenough School
- Location: Dedham, MA
- Annual cost: $71,300 (5-day boarding) or $65,200 (day)
The other boarding schools on this list are only for high school students and offer 7-day boarding. However, Noble and Greenough School, or Nobles, is a 5-day school that’s open to grades 7 through 12. In the past, it was also an elementary school. Nobles’ motto is Spes Sibi Quisque, which is a quote by Virgil in the Aeneid. It’s Latin for “Each person finds hope within himself or herself.”
Families considering boarding school should compare different institutions, research costs, and talk to their child about the advantages and disadvantages of attending. Every family and child is different, so it’s important to find an environment that supports the student, helping them to thrive academically and socially.
With a focus on academic rigor, strong grades at boarding schools could lead to an increase in acceptance chances at some highly selective schools. Learn more about what colleges and universities are looking for in a student with College Match.
