Hidden Costs of Boarding School: How to Plan Ahead

International Students in U.S. Boarding Schools: What Parents Should Know

Sending your child abroad to attend a U.S. boarding school is a major decision—especially for international families. In 2025, with evolving visa regulations, rising tuition, and shifting global competition, understanding the ins and outs of U.S. boarding for international students is more critical than ever. This article guides parents, students, and educators through key considerations, best practices, benefits, and risks of enrolling as an international boarding student in the U.S.

Why Consider a U.S. Boarding School as an International Student

Academic & Preparatory Advantages

U.S. boarding schools often offer:

• Rigorous, college-preparatory curricula (AP, honors, or even IB)

• Close faculty access, small class sizes, and structured academic supervision

• College counseling and alumni networks oriented toward U.S. higher education

• Immersion in English and American culture, which helps transition to U.S. colleges

These elements can give international students a stronger footing when applying to U.S. universities.

Cultural Exposure & Network Building

Living on campus allows students to:

• Forge friendships with peers from across the U.S. and the world

• Develop cross-cultural skills, global mindsets, and independence

• Access extracurriculars, leadership opportunities, and advanced facilities

Many boarding schools in the U.S. actively recruit and support international

Do Boarding School Graduates Have Better College Outcomes?

Parents, educators, and students often wonder: does attending a boarding school improve a student’s prospects in college? The short answer is: often—but with important caveats. In this article, we dig into the evidence, clarifying when and how a boarding school experience may contribute to stronger college outcomes, and when it may not.

What Do We Mean by “Better College Outcomes”?

By “better college outcomes,” we refer primarily to:

• College enrollment rate (immediately after high school)

• Persistence (continuing to year two and beyond)

• Graduation rates (within four, five, or six years)

• Institutional selectivity and degree quality

• Longer-term outcomes (graduate degrees, earnings, leadership roles)

In assessing boarding school impact, we must account for selection effects—students who enroll in boarding schools often already differ in family background, resources, academic readiness, or ambition from peers in day schools or public schools.

What the Research Shows

Historical and Programmatic Studies

One of the more cited studies, commissioned by the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), surveyed over 2,700 students and alumni (boarding, private-day, public) and found that boarding school graduates were more likely to:

• Report strong academic and nonacademic preparation for college

• Enroll and excel in higher education

In The Pandemic: Parents' Concerns About Boarding School (Updated 2025)

Sending children to boarding school has always involved a mixture of excitement and worry. Parents naturally wonder about safety, homesickness, and tuition. But since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped education beginning in 2020, boarding schools have had to adapt in ways that continue to influence policy and parental concerns in 2025.

Today, parents’ questions extend beyond virus protocols to include long-term health preparedness, affordability, student well-being, and the value of in-person education in a digital-first world. Let’s address some of the most common concerns families still raise when considering boarding school in 2025.

Will my child be safe at boarding school?

In 2025, safety at boarding schools means more than protection from illness. While the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, schools have kept many of the practices introduced in 2020. Routine health monitoring, improved ventilation, and upgraded campus medical centers are now standard. According to the U.S. Department of Education, over 80% of private schools implemented permanent improvements to air filtration and sanitation systems by 2023, and those investments remain in place (source).

Most boarding schools now employ full-time health directors, some with backgrounds in public health. Regular mental health screenings have become just as common as physical checkups. Parents can expect robust counseling services, expanded wellness programs, and partnerships with local hospitals for rapid response care.

Will my child need health screenings?

While mandatory COVID-19 testing is no longer required, most

10 Top Reasons to Go to Boarding School (Updated 2025)

Why choose a boarding school for your child in 2025? While private day schools provide excellent education, boarding schools offer something unique: an immersive environment that shapes students academically, socially, and personally. With updated tuition data, program innovations, and insights from recent studies, here are the 10 top reasons to go to boarding school today.

10. Exceptional Teachers Who Inspire

Boarding schools continue to attract highly qualified faculty. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 70% of private secondary school teachers now hold advanced degrees. Small classes and motivated students mean teachers can focus on instruction—not classroom management.

“Boarding school students thrive because teachers are mentors as well as educators,” says Dr. Emily Warren, Head of Academics at Phillips Exeter. “The passion for subject mastery is contagious.”

9. World-Class Athletics and Facilities

From Olympic-sized pools to equestrian centers, boarding schools provide athletic opportunities that rival professional clubs. Many schools now integrate wellness programs, nutrition counseling, and mental health support into athletics.

Varsity teams often compete internationally, with rowing crews traveling to regattas such as Henley Royal Regatta in the UK. For students, sports are not just extracurricular—they’re pathways to discipline, resilience, and teamwork.

8. Thriving Arts and Creative Programs

Whether it’s digital media labs, music conservatories, or black box theaters, boarding schools in 2025 have expanded their arts offerings. Many programs now