Choosing the “right” school is one of the most important choices a student and their family can make. While traditional public and private day schools offer strong academic programs, top boarding schools provide a unique, immersive educational experience that can be life-changing.
Here’s why students should consider attending a top boarding school in the US or overseas over other schooling options.
1. Commitment to Academic Excellence
Top boarding schools, specifically those ranked annually in the “Top 20”, in the U.S. and Abroad are known for their rigorous academic programs, expert faculty, and small class sizes. These amenities provide students with the opportunity to receive personalized attention, often benefiting from a lower student-to-teacher ratio, advanced coursework, and specialized programs.
These schools are known primarily for preparing students exceptionally well for college and future careers. For example, the average class size at many of the best US Boarding Schools in the Northeast such as Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, and Phillips Exeter Academy is 10-12 students.
Leading International Boarding schools such as Institut auf dem Rosenberg in Switzerland, run slightly smaller at 6-8 students.
In contrast, many US public schools(state schools overseas) have 30 students per class and even some US private schools (public schools non-US) have upwards of 20 kids per class.
2. Immersive Learning Environment
Unlike standard day schools (public or private), where teacher-to-peer learning stops once the last bell of the day rings, boarding schools offer a 24/7 educational environment. Students live on campus among faculty, allowing them to engage in structured study halls, academic discussions beyond the classroom, and enriching extracurricular activities that make them feel closer connected and structure bonds. Additionally, these schools invest heavily into their campuses to provide access to state-of-the-art facilities that further the immersive experience in all things they do throughout all hours of the day.
While many Top Boarding Schools have ‘Day Student’ Options, these spots tend to make up less than 10 percent of the total enrollment and often include the children of faculty, staff, and nearby residents.
3. Global Community = Global Network
Top-tier boarding schools in the US and other Western Countries attract students from around the world. Fostering an endless environment of diversity and cross-cultural connections, these students benefit from learning to collaborate with peers from different backgrounds, helping them develop a global mindset and valuable networking opportunities for the future. These relationships often go beyond just the years in the classroom but can extend into building networks worldwide that help students gain new opportunities once they graduate. In an ever-increasing global world, having touchpoints around the globe can quickly transform your career and personal pathways much quicker than those who only have access to those who live locally.
4. Personal Growth and Independence
Living away from home teaches students essential life skills such as time management, responsibility, and self-discipline. They learn to navigate challenges independently while having the support of mentors, house parents, and peers Throughout the past few decades, various studies have also showcased how boarding schools provide a “springboard” for growth and maturity that standard day schools do not for students. This is not to say that day students are not mature, but that often boarding school students “skip the line” in many ways as they reach a need for independence early on. This leads to better preparation for future endeavors including an easier transition in the college experience and understanding how to connect with a broader audience in a new environment.