Boarding Schools: A Unique Experience for Your Kids
Have you ever considered boarding school for your kids? While it’s not always the right fit for every family, boarding school can be a great opportunity for kids to gain a sense of independence and thrive in an individualized, yet collaborative and communicative environment. Your kids are not just taking classes at a boarding school, they are exploring their passions outside the classroom, getting involved in student life, making friends across the hall and so much more. When they attend a boarding school, they join a family. As you continue your school search, check out these boarding schools and see what they have to offer.
Ross School
Ross School’s mission is to change the way education meets the future; to foster interdisciplinary, integrated thinking and innovative leadership; to engage fully in the global community, and to facilitate lifelong learning. Ross School is a co-educational boarding (Grades 6–12, PG) and day school (N-Grade 12, PG) located on a beautiful campus in East Hampton, about two hours east of New York City. Serving approximately 400 students and attracting a world-class faculty, the School offers a global, integrated curriculum with engaging courses in science, math, arts, humanities, and wellness, with opportunities for independent study, competitive athletics, extracurricular activities, and travel. The Ross educational experience aims to impart to young people a 21st-century skill set and the inspiration that will motivate them to keep their minds actively engaged in learning. The School stresses direct personal experiences, inquiry through primary sources, and hands-on interpretation and analysis of information. Ross School has a successful college placement program, with 100% of applicants receiving acceptances at competitive colleges and universities.
Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Known for its unique opportunities and emphasis on diverse interests, WMA is a special place. It’s an independent, college-preparatory, coeducational middle and upper school for boarding and day students, located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. It’s amazing that the school has a Trading Center where your kids can learn real trading experience and better understand the global market. They also have a robust traveling program called Traveling Titans, where students can visit other states and countries to extend their learning beyond the classroom. At WMA, your kids will be exposed to new interests and passions, and they’ll certainly be encouraged to pursue them!
Knox School
The Knox School is Long Island’s oldest established, co-educational boarding and day school. Their inclusive environment serves grades 6-12 and Post-Graduate, providing students with a broad world perspective and a wide range of skills to prepare them for the next phase of their journeys. At Knox, everyone knows your name and each student’s potential is unlocked and maximized because of the boundless experiences a Knox education provides. Knox School is proud of its 100% graduate acceptance rate to top four-year universities. Whether you are an aspiring engineer or equestrian, artist or actor, designer or performer, mathematician or writer, a Knox education prepares you for unlimited success after high school.
Solebury School
Located on 140 acres in beautiful Bucks County, PA, only 75 minutes from New York City, Solebury School is an all-gender, college preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12. There is no single way to experience Solebury, but there is a core approach. They start with helping students plant the seeds of their own education, then nurture and cultivate that until it grows into something strong and life-lasting. With 235 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, everyone at Solebury is known and valued. They offer an environment of educational excellence that prioritizes the individual and prepares students for success in college and beyond. Solebury is what school should be.
Linden Hall
On the lookout for a well-established, well-known and highly respected school? Linden Hall is the oldest independent boarding and day school for girls in the US, celebrating its 275th anniversary this year! With a nationally recognized equestrian program and other specialty programs like aviation, engineering, fine arts and more, Linden Hall has earned a stellar reputation in the academic community. Your kids will be welcomed into a diverse and inclusive environment with students representing 37 countries and 12 states. They’ll be encouraged to get involved at school, choosing from over 30 student-led clubs, including an award-winning Key Club and internationally recognized DECA Club.
Emma Willard
For more than 200 years, Emma Willard School has instilled in students a love of learning, the habits of an intellectual life, and the character, moral strength, and qualities of leadership to serve and shape their world. Emma is a thriving, diverse college-preparatory boarding and day school in Troy, New York. The school’s academic pillars of intellectual flexibility, community, equity, and justice ensure that students walk away with a life-long sense of purpose. With a balance of academic rigor, personalized opportunities to grow and create, and a focus on individual wellness, Emma Willard School prepares students to go out and impact their world.
Saint Thomas Choir School
A unique boarding school for boys in grades 3 through 8, Saint Thomas Choir School is known for its demanding musical program, robust academic curriculum, interscholastic sports, and fine arts education. The tuition is affordable, with a 100% need-blind admissions process. All musical levels are considered and any boy who likes music is encouraged to apply! The school cultivates excellence, true confidence in students via real-world musical performance at a professional level. And with an average class size of 6 and a student-faculty ratio of 2:1, your kids will certainly be heard both in and out of class and get the personal attention every child needs to succeed.
Oakwood’s Staff is fully trained to engage students both in-person and remotely. SEL (Social & Emotional Learning) is integrated into the programming, with full-time school counselors to support students in- and outside the classroom.
With five- and seven-day boarding programs, Oakwood engages students in a diverse and inclusive community. From the classroom, to the stage, to the sports fields and beyond, the school helps students step outside their comfort zone, find their voice, and expand their understanding. With the largest enrollment in over 50 years, Oakwood welcomes students from eight countries, several states, and the greater New York city area.. This Fall, Oakwood is celebrating 100 years in the Hudson Valley and 225 continuous years of Friends Education!
Marianapolis is a Catholic co-educational boarding and day school nestled in northeast Connecticut. Located 2.5 hours from NYC, Marianapolis serves over 300 students from around the globe. Experiential learning is the core of the Marianapolis pedagogy, featuring short-term explorations – from cranberry bogging to blacksmithing – and a week of travel-based study in the spring. The traditional college-prep curriculum can be coupled with targeted tracks in Business & Entrepreneurship, Social Justice, or Innovation. Since 1926, Marianapolis’ family-oriented, values-based community has empowered each student to hone their vision for the impact they will make on our ever-changing world.
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