Boarding School Review Blog

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

For decades, educators and researchers have explored whether graduates of all-girls schools gain a measurable advantage in college, careers, and leadership. While the core arguments in favor of single-sex education remain consistent, recent studies and evolving educational priorities provide new context for families considering this option.

In 2026, the question is less about whether girls’ schools offer benefits and more about how those benefits translate into long-term outcomes in a rapidly changing academic and professional landscape.

Why Families Consider All-Girls Boarding Schools

All-girls boarding schools are designed to create an environment where students can focus on academic and personal growth without many of the social pressures found in coeducational settings.

These schools often emphasize:

• Leadership development
• Academic confidence
• Participation across all disciplines, including STEM
• Strong mentorship and community

For families weighing options, it can be helpful to understand the broader value of boarding education. This overview provides helpful context: https://www.boardingschoolreview.com/blog/why-boarding-school.

Updated Research on Outcomes (2024–2026)

Recent research continues to support many of the long-standing claims about the benefits of girls’ schools, while also adding nuance.

A 2024 report from the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools highlights that graduates of girls’ schools are more likely to:

• Pursue leadership roles in college and early careers
• Participate in STEM majors at higher rates than peers from coeducational schools
• Report higher levels of academic confidence

Additionally, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that female students in single-sex environments often

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Do you have a child who just doesn't fit nicely into a conventional classroom? Are you one of those parents who doesn't see the point of standardized testing? Do you want to let your child explore and discover things for himself in a less structured learning environment? Do you believe that children learn by doing? If you have answered affirmatively to any or all of these questions, then you probably should be looking at progressive schools.

Parents consistently select progressive schools such as Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia for the preschool and primary years. However, when it comes to middle and high school, they tend to feel that they have to follow a more traditional college preparatory model based on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate curricula. Why? Most parents seem to think that a test-oriented educational approach ensures their children a better chance of getting into a good college.

Standardized tests are a very common feature of American professional and academic life. It's been that way for the past forty or fifty years. But should children in K-12 schools be subject to standardized testing? You get the feeling that teachers have to teach to the test, as opposed to being able to teach their subjects. Now, most boarding schools have developed enriched curricula which far exceed the requirements put forth by most of the common high school standardized tests, e.g., SAT and ACT. In

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

"I can't find any rankings!" "Which is the best boarding school in Massachusetts?" Hardly a day goes by without somebody asking about the rankings of boarding schools. I know that you are trying to figure out how one boarding school compares with another so that you can choose the one that is best for your child. You probably have even tried looking for a site that ranks schools. Well, good luck! You will find several websites offering lists and rankings, but there is no single official ranking system for boarding schools.

Try it yourself. Google "boarding school rankings" or "ranking boarding schools" and review the results. Yes, you will find several lists of "the best schools." However, what are the criteria used to select those schools? Maybe some of them are a good fit for your requirements. Maybe not. So, let's look at the reasons why this is the case.

1. Boarding schools are unique

This is the main reason why it is difficult to rank boarding schools. Each school is unique. Each school does its own thing. Schools are overseen and managed by trustees and faculty who have a particular point of view. For example, a Jesuit boarding school such as Georgetown Prep has a somewhat different approach to curriculum and teaching than The Putney School. Yes, as you look at schools, you can compare basic criteria such as the number of students,

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Does it matter when you go off to boarding school? What is the most common point of entry? Are there any advantages to entering 9th grade versus entering 10th grade? What about attending boarding school just for 11th grade or 12th grade? Does that make sense? Is it even possible? The answers to these questions depend on you and your circumstances.

10th Grade Entry and Academics

The most common entry point for American college prep boarding schools has traditionally been 10th grade. That makes sense for many students because college preparatory studies usually cover a three-year cycle. Many schools offer the Advanced Placement, or AP program. AP courses allow high school students to pursue college-level studies. The AP courses vary from school to school, so be sure to scrutinize the academic curricula carefully as you search for the right boarding school for your child. While many boarding schools offer a wide range of AP subjects, some frequently offer highly specialized courses that are difficult to find in many other schools.

10th grade is also a sensible entry point at boarding schools that offer the IB or International Baccalaureate programme. The IB programme has many programme-specific features. The IB Diploma Programme itself is designed for students aged 16 to 19 and is typically implemented during the final two years of secondary education, so families should check the individual school's curriculum and preparation requirements.

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

You have a couple of ways to apply to boarding school. Choose the method which is easiest for you.

Apply to the Individual Schools

You can always ask the schools to send you an applications package. Many schools have a 'request information' link on their websites. This will explain the applications procedure for that specific school. You will receive the application materials electronically in most cases, although some schools may provide paper materials upon request. Complete the required forms according to the school's instructions and submit the completed application to the school.

Most schools will also have online applications. Online application forms have the advantage of saving time for the school because the data gets loaded right into their admissions database. The procedure varies from school to school but basically will have some sort of secure log-in where you will find the instructions on how to apply. You complete some forms online. Others, like the teacher recommendation forms, may be submitted electronically through the application system.

For example, Phillips Exeter Academy provides its application requirements and instructions online, including information about recommendations, transcripts, testing, and other components of the admissions process.

Use a Common Application

The SSAT offers an online application service they call The Standard Application Online (SAO). Or use the Gateway To Prep Schools Application. This greatly simplifies the applications process for schools that use it. You only