If you are considering spending grades 9-12 at a boarding school, you are about to make a financial investment comparable to tuition and living expenses at a private college. Fortunately, in 2024, there is no shortage of excellent boarding schools in the US, some dating back to the 1700s. These schools send large numbers of graduates to Ivy League universities annually. In addition to the more famous New England names, there are also esteemed schools in Texas, California, and Washington, D.C. that cater to the country’s most talented teens. This blog profiles the best boarding schools in the US, many of which are also top-ranked globally. Here are the 25 Best Boarding Schools in the US 2024. Top Boarding Schools in the US listing includes details like Tution fee requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
25 Best Boarding Schools in the US
1. Phillips Exeter Academy
Tuition: $55,000 per year
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 33
Acceptance Rate: 15%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $60,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to top universities like Harvard and MIT. Many become leaders in business, science, and the arts.
Academic Highlights: Exeter offers advanced courses in science, math, and humanities. Students can join clubs, sports teams, and arts programs.
2. Phillips Academy Andover
Tuition: $54,800 per year
Median SAT: 1490
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $58,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend prestigious universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become doctors, lawyers, and business leaders.
Academic Highlights: Andover offers a wide range of courses, including many advanced classes. Students participate in sports, arts, and community service.
3. St. Paul’s School
Tuition: $53,000 per year
Median SAT: 1480
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $57,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to top universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become influential leaders.
Academic Highlights: St. Paul’s offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
4. Lawrenceville School
Tuition: $52,500 per year
Median SAT: 1470
Median ACT: 32
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $56,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: Lawrenceville offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
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5. Choate Rosemary Hall
Tuition: $51,800 per year
Median SAT: 1460
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 18%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $55,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Choate offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
6. Hotchkiss School
Tuition: $50,000 per year
Median SAT: 1450
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $54,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become influential leaders and professionals.
Academic Highlights: Hotchkiss offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
7. Deerfield Academy
Tuition: $49,800 per year
Median SAT: 1440
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 20%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $53,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Deerfield offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
8. Groton School
Tuition: $48,500 per year
Median SAT: 1430
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 22%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $52,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: Groton offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
9. The Taft School
Tuition: $47,800 per year
Median SAT: 1420
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $51,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Taft offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
10. The Hill School
Tuition: $46,500 per year
Median SAT: 1410
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 24%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $50,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become influential leaders and professionals.
Academic Highlights: The Hill School offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
11. Milton Academy
Tuition: $45,800 per year
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $49,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Milton Academy offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
12. Loomis Chaffee School
Tuition: $44,800 per year
Median SAT: 1390
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 26%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $48,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: Loomis Chaffee offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
13. Middlesex School
Tuition: $43,500 per year
Median SAT: 1380
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 27%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $47,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Middlesex offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
14. The Lawrenceville School
Tuition: $42,800 per year
Median SAT: 1370
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $46,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become influential leaders and professionals.
Academic Highlights: Lawrenceville offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
15. The Hotchkiss School
Tuition: $41,500 per year
Median SAT: 1360
Median ACT: 29
Acceptance Rate: 29%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Hotchkiss offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
16. The Peddie School
Tuition: $40,800 per year
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $44,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: Peddie offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
17. The Mercersburg Academy
Tuition: $39,500 per year
Median SAT: 1340
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 31%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $43,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Mercersburg offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
18. The Thacher School
Tuition: $38,800 per year
Median SAT: 1330
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $42,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become influential leaders and professionals.
Academic Highlights: Thacher offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
19. The Kent School
Tuition: $37,500 per year
Median SAT: 1320
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $41,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Kent offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
20. The St. Mark’s School
Tuition: $36,800 per year
Median SAT: 1310
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $40,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: St. Mark’s offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
21. The St. George’s School
Tuition: $35,500 per year
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $39,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: St. George’s offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
22. The Groton School
Tuition: $34,800 per year
Median SAT: 1290
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Admission Requirements: Excellent grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $38,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top universities and have successful careers in various fields. Many become influential leaders and professionals.
Academic Highlights: Groton offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
23. The Middlesex School
Tuition: $33,500 per year
Median SAT: 1280
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $37,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like finance, medicine, and technology. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Middlesex offers a wide range of courses and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
24. The Lawrenceville School
Tuition: $32,800 per year
Median SAT: 1270
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Admission Requirements: Strong grades, high test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $36,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates attend top colleges and have successful careers in various industries. Many become entrepreneurs and executives.
Academic Highlights: Lawrenceville offers challenging courses and many extracurricular options. Students can participate in sports, arts, and community service.
25. The Hotchkiss School
Tuition: $31,500 per year
Median SAT: 1260
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Admission Requirements: High grades, strong test scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $35,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates go to prestigious universities and have careers in fields like law, medicine, and business. Many become leaders in their professions.
Academic Highlights: Hotchkiss offers rigorous academic programs and many extracurricular activities. Students can join sports teams, music groups, and clubs.
Choosing a boarding school is a significant decision that requires thorough research and consideration of your academic and personal goals. The schools listed above offer a variety of environments and opportunities to help you achieve success.
Best Boarding Schools in the US 2024 – Conclusion
Choosing the right boarding school in the US is a pivotal decision that can significantly influence your academic and personal development. The top boarding schools, such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, and the Thacher School, offer exceptional educational programs, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and supportive communities. Thorough research, campus visits, and discussions with current students and alumni are essential in making an informed choice. By selecting a school that aligns with your goals and interests, you can ensure a rewarding and enriching high school experience that paves the way for future success.