The 50 Most Expensive Boarding Schools In America
#50 Trinity-Pawling School
#48 The Gunnery (tie)
Location: Washington, Conn.
Total cost: $51,200
Enrollment: 205
Each year on Founder's Day, the school has the Founder's Day Regatta, a crew team competition.
Source: The Gunnery
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#48 St. Paul's School (tie)
Location: Concord, N.H.
Total cost: $51,200
Enrollment: 536
There are 18 residential houses on campus, ranging in styles from 19th century Gothic architecture to modern minimalism.
Source: St. Paul's School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#47 Choate Rosemary Hall
Location: Wallingford, Conn.
Total cost: $51,240
Enrollment: 837
Choate has a massive online library with over 80,000 eBooks and 26 digital databases.
Source: Choate Rosemary Hall
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#46 George School
Location: Newtown, Penn.
Total cost: $51,250
Enrollment: 540
Students can study and become fluent in any one of four languages offered in the curriculum, including Latin.
Source: George School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#45 The Hill School
Location: Pottstown, Penn.
Total cost: $51,400
Enrollment: 506
The students at The Hill School created their own game called Javelin Ball, or J-Ball, which is essentially a game of baseball played with a tennis ball and racquet.
Source: The Hill School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#44 Mercersburg Academy
Location: Mercersburg, Penn.
Total cost: $51,425
Enrollment: 436
The campus is equipped with a 65,000 square-foot performing and visual arts center.
Source: Mercersburg Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#42 St. Andrew's School (tie)
Location: Middletown, Del.
Total cost: $51,500
Enrollment: 298
The St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums Corps teaches students the bagpipes and field drummer, and performs during major athletic events.
Source: St. Andrew's School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#42 Gould Academy (tie)
Location: Bethel, Maine
Total cost: $51,500
Enrollment: 240
Gould has seven different mountain sports teams, from snowboarding to Alpine skiing to Nordic skiing, which practice and compete at the nearby Sunday River Ski Resort.
Source: Gould Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#41 The Webb Schools
Location: Claremont, Calif.
Total cost: $51,515
Enrollment: 410
The school has a museum of paleontology on campus that displays the largest collection of animal footprints in North America.
Source: The Webb Schools
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#40 Deerfield Academy
Location: Deerfield, Mass.
Total cost: $51,550
Enrollment: 646
Deerfield's boathouse, which sits on the Connecticut River, is over 5,000 square feet with 20 rowing shells and two team rooms equipped with ergs, free weights, and exercise and video equipment to support the champion crew teams.
Source: Deerfield Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#39 Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Location: Wilbraham, Mass.
Total cost: $51,610
Enrollment: 197
The school has a model trading floor where students can learn about the financial markets.
Source: Wilbraham & Monson Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#38 Tabor Academy
Location: Marion, Mass.
Total cost: $51,775
Enrollment: 351
Known as "the school by the sea," Tabor stretches along a beautiful half mile of Sippican Harbor on Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts.
Source: Tabor Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#37 The Williston Northampton School
Location: Easthampton, Mass.
Total cost: $51,800
Enrollment: 268
The school's Campus Center is the former gymnasium and now hosts a snack bar, a photo lab, and a computer room.
Source: The Williston Northampton School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#36 Emma Willard School
Location: Troy, N.Y.
Total cost: $51,810
Enrollment: 328
Emma Willard is celebrating its two-hundredth anniversary this year, and has invited Hillary Clinton to speak at the Bicentennial Celebration in May.
Source: Emma Willard School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#35 Hebron Academy
Location: Hebron, Maine
Total cost: $51,900
Enrollment: 247
Dorm mates become very close throughout the year by hosting activities like make-your-own pizza night, fine dining night, birthday celebrations, and video game competitions.
Source: Hebron Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#32 Westminster School (tie)
Location: Simsbury, Conn.
Total cost: $52,000
Enrollment: 265
The student run Student Activities Committee plans activities for weekend residents, including dances, trivia night, and hiking outings.
Source: Westminster School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#32 St. George's School (tie)
Location: Newport, R.I.
Total cost: $52,000
Enrollment: 365
Students have the opportunity to learn aboard the school's 69-foot-long marine research and sailing school vessel, the Geronimo.
Source: St. George's School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#32 Holderness School (tie)
Location: Plymouth, N.H.
Total cost: $52,000
Enrollment: 280
Aspiring artists work with and learn from professional artists-in-residence in the forms of, fused glass, photography, drawing, painting, ceramics, blacksmithing, and more.
Source: Holderness School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#31 Brooks School
Location: North Andover, Mass.
Total cost: $52,110
Enrollment: 375
Through the school's exchange program, students can live abroad with families in Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Hungary, Scotland, Spain, France, and Peru.
Source: Brooks School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#30 The Berkshire School
Location: Sheffield, Mass.
Total cost: $52,150
Enrollment: 352
Berkshire recently brought back its Education with Wings program, which offers an aeronautical science course and flying lessons at a nearby airport.
Source: The Berkshire School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#29 Blair Academy
Location: Blairstown, N.J.
Total cost: $52,220
Enrollment: 454
Students have the option of traveling as a part of their curriculum. In past years, students have visited Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Source: Blair Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#26 The Ethel Walker School (tie)
Location: Simsbury, Conn.
Total cost: $52,300
Enrollment: 137
Dogswood Day is the school's spirit day, where students are split into two teams—the Suns and the Dials—and compete against each other.
Source: The Ethel Walker School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#26 Proctor Academy (tie)
Location: Andover, N.H.
Total cost: $52,300
Enrollment: 280
The "Tao of Proctor" seeks to provide students with a balanced experience of environmental responsibility, educational programs, experiential education, and community and residential life.
Source: Proctor Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#26 Middlesex School (tie)
Location: Concord, Mass.
Total cost: $52,300
Enrollment: 375
Notable alumni include Steve Carrell, Kevin Systrom, and William Hurt.
Source: Middlesex School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#25 New Hampton School
Location: New Hampton, N.H.
Total cost: $52,400
Enrollment: 305
The New Hampton School offers 49 different International Baccalaureate courses to choose from.
Source: New Hampton School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#24 The Masters School
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Total cost: $52,430
Enrollment: 475 (9-12)
Masters offers a semester-long CITYterm for students to explore nearby New York City.
Source: The Masters School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#23 Miss Porter's School
Location: Farmington, Conn.
Total cost: $52,515
Enrollment: 306
Miss Porter's was founded in 1843 by Sarah Porter, a scholar and a master of languages; she even taught herself Hebrew when she was in her 80s.
Source: Miss Porter's School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#21 San Domenico School (tie)
Location: San Anselmo, Calif.
Total cost: $52,525
Enrollment: 94
Faculty members lead kayaking trips in Baja, trips to Disneyland, and annual summer trips for groups of students to go to Bosnia.
Source: San Domenico School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#21 Purnell School (tie)
Location: Pottersville, N.J.
Total cost: $52,525
Enrollment: 103
Every meal served at the all-girls Purnell School has vegetarian and vegan options.
Source: Purnell School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#20 Cushing Academy
Location: Ashburnham, Mass.
Total cost: $52,600
Enrollment: 445
Students are always served good, nutritional food; even after classes, the school's snack bar, the Igloo, is open with small grab-and-go meals and made-to-order smoothies.
Source: Cushing Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#19 Cambridge School of Weston
Location: Weston, Mass.
Total cost: $52,650
Enrollment: 335
Students take advantage of the 12-mile proximity to Boston through learning and social events.
Source: Cambridge School of Weston
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#18 The Madeira School
Location: McLean, Va.
Total cost: $52,710
Enrollment: 159
Every Wednesday students participate in Madeira's Co-Curriculum Program, which offers a unique leadership opportunity for each grade.
Source: The Madeira School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#17 Georgetown Preparatory School
Location: Bethesda, Md.
Total cost: $52,735
Enrollment: 490
While most days the boys at Georgetown Prep are required to wear navy blazers and ties, on free dress days they can wear whatever they like.
Source: Georgetown Preparatory School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#16 Salisbury School
Location: Salisbury, Conn.
Total cost: $52,900
Enrollment: 292
Salisbury's student center offers a well-stocked snack bar, ping-pong and pool tables, and big screen TVs.
Source: Salisbury School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#15 Pomfret School
Location: Pomfret, Conn.
Total cost: $53,025
Enrollment: 275
Most freshmen live in "freshmen circle," an area of dorms meant to provide a smaller community for first-year students.
Source: Pomfret School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#14 Concord Academy
Location: Concord, Mass.
Total cost: $53,200
Enrollment: 363
Last year Concord debuted its new 13.5-acre, multimillion dollar athletic campus with soccer, lacrosse, and hockey fields, and a baseball diamond.
Source: Concord Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#13 Avon Old Farms School
Location: Avon, Conn.
Total cost: $53,350
Enrollment: 408
Avon Old Farms only serves the best food to its students: produce is local and organic whenever possible, 100 percent fruit juices are always available, and vegan and vegetarian options are served at every meal.
Source: Avon Old Farms School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#12 Kent School
Location: Kent, Conn.
Total cost: $53,360
Enrollment: 565
Students take advantage of the campus' indoor tennis courts, a boathouse, rowing center, and stables.
Source: Kent School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#11 Loomis Chaffee
Location: Windsor, Conn.
Total cost: $53,415
Enrollment: 650
All Loomis Chaffee students plan to attend four-year colleges and universities.
Source: Loomis Chaffee
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#10 Groton School
Location: Groton, Mass.
Total cost: $53,870
Enrollment: 372
Groton is a community committed to giving back; while community service is not required, it is expected, and the majority of students spend time as community leaders.
Source: Groton School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#9 Northfield Mount Hermon School
Location: Mt. Hermon, Mass.
Total cost: $54,120
Enrollment: 540
The school has a farm program where they make soaps, apple cider, jelly, cheese and ice cream.
Source: Northfield Mount Hermon School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#8 Sandy Spring Friends School
Location: Sandy Spring, Md.
Total cost: $54,480
Enrollment: 551
The campus Community Farm supplies the school with fresh organic seasonal produce and provides students with an education in sustainable food production.
Source: Sandy Spring Friends School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#7 The Lawrenceville School
Location: Lawrenceville, N.J.
Total cost: $54,540
Enrollment: 555
The campus features 700 acres, Harry Potter-style inter-house competitions, as well as an indoor ice hockey rink and nine-hole golf course.
Source: The Lawrenceville School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#6 Stevenson School
Location: Pebble Beach, Calif.
Total cost: $54,600
Enrollment: 290
KSPB, on 91.9 FM, is the school's student-run radio station that records live on-air and has as many as 1.5 million listeners.
Source: Stevenson School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#5 Lawrence Academy
Location: Groton, Mass.
Total cost: $54,750
Enrollment: 399
Lawrence Academy has a strict anti-bullying policy to ensure that all students feel welcome and accepted.
Source: Lawrence Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#4 Dana Hall School
Location: Wellesley, Mass.
Total cost: $54,980
Enrollment: 356 (9-12)
Each dorm has a house director, house assistant, and student proctor to make sure the girls' needs are heard regarding all aspects of residential life.
Source: Dana Hall School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#3 Idyllwild Arts Academy
Location: Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Calif.
Total cost: $55,200
Enrollment: 295
On weekends the students have dances, open-mike nights, movie screenings, pool parties, games, and competitions.
Source: Idyllwild Arts Academy
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#2 St. Albans School
Location: Washington, DC
Total cost: $55,720
Enrollment: 575
St. Albans offers its own school of public service for a month each summer.
Source: St. Albans School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
#1 Woodside Priory School
Location: Portola Valley, Calif.
Total cost: $56,550
Enrollment: 371
The school has a period, called "H Block" devoted solely to independent interest clubs and activities, such as Model United Nations and Club Anime.
Source: Woodside Priory School
Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.
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