Quick Answer for Busy Parents
Archbishop Riordan runs one of the only urban boarding programs in the nation, welcoming students from across the country and around the world. Boarders live on two fully furnished dorm floors, eat three daily meals from culinary partner Epicurean, and use campus facilities like the Engineering Makerspace. Boarding applications are accepted on a rolling basis and include a required interview.
A Boarding School in the Heart of San Francisco
Unlike most boarding schools set in the remote countryside, Riordan sits in San Francisco’s Ingleside neighborhood. Ocean Avenue, with shops and restaurants, is a five-minute walk away, BART and MUNI offer a short ride downtown, and SFO is 15 minutes from campus. City College of San Francisco is directly across the street, where students can take college-level courses, and Stanford, UC Berkeley, USF, and Santa Clara University are all less than an hour’s drive away.
| Destination | Distance From Campus |
| Ocean Avenue | 5-minute walk |
| Downtown San Francisco | About 12 minutes by BART or MUNI |
| SFO | 15 minutes |
| OAK | 40 minutes |
| San José airport | 60 minutes |
Is Boarding Right for Your Child?
We help families weigh day versus boarding and prepare for Riordan’s required boarding interview.
Residential Life That Feels Like Home
Living Spaces and Amenities
Boarders live on two fully furnished floors of dorm rooms with modern communal bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and cable TV, free laundry, a brand-new kitchen, a recreation room with ping pong and gaming, and a resident advisor office with computer and printing access. A study hall with a coordinator and teacher supports academics.
Dining
Culinary partner Epicurean provides all three daily meals, with options for dietary restrictions and allergies, and boarders enjoy a private brunch and dinner on weekends. Nearby favorites include Original Joe’s of Westlake and El Burrito Express.
People Who Help Students Feel at Home
Director of Boarding and International Student Counselor David Lin leads a team of resident advisors, so students living far from family have adults close by to help them feel at home.
Weekends and the City as a Classroom
- Hiking and camping
- Surfing in Santa Cruz
- College visits to UC Berkeley and Stanford
- Ski and snowboard trips to Lake Tahoe
- Professional sporting events, from the Warriors to the Giants
- Special boarding student retreats
How to Apply for Boarding
Boarding and international day applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students submit the online application, a passport copy, and transcripts (recommendation letters are optional), and complete a required interview in person, via Skype, or via Zoom. International students are encouraged to submit TOEFL or TOEFL Junior scores. After acceptance, the school issues an I-20 once enrollment paperwork is complete, and each family designates an adult guardian in the Bay Area. Families who want to visit campus should contact admissions at least two weeks ahead.
Choosing Riordan Boarding With Confidence
For international families and domestic families alike, Riordan offers something rare: a full boarding experience inside a world-class city. We help families decide whether it fits their child and prepare students for the interview.
Let’s Talk About Riordan Boarding
From fit to the interview, we’ll help you plan with clarity.