The Very Best Boarding Schools In America

Boarding schools offer students a rare opportunity to dive into their education while fully experiencing the culture and character of a place. From the academic tradition of Massachusetts to the creative spirit of California, each state brings its own energy to campus life. It’s not just about where students learn—it’s about how the environment shapes who they become.

To make the search easier, we’ve spotlighted five states that consistently stand out as having the top boarding schools in the USA: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, and California. In each one, we’ve picked five exceptional schools that offer something truly special.

Let’s take a closer look at the schools that are setting the standard across the country.

Best Boarding Schools In Massachusetts

If boarding schools had a capital, Massachusetts might be it. The state is packed with legacy, ambition, and some of the sharpest minds around. Students here don’t just prepare for college—they step into a culture of curiosity that’s been thriving for centuries.

These five schools are proof that tradition and innovation make a powerful pair:

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1. Groton School 

Groton School isn’t just a pretty campus in Groton, MA (though it is stunning). It’s a place where students in grades 8 through 12 get more than just academics. You’ll find a community that’s all about character, leadership, and maybe a little healthy ambition. It’s rooted in Episcopal values but fully forward-looking, with challenging classes, meaningful service opportunities, and a tight-knit boarding environment. Groton doesn’t just prep you for college. It preps you for life. That’s not hype; it’s their mission.

2. Phillips Academy Andover

Established in 1778, Phillips Academy is older than most countries. But don’t let its age fool you. This school is sharp, diverse, and buzzing with energy. Located in Andover, MA, it’s the kind of place where you can dive into advanced coursework, launch a social justice initiative, and still find time to join the a cappella group. The vibe? Inclusive, high-achieving, and globally minded. And yes, the college acceptance list reads like an Ivy League yearbook.

3. Noble and Greenough School 

Nobles, as it’s affectionately called, is nestled in Dedham, MA, and caters to students in grades 7 to 12. The academics? Challenging but never soul-crushing. The community? Thoughtful, welcoming, and big on doing good in the world. You’ll find students who care just as much about giving back as they do about grades. Whether you’re into robotics or rowboats, you’ll fit in. Nobles knows how to balance excellence with empathy, and that’s a rare combo.

4. Deerfield Academy 

Deerfield might look like it stepped out of a New England postcard, but don’t be fooled. Behind that ivy and brick is a school that’s constantly innovating. It’s coed, highly selective, and serves grades 9 through 12. Academics are top-tier, athletics are serious, and leadership is baked into daily life. Oh, and here’s the real headline: starting September 2024, families making under $150,000 pay zero tuition. Others won’t pay more than 10% of their income. So yes, you get prestige without the financial panic.

5. Middlesex School

Concord, MA, is home to this gem of a boarding school that believes in challenging students without crushing their spirits. With small class sizes and a sharp faculty, Middlesex delivers top-notch academics without losing its heart. Students explore everything from philosophy to fencing, and they’re encouraged to be curious, bold, and kind. Add in a gorgeous campus and a vibrant arts scene, and you’ve got the recipe for a well-rounded high school experience.

Best Boarding Schools In Connecticut

With its historic campuses, ivy-covered halls, and sharp academic focus, Connecticut has long been a home for serious learning. But it’s not all tradition and tweed—these schools blend high expectations with fresh ideas and tight-knit communities.

Take a look at five that continue to raise the bar.

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1. Choate Rosemary Hall 

Choate isn’t just a school; it’s practically its own universe tucked away in Wallingford. This place serves students from grade 9 through postgraduate with an academic punch that’s as refined as it is demanding. Think cutting-edge STEM labs, Pulitzer-worthy writing courses, and dorms that feel like boutique hotels. The arts? Thriving. Athletics? Intense. Campus? A breezy 458 acres of New England perfection. It’s the kind of school where students learn to dream big and execute even bigger.

2. The Hotchkiss School

Hotchkiss has been raising the bar since 1891, and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down. Located in Lakeville, this school turns curiosity into a lifestyle. With over 270 courses, you can deep-dive into molecular genetics before lunchtime and then switch gears to global politics or environmental science. It’s academic heaven with a side of character-building, and the views of the Berkshire foothills don’t hurt either. Hotchkiss is for students who want to do more and do it well.

3. The Loomis Chaffee School 

Loomis Chaffee in Windsor likes to keep things dynamic. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill prep school. With students from all over the world, the school turns its classic New England campus into a launchpad for global citizenship. It’s intellectually demanding but supportive, too, which means you’ll be challenged and cheered on at the same time. Whether you’re into philosophy, field hockey, or filmmaking, Loomis helps you find your voice and use it well.

4. The Taft School 

Taft, located in Watertown, is one of those schools that’s serious about academics but still knows how to laugh at assembly. The classes are tough, the teachers are inspiring, and the motto is all about not being served but serving others. That kind of ethos runs deep. With strong programs in science, arts, humanities, and everything in between, Taft students grow into bold, thoughtful leaders who also happen to make great friends and teammates along the way.

5. Miss Porter’s School 

Miss Porter’s is a girls’ school, but forget everything you think that means. Located in Farmington and educating changemakers since 1843, this place blends academic strength with bold ambition. The students here don’t just prepare for college—they prepare to run the world. Whether they’re coding in the tech lab, performing in the black box theater, or speaking at global leadership conferences, Porter’s girls do it all with confidence and purpose. And yes, they still have time for dorm karaoke nights.

Best Boarding Schools In New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, learning comes with fresh mountain air and a whole lot of purpose. This is a place where students think deeply, hike often, and carry on some of the strongest academic traditions in the country. The schools here balance reflection with rigor, and the views aren’t bad either.

These are the five that set the standard:

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1. Phillips Exeter Academy 

Welcome to the academic big leagues. At Phillips Exeter Academy, it’s not about raising your hand; it’s about raising the bar. Known for its legendary Harkness method (think students leading discussions around an oval table), Exeter turns every classroom into a think tank. With one of the largest secondary school libraries in the world and enough course options to rival a liberal arts college, this place doesn’t just prepare you for college. It prepares you to outsmart it.

2. St. Paul’s School 

At St. Paul’s in Concord, you don’t just go to school—you move in. This fully residential campus is as picturesque as it gets, with Gothic buildings, gorgeous lawns, and even a skating pond in winter. But don’t let the charm fool you. The academics are serious, and the community vibe runs deep. Students are pushed to think critically, reflect spiritually, and serve generously. It’s the kind of school that molds thinkers, doers, and future changemakers.

3. Holderness School 

Holderness is what happens when top-tier academics meet the great outdoors. Located near the White Mountains, it’s the kind of place where you might tackle a calculus problem in the morning and a backcountry trail in the afternoon. With a curriculum that blends classroom rigor with wilderness challenges, students leave with a rock-solid transcript and some serious grit. Holderness builds brains, sure, but also resilience, joy, and a love for adventure.

4. Brewster Academy 

Set right on the edge of Lake Winnipesaukee, Brewster Academy feels a little like summer camp with college-prep intensity. Known for its innovative teaching model, Brewster tailors education to each student’s strengths and learning style. It’s big on tech integration and even bigger on building confidence. Small classes, strong mentorship, and a collaborative campus culture make Brewster a place where students thrive in and out of the classroom.

5. Dublin School 

If you’re looking for a school that feels more like a quirky, brilliant extended family, Dublin might just be your spot. Tucked into the Monadnock Region, this school does the academic heavy lifting but keeps things deeply personal. You’ll find high-level courses, a knockout arts program, Nordic skiing trails, and even a student-run maple sugaring operation. Dublin is where curiosity, creativity, and community come together in the most charming way.

Best Boarding Schools In New York

New York moves fast, and so do its schools. Education here keeps pace with the energy of the Empire State—sharp, ambitious, and always looking ahead. Whether you’re tucked away in the Hudson Valley or living high above the skyline, these schools deliver a learning experience that’s as bold as their surroundings.

Here are five that lead the way.

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1. The Masters School 

Tucked in Dobbs Ferry with sweeping views of the Hudson, The Masters School is what happens when brains meet culture. This 5–12 school blends classic liberal arts with real-world problem-solving and plenty of city access (NYC is just a train ride away). Boarding students, especially in the upper grades, get the best of both worlds—a peaceful, leafy campus and an open invitation to museums, theater, and the energy of Manhattan. They call their classroom method “Harkness,” which is code for being ready to speak up, think hard, and stay curious.

2. The Storm King School 

Perched in Cornwall-on-Hudson, The Storm King School delivers strong academics with a serious view upgrade. It’s small, international, and full of energy, with students from over 25 countries. The vibe is creative, outdoorsy, and supportive. Whether you’re composing a symphony, launching a startup, or hiking the school’s own nature trails, Storm King gives you room to grow—literally and figuratively. It’s equal parts academics, art, and Adirondack chill.

3. Millbrook School

Yes, Millbrook has its own zoo. And yes, the academics are just as impressive. Set on 800 bucolic acres in the Hudson Valley, this coed boarding school serves grades 9 through 12 with a sharp academic program, top-tier athletics, and standout arts. Students here don’t just write essays and take tests—they learn to lead, care for the environment, and think like innovators. If you’re looking for a place where sustainability, community, and ambition collide, Millbrook is it.

4. Léman Manhattan 

This one’s for the city kids—or those who want to be. Léman Manhattan is right in the Financial District, and it gives new meaning to the “urban campus.” Students board in a luxury high-rise and study in a globally-minded curriculum that includes the International Baccalaureate. Boarding is open for grades 9 through 12, and the community is tight-knit, cosmopolitan, and as forward-looking as the skyline outside their windows. It’s the ideal setting for future diplomats, entrepreneurs, and dreamers with a subway pass.

5. The Stony Brook School 

On Long Island’s North Shore, Stony Brook isn’t just teaching kids to get into college. It’s teaching them to think deeply, act ethically, and serve others. This 7–12 school marries challenging academics with a values-based education rooted in character development. Students get to explore their passions in a warm, family-like atmosphere where the goal isn’t just to be smart—it’s to be good. If you want academic strength and heart in equal measure, this is your school.

Best Boarding Schools In California 

The Golden State has always done things a little differently. Boarding schools here blend strong academics with a sense of adventure, creativity, and independence. Whether nestled in the mountains or overlooking the coast, these schools reflect California’s bold and forward-thinking spirit.

Here are five that truly stand out:

1. The Thacher School 

Thacher doesn’t play by the usual rulebook. Sure, the academics are top-tier, and the college placement is stellar, but what really sets this Ojai gem apart is its legendary Horse Program. Every ninth grader gets paired with a horse for the year. Yes, a real horse. Students learn to ride, care for, and connect with these majestic creatures while tackling advanced coursework. Thacher is all about character, challenge, and community, and it’s been doing it with style since 1889.

2. Cate School

Set in the foothills of Carpinteria, Cate has ocean views that make you want to major in mindfulness. But don’t let the chill vibes fool you. Cate’s academics are tough, its teachers are passionate, and its students are go-getters. Small classes, big thinking, and a culture of curiosity define this 9–12 school. It’s also one of the most selective in the state, with strong test scores and a tight-knit boarding community that feels like family.

3. The Webb Schools

The Webb Schools are really two schools in one—Webb School of California (for boys) and Vivian Webb School (for girls)—but they share a 150-acre campus and a love for serious learning. Located in Claremont, Webb is known for academic muscle and, fun fact, its very own on-campus paleontology museum. Between AP classes and fossil digs, students grow into scholars, leaders, and thoughtful global citizens. It’s a place where ambition meets adventure.

4. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy

Up in the hills above Pasadena, Flintridge Sacred Heart is where girls are encouraged to lead loudly and learn deeply. This Catholic boarding and day school is known for its emphasis on faith, service, and sisterhood. But don’t mistake it for old-fashioned. The school offers top-tier academics, a vibrant arts scene, and plenty of modern electives. With a strong sense of community and empowerment, it’s a launchpad for confident young women.

5. Idyllwild Arts Academy 

If your child’s sketchpad is never closed or the violin never leaves their side, Idyllwild might be a dream come true. This arts boarding school, tucked into the San Jacinto Mountains, caters to musicians, dancers, visual artists, filmmakers, writers, and performers. The academics are college prep, but the creative training is at the next level. It’s intense, inspiring, and ideal for students who want to make art, not just pass tests.

Need Help? Cardinal Education Can Lend a Hand!

We’ve listed the best of the best boarding schools in America, but being the best comes with a few snatches. These best boarding schools in the U.S. are notorious for their competitive admissions. That’s why we always strive to help students and their families the best way we can. Here at Cardinal Education, we offer help by giving you the necessary skills to succeed in your academic journey. With academic coaching and test prep, we ensure students are in their best shape to tackle any tasks! Contact us today and let our experts guide you!

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