This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.
With over 250 schools in the United States, American boarding schools appeal to international families for a variety of reasons. According to The Association Of Boarding Schools (TABS), international students make up an important part of the population of their member schools. In 2025, the latest national average reported by Boarding School Review was 26.6% international students. We look at some of the reasons why an American boarding school is a popular option with international students around the world.
A world-class education
Almost all American boarding schools offer rigorous academics combined with compulsory athletics and a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Even more important to a parent who will probably remain at home while her child goes off to school in the United States is that boarding schools take the safety and well-being of your child very seriously. While your child is at school, 24/7 supervision is what you can expect to find at a boarding school in the United States. During vacations, the school will help you find a host for your child instead of flying him back home if that is not possible.
The academic programs at boarding schools exceed any federal, state, and local requirements. College preparatory schools usually offer Advanced Placement courses or the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Standards are high. The other advantage of an American boarding school is the small class size. Typically, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:15 or even less.
Families comparing options can use Boarding School Review's Find Boarding Schools directory to research schools by location and program.
What is an international student?
An international student is a student who holds a foreign or non-U.S. passport. He or she is a citizen of a country other than the United States of America. Because of that status, students from foreign countries wishing to study in the United States need to be familiar with and follow a host of rules and regulations. These rules and regulations apply whether you plan to attend an American high school or college. Applying for a student visa takes time and has many steps. Allow 9-15 months to complete the process.
In 2026, students planning to attend a private U.S. boarding school in F-1 status must attend a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). After acceptance, the SEVP-certified school issues Form I-20, which the student needs as part of the visa process.
Families who want more information about the application process can consult Boarding School Review's International Student's Guide to Boarding Schools.
Why Do International Students Want To Attend American Boarding Schools?
Boarding school helps international students with several components of their secondary education, including:
- Improving their English proficiency
- Helping them learn about and gain acceptance to universities in the U.S. and elsewhere
- Adjusting to a new culture by providing a smaller, structured environment designed to support non-native English speakers
- Instilling a global perspective
English Immersion & ESL (English as a Second Language) Courses
It can be challenging to learn English if it is not spoken regularly. In boarding schools, international students attend classes, play sports, and live with English-speaking students. This creates a helpful environment for learning English. This gives them the chance to make friends and communicate in English regularly.
ESL (English as a Second Language) classes offered in boarding schools also help international students learn English more quickly. These classes are generally tiny. ESL courses are designed to improve an international student's speaking, reading, and writing ability. Boarding schools provide international students with an excellent opportunity to enhance their English skills.
For the 2026 school year, Boarding School Review lists 177 college-preparatory and junior boarding schools offering ESL, serving more than 66,000 students.
College Preparation
Boarding schools offer international students access to well-trained college counselors. These advisors can help you choose schools and prepare you for the application process. Many boarding schools also offer special classes to help you prepare for the TOEFL or TOEIC exams, often required for international students. Boarding school helps international students get into and succeed in American universities.
In 2026, English-language testing requirements vary by school, so international applicants should confirm current requirements directly with each boarding school's admissions office. Boarding School Review's current International Students at U.S. Boarding Schools: 2026 Guide to Admissions, Visas, and Preparation provides additional information about current admissions requirements and preparation.
International Friendships
Boarding schools offer a unique opportunity for international students to meet and make friends with students from other cultures. You will be exposed to people of different religious, geographic, and linguistic backgrounds. You will make friends with people that you would usually not have a chance to meet. Being part of a boarding school community can help you overcome cultural barriers associated with living outside your country.
In 2026, international students continue to play an important role in boarding school communities, bringing different cultural and educational perspectives to residential campuses.
If you have more specific questions about attending boarding school as an international student (e.g., visa questions), please research and contact boarding schools that interest you. They will have the most up-to-date information you need and look forward to assisting you.
