What kinds of careers do boarding school graduates pursue?

Graduates of boarding schools become distinguished leaders in fields such as acting, politics, business, writing, and music.

Do many boarding school alumni give back to their schools?

Almost all of the alumnae and alumni selected have returned time, talent, and treasure to their schools by serving on boards of trustees and raising money.

Can families of different financial backgrounds afford boarding schools?

Many boarding school graduates were not well off when starting out, but their families valued the sound, balanced approach to education the schools provided.

Which famous actors attended boarding schools?

Actors such as Bette Davis (Cushing Academy), Denzel Washington (Oakland Military School), and Sigourney Weaver (Ethel Walker School) are boarding school alumni.

Are there political leaders who graduated from boarding schools?

Yes, political leaders like George W. Bush (Phillips Academy), David Cameron (Eton College), and John McCain (Episcopal High School) attended boarding schools.

Famous Boarding School Graduates

Graduates of boarding schools end up doing all sorts of things. Many of them become distinguished leaders in their chosen fields. Almost all of the alumnae and alumni selected below have also chosen to return time, talent, and treasure to the schools that gave them such a solid start to their careers. They serve on boards of trustees, raise money for their schools, and act as stalwart supporters of these institutions.

That's the point of this little piece: the dream of being something when you are young. Attend a school that will help you realize those dreams by giving you the skills, confidence, and belief that you can accomplish whatever you set out to do. That is the essence of a boarding school education.

Now, I hear you thinking everyone on this list is or was fabulously wealthy. Indeed, some are. But many were not quite well off when just starting out. All of these graduates share one thing in common. They had families that valued the sound, balanced approach to education that the schools they attended afforded them.

Audrey McNiff, Goldman Sachs (retired), Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA

Arthur Bunn, Bunn-O-Matic Corp., The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ

Betsy Licht Turner, Northern Trust Investments, The Madeira School, McLean, VA

Bette Davis, Actress, Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, MA

Betty White, Actress, Horace Mann School, New York, NY

Chelsea Clinton, The Clinton Foundation, Sidwell Friends School, Washington, DC

Dan Brown, Writer, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH

Daniel Pinkham, Composer, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

David Cameron, Politician, Eton College, Windsor, England

Denzel Washington, Actor, Oakland Military School, New Windsor, NY

Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, New York Military Academy, Cornwall on Hudson, NY

Elizabeth May, Green Party of Canada, Miss Porter's School, Farmington, CT