School Life

Boarding School Myths Debunked (2025 Edition)

Choosing a boarding school is a major decision for families. Yet despite the growing number of students and evolving school models, many outdated beliefs persist. In this 2025 edition of “Boarding School Myths Debunked,” we revisit common misconceptions about boarding schools—cost, diversity, academic rigor, student independence—and update the record with the latest data, policies and real-world examples. Whether you are a parent, student, or educator, this article will help you separate fact from fiction in today’s boarding school landscape.

Myth 1: Boarding schools are unaffordable for all but the wealthiest families

Reality: While sticker prices remain high, financial aid and income-based models are making boarding schools more accessible in 2025.

Sticker tuition for full boarding often falls in the $60,000 to $80,000 per year range. For example, typical five-day boarding averages around $55,425, and seven-day full boarding averages about $69,150 nationally. Boarding School Review+1
At high-end schools:

• The Lawrenceville School reports boarding tuition of $79,500 for 2024-25; about 34 % of students receive financial aid, with average boarding grants over $60,000. Wikipedia

• Blair Academy lists 2025-26 tuition of $78,980, 36 % of students on aid, average boarding grant ~$54,896. Wikipedia

Moreover, many schools now use sliding-scale income caps and full-need policies. A notable example: Deerfield Academy offers free tuition to U.S. families earning under ~$150,000 and caps tuition at

When traditional school options and outpatient supports no longer feel enough, a therapeutic school can emerge as a viable—and sometimes essential—choice. This 2025 update examines what a therapeutic boarding school is, how the therapeutic school model has evolved, key data on tuition, demographics and outcomes, and questions families should be asking. As you explore whether a therapeutic school is the right move, you’ll find inside insights from industry experts, real-world examples, and links to trusted resources.

What Is a Therapeutic School?
A therapeutic school—often referred to as a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment school—combines academic instruction with intensive emotional, behavioural and mental-health support. Licensed therapists, educators and residential staff work together to create a structured environment. Students receive individualized counseling, group therapy, life-skills programming and experiential activities (such as equine therapy or wilderness curricula) while also progressing academically. Wikipedia+2BoardingSchools.US+2

Unlike traditional day schools or typical boarding schools, therapeutic schools embed therapeutic supervision within the daily residential and academic schedule. The goal is broader than academics alone—it includes personal growth, emotional healing and social reintegration alongside educational progress.

What Makes the Model Relevant in 2025?
In recent years the therapeutic school sector has experienced shifts reflecting broader trends in adolescent mental health, post-pandemic stress, and evolving regulatory expectations. A 2024 “state of the union” review of therapeutic programming predicted higher levels of mental-health needs among adolescents, increased attrition at traditional schools, and a corresponding growth in demand for more intensive or “longer runway” environments.

Boarding School Life: A Day in the Life of a Student Introduction

For many families considering residential education, understanding what a typical day looks like at a boarding school is a key decision factor. In 2025, boarding school life continues to offer a structured environment where academics, co-curriculars, social development, and residential routines blend in daily rhythm. This article walks through a representative “day in the life” of a boarding student, highlights current trends, offers expert commentary, and provides practical insights for parents, students and educators.

Morning: Wake-up and Academics

A boarding school student typically begins the day early. At many schools the routine starts around 7:00 a.m., when boarders rise, prepare for the day, and head to breakfast. For instance, one source notes breakfast in a communal dining hall followed by classes beginning around 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. in boarding-school settings. BoardingSchools.com+2mastersny.org+2

Typical morning schedule

During morning classes, boarding students are immersed in a college-preparatory curriculum—courses such as Algebra II, English literature, global studies or world languages. One school profile describes a morning class then a study hall right away, allowing students to ask questions and stay ahead. Salem Academy

Midday: Lunch, Free Block, Activities

By midday, the schedule transitions to lunch and a mix of academic support or co-curriculars. Lunch has both a

Introduction

For parents evaluating secondary school options, selecting a boarding school offering an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) can be a significant decision. The IB program is recognised worldwide for its rigorous curriculum and emphasis on inquiry, global awareness, and university preparation. In 2025, interest in boarding schools offering IB programs continues to grow, making it essential for families to understand what this route involves.

This article explores the advantages of boarding schools with IB programs, how to evaluate them, key questions to ask, and illustrative examples of schools. It is designed for parents, students, and educators seeking reliable, up-to-date guidance.

What Is the IB Program and Why Select It at a Boarding School?

Understanding the IB Program

The IB Organization authorises schools to deliver its programmes, including the Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16–19. Schools must meet strict global standards for curriculum quality and student support. International Baccalaureate®+1

According to the IB website, an IB World School is one that has been authorised to deliver one or more of the IB programmes. ibyb.org+1

Why Choose a Boarding School Offering the IB Program?

Boarding schools offering IB programs combine the residential environment—often with a diverse, international student body—with the academic depth of the IB Diploma. Key benefits include:

• A structured residential setting that supports students’ learning, social development, and independence.

Introduction

Deciding to send your child to a boarding school is one of the most significant educational choices a family can make. With the evolving landscape of independent and residential schools in 2025, parents are increasingly asking the right questions about whether this pathway is truly right for their child. This article revisits the core concerns parents raise—financial, emotional, academic, and developmental—and provides updated data, context and suggestions for navigating the decision with confidence.

1. Cost and Affordability

One of the foremost concerns for many families remains the cost of boarding school. In 2025, families considering full-time residential schooling should be cognisant of the following:

• According to the recent update on Boarding School Review, the average tuition (including room and board) for seven-day boarding programmes ranges between $60,000 and $80,000 per year.

• For five-day boarding (students return home on weekends), the national average is closer to $55,000 annually.

• Individual schools may set full boarding fees in the range of $70,000 or more—for example, one school listed tuition at $75,500 for boarding in 2025. Boarding School Review+1

• On the aid front, nearly 40% of boarding students receive need-based or merit aid at many institutions, with some schools covering full tuition for families under specific income thresholds.

Tips for parents:

• Ask the school