Famous Boarding School Graduates (Updated October 2025)
Graduates of boarding schools have long gone on to shape culture, politics, science, and business on a global scale. Many continue to give back to the schools that nurtured their early ambitions—whether through service on boards of trustees, philanthropic support, or mentorship of current students.
The point of this article is simple: the dream of becoming something extraordinary often begins with the right foundation. Boarding schools equip students with independence, discipline, and confidence—qualities that help them realize their ambitions, whether on the stage, in the boardroom, or in public service.
While some boarding school graduates come from families of privilege, many started with modest means. What unites them is not wealth, but families who believe in the transformative power of a rigorous, well-rounded education.
Notable Boarding School Alumni Across Fields
Below is a cross-section of well-known figures who once walked boarding school hallways before becoming household names:
Dan Brown – Bestselling author, Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)
Chelsea Clinton – The Clinton Foundation, Sidwell Friends School (Washington, D.C.)
George W. Bush – 43rd U.S. President, Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, MA)
Glenn Close – Academy Award-winning actress, Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, CT)
Mark Zuckerberg – Founder of Meta, Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH)
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – Former First Lady, Miss Porter’s School (Farmington, CT)
Michael Douglas – Academy Award-winning actor, Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, CT)
Owen Wilson – Actor and screenwriter, St. Mark’s School of Texas (Dallas, TX)
Tucker Carlson – Media commentator, St. George’s School (Newport, RI)
Uma Thurman – Actress, Northfield Mount Hermon (Gill, MA)
New additions to the 2025 list include:
Sam Altman – CEO of OpenAI, St. Louis Priory School (St. Louis, MO)
Meghan Markle – Duchess of Sussex, Immaculate Heart High School (Los Angeles, CA; later spent time in private international study programs)
Sundar Pichai’s children – Though not yet household names, recent reports highlight the tech leader’s choice of U.S. boarding schools, reinforcing their reputation among global elites.
The Value of a Boarding School Education
In 2025, the average U.S. boarding school tuition ranges between $65,000–$72,000 per year, according to Private School Review. While this represents a steep investment, schools also report record levels of financial aid, with nearly 38% of boarding students receiving need-based assistance.
Today’s boarding schools also reflect a broader demographic. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 20% of boarding school students come from outside the United States, making classrooms more globally diverse than ever.
“Parents no longer view boarding schools as enclaves of exclusivity,” explains Dr. Karen Alvarez, an education researcher at Harvard. “They see them as incubators of leadership, resilience, and multicultural fluency—skills today’s world demands.”
Academic and Extracurricular Programs
Modern boarding schools go far beyond classical academics. Many now integrate:
STEM Innovation Hubs – Robotics labs, AI research groups, and partnerships with universities.
Entrepreneurship Programs – Students pitch start-up ideas to alumni venture capitalists.
Sustainability Initiatives – Net-zero campuses, solar farms, and climate science electives.
Arts Expansion – Film, digital animation, and music technology programs alongside traditional performing arts.
For example, Phillips Exeter recently launched a Global Leadership Institute, preparing students for careers in diplomacy and international business. Similarly, Choate Rosemary Hall has expanded its Advanced Environmental Science program, reflecting a growing student demand for climate-focused learning.
Why Famous Graduates Matter
Parents often ask whether boarding schools still matter in an era of online learning and alternative education models. The answer lies in outcomes. While not every graduate will become president or an Oscar winner, the track record of notable alumni provides assurance of the rigor and networks these schools cultivate.
As Forbes has noted, elite education increasingly serves as both a springboard and a support system. Alumni networks often provide mentorship, internships, and career opportunities that extend far beyond graduation.
Moreover, famous graduates serve as living proof that the investment in a boarding education can yield lifelong dividends.
Final Thoughts
The roster of famous boarding school graduates is not just a list of celebrities and CEOs—it is evidence of how formative these institutions can be. Whether in politics, the arts, business, or social leadership, boarding schools continue to produce individuals who shape our culture and our world.
For families considering this path, it’s worth remembering that the story of every graduate once began with a simple decision: to attend a school that believed in their potential.
