Selecting a boarding school is a significant choice for both families and students. Many elite boarding schools in the US provide excellent academic programs, extracurricular activities, and distinctive experiences that prepare students for college and beyond. Here are a few of the Best Boarding Schools in the US, along with their offerings and unique selling points.
Here’s the list of best Boarding Schools in the US are:
Choate Rosemary Hall
One of the Best Boarding Schools in the US is Choate Rosemary Hall. It was established in 1890 and is located in Wallingford, Connecticut. Approximately 865 students from all over the world are enrolled in the school. Choate is renowned for its cutting-edge curriculum, engaged campus community, and supervised self-directed learning. There are 23 sports offered by the school.
Phillips Academy Andover
One of the oldest boarding schools in the United States is Phillips Academy Andover, located in Andover, Massachusetts, 25 miles north of Boston. It was established in 1778 and has a long history of academic success. Notable graduates include Julie Andrews and George W. Bush. With an acceptance rate of only 13%, Phillips Academy Andover is also among the most selective boarding schools in the nation.
The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, Connecticut, has a boarding school called The Hotchkiss School. About 600 students from all over the United States and the world are enrolled at this 1891-founded institution. Hotchkiss is renowned for both its competitive sports teams and its demanding academic program. Additionally, the school offers several distinctive programs, such as the Janus Project, which enables students to enroll in classes at neighbouring colleges.
St. Paul’s School
Concord, New Hampshire is home to this US episcopal private boarding school. Established in 1856, it currently boasts approximately 500 students from over 30 states and 20 countries. Approximately 2,000 acres make up the school’s campus. Four mornings a week, the SPS community gathers in the Chapel. Its eighteen houses and more than seventy clubs and societies help students feel more connected to one another. The five main pillars of excellence that the school upholds are courage, kindness, honesty, inclusion, and respect.
Church Farm School
Established in 1918 as an independent boarding school for boys in grades 7–12, the Church Farm School is situated in Exton, Pennsylvania, and serves as a college preparatory institution. In keeping with its name and Episcopal roots, the school mandates attendance at meetings and chapel services once a week. The co-curricular C.O.R.E. (Challenge Of Required Experience) program, which offers chances for leadership development, outdoor experiences, community service, and exposure to the arts, is mandatory for CFS students. Schools like Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Emory, MIT, Princeton, Rice, Notre Dame, and Penn are frequently attended by graduates.
Concord Academy
Among the Best Boarding Schools in the US is Concord Academy. Founded in 1922, this coeducational private secondary school is situated in Concord, Massachusetts. This independent, coeducational school prepares students for college by emphasizing their intellectual development, experimentation, and experiential learning. It boasts top-notch faculty and its graduates include well-known doctors, dancers, engineers, authors, ambassadors, and entrepreneurs.
Woodberry Forest
According to the school website, one of Woodberry Forest’s unique graduation requirements is that each student complete 60 hours of community service and at least half of those hours must be “contact hours,” or “spent in direct contact with those benefiting from their service.” Every student also signs up for a leadership development course. In addition to Washington & Lee, UNC-Chapel Hill, UVA, and the University of Richmond, Woodberry Forest boys also attend the Ivies.
Verde Valley School
The Verde Valley School is an independent, co educational boarding school for students in grades 9–12 that was established in 1948 in Sedona, Arizona. Students in the Verde Valley participate in a weekly work job program, daily morning dorm chores, and multiple community service days all year long. Verde Valley, being an International Baccalaureate World School, concentrates on IB courses. Among other universities, current students attend Stanford, Vassar, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvey Mudd, and Claremont McKenna.
The Orme School
The Orme School is located in Mayer, Arizona, about an hour away from Phoenix. The Orme School is a distinctive co-educational boarding school for grades 8 through 12 that was established in 1929 with the goal of preparing students for college. One distinctive aspect of this campus is that it also houses a fully functional cattle ranch, which is used as a learning laboratory for the school’s Farm-to-Table initiative.
Miss Porter’s School
Miss Porter’s School is a private boarding school for girls that was established in Farmington, Connecticut, in 1843. U.S. News & World Report ranked it as the best boarding school for girls. Before their senior year begins, students are required to participate in three interscholastic team sports in addition to their demanding coursework. Every year, they also participate in themed seminars that provide them with formal leadership training. The subjects covered include strategic planning, problem-solving, teamwork, decision-making, and personal awareness.
Conclusion
The Best Boarding Schools in the US provide a special fusion of character development initiatives, varied extracurricular activities, and demanding coursework. By creating unique learning environments and promoting community values, these esteemed institutions help students grow intellectually and personally while preparing them for college and beyond.