Not all boarding schools are created equal. Some are for students pursuing a unique talent, discipline, or sport. Some are for those students who need extra support and discipline to prepare for college. And others — the ones we share below — are for among the best and brightest students in the world. Loyal readers of Ivy Coach’s college admissions blog will recognize many of the schools on this list as among the top Ivy League feeders in the country, with dozens of Ivy League matriculations each year.

But it’s not because of their college admissions track record that we consider these schools special. They’re also pretty incredible in their own right. Just by looking at their manicured campuses and state-of-the-art facilities, we wouldn’t blame you for mistaking them for elite colleges themselves! So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the best boarding schools in the U.S.:

The Best Boarding Schools In The United States

Boarding School	Location
Lawrenceville School	Lawrenceville, NJ
Phillips Academy—Andover	Andover, MA
Hotchkiss School	Lakeville, CT
Deerfield Academy	Deerfield, MA
Groton School	Groton, MA
Phillips Exeter Academy	Exeter, NH
St. Mark’s School of Southborough	Southborough, MA
Choate Rosemary Hall	Wallingford, CT
St. Paul’s School	Concord, NH
Loomis Chaffee School	Windsor, CT

1. Lawrenceville School

Lawrenceville School is known for its rigorous academic programs, vibrant extracurricular offerings, and commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and leadership. The school’s distinctive House System allows students to develop close-knit bonds with peers and mentors, creating a tight community atmosphere. The blend of traditional and progressive teaching methods, combined with a focus on character development, ensures graduates are prepared for success in college and beyond. Lawrenceville’s esteemed faculty and resources provide an enriching experience for all students. Each year, dozens of Lawrenceville seniors matriculate to Ivy League schools.

2. Phillips Academy — Andover

Phillips Academy — Andover is a prestigious institution renowned for its rigorous academics and commitment to intellectual excellence. As one of the oldest and most selective boarding schools in the United States, Andover attracts students with diverse talents and interests. The school’s global perspective, enhanced by its strong humanities, arts, and STEM departments, provides an educational experience that mimics Ivy League classrooms. Andover fosters a culture of inclusivity and encourages students to take intellectual risks, develop leadership skills, and engage with challenging ideas. With a vast network of alumni, Andover produces students who become titans of industry and major players in every major professional sector.

3. Hotchkiss School

Hotchkiss provides individualized attention from expert faculty and promotes a culture of academic honesty, integrity, and empathy. The emphasis on character development and leadership prepares graduates for success at the nation’s top colleges and universities, where a remarkable number of Hotchkiss alums end up. With its focus on global initiatives and small class sizes, Hotchkiss is also home to a number of international students, many of whom continue their education at US colleges and universities. Over 25% of the student body is on financial aid, underscoring just how generous Hotchkiss’ financial aid program is.

4. Deerfield Academy

Deerfield’s strong athletic programs, renowned art department, and commitment to service provide students with ample opportunities for growth and exploration that only continue once they make it onto elite college campuses. With a focus on holistic character development, leadership, and academic excellence, Deerfield prepares students to succeed at top colleges and universities. The school’s beautiful campus, strong sense of tradition, and dedication to fostering a supportive environment make Deerfield a standout choice for motivated students. Plus, their 90-minute classes are a novelty among American boarding schools and allow in-depth academic exploration.

5. Groton School

Groton School combines an academically rigorous curriculum with a deep sense of tradition and community. Groton’s history is long and winding, known for its close-knit, residential atmosphere, but while its reputation for strict discipline and religious piety has certainly waned over the years, aspects of this campus culture remain. The school’s emphasis on leadership, integrity, and service cultivates responsible and thoughtful individuals ready to excel in college and beyond. Like many of the other schools on this list, Groton has an expansive financial aid program. Students with family incomes below $150,000 attend for free. Groton is a historical feeder for Harvard University.

6. Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy is renowned for its commitment to intellectual rigor and its distinctive Harkness method, which encourages collaborative learning and critical thinking. With a highly diverse student body and a vast array of academic offerings, Exeter provides an exceptional educational experience. Exeter’s alumni network is vast and influential, aiding students in their post-graduation endeavors. The school’s alumni include notable figures, including former presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Exeter houses the largest high school library in the world. A notable facet of the Exeter experience is their Washington Intern Program, in which students travel to DC and intern in the office of a member of Congress.

7. St. Mark’s School of Southborough

Founded on the British Public School model in 1865, St. Mark’s School of Southborough offers a rigorous academic program and a strong focus on personal development, preparing students for success in college and life while being buoyed by considerable mental health and wellness services. St. Mark emphasizes a balance between intellectual curiosity and personal well-being, offering opportunities for involvement in athletics, the arts, and service. Alumni of St. Mark’s will be happy to remind you that the students over at Groton School are lifelong rivals. In fact, the football rivalry between the two schools is the fifth oldest high school football rivalry in the United States.

8. Choate Rosemary Hall

Choate Rosemary Hall is renowned for its academic rigor and commitment to fostering a diverse, intellectually curious student body. “Dynamic Balance” is the key phrase that characterizes a Choate education. The school’s beautiful campus, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse extracurricular opportunities provide a formidable experience that seamlessly translates to elite college campuses. Choate encourages students to pursue academic excellence while developing leadership, creativity, and resilience. The close relationships between students and faculty and the school’s strong commitment to community and social responsibility ensure Choate graduates are equipped to thrive.

9. St. Paul’s School

St. Paul’s School combines a rigorous academic program with a strong sense of community and character development. With an endowment nearing the $800 million mark, St. Paul’s is one of the wealthiest boarding schools in the world, which might explain why 38% of students are on financial aid. The school’s extensive traditions, including a historical jam band concert and various civic engagement programs, create alums with a strong sense of noblesse oblige, or a duty to help those less fortunate. However, the school pecking order demands the reverence of the underclassmen to the upperclassmen.

10. Loomis Chaffee School

Loomis Chaffee School is known for its rigorous curriculum, diverse student body, and commitment to fostering leadership and service. Loomis provides various extracurricular opportunities, from athletics to the arts. It encourages students to explore and develop their talents while learning in its classroom environments with a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school’s emphasis on community and character development ensures that students grow academically and as responsible, empathetic individuals. Unlike many other schools on this list, Loomis has been coeducational since it began admitting students in 1914.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance With Boarding School Admission

Is your middle school-aged child ready to take the next step in their pursuit of an elite education? Are you daunted by these institutions’ highly competitive application process, which routinely denies highly qualified applicants yearly for lack of space in the incoming cohort? Ivy Coach has got your back. 

Our team of former elite college admissions officers is well-versed in optimizing the odds of admission to highly selective colleges and the nation’s top boarding schools. We’ll even furnish you with a list of hidden gem boarding schools that didn’t make it onto this list but have impeccable track records for elite college admission. To get started with us, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.