Narrowing Your List

Now and then, the question that occurs to me, as it should to you, is precisely why I think a particular school is one of the best. I have to conclude that the best schools have all of the following characteristics. What's more, they have them in abundance. Now, before you start thinking that I am only talking about older established schools, that ain't necessarily so. I am aware of a couple of newer schools that fit neatly into the category of best schools simply because they have all of the characteristics explained below. So let's look at what I think are the traits of the best schools.

Great leadership

The best schools have strong, dynamic, dedicated leaders. They are led by women and men who envision their goals. They also have the experience to execute their plans to achieve that vision. The head of the best school is a superb fund-raiser. She is a capable administrator. She leads by example. She expects the best from everybody in her school community.

This video from Loomis Chafee illustrates the school's global perspective.

The solid support of the trustees

I know of several schools which could have been great. But they never made it because their fractious board of trustees kept getting in the way of progress. Change is never easy. But it seems that boards often have a rather difficult time with change. That

How Do Girls Benefit From Single-Sex Education?

As I read research and data in preparation for writing this article, I was struck by how much real progress has been made in girls' education versus boys' education over the last decade. I hope that you will read the resources listed at the end. They are just the tip of the iceberg, but they will get you started on your exploration and evaluation of girls' schools. Since the subject of single-sex education seems to be gaining traction in the public school arena, I suspect that we shall continue to see some serious academic papers being written on the subject in the coming years.

Personally, having raised two daughters, I can speak with some experience on the subject of single-sex education. Both girls went to coeducational boarding schools. However, the benefit of hindsight tells me that going to an all-girls school would have been a better solution for both of them. Here then, are the reasons why I am such a massive fan of girls' schools.

This short clip offers a glimpse inside an AP Biology class.

Girls' schools provide relevant 21st-century role models.

It is a fact that there are more visible, relevant role models for girls these days. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, and Harvard President Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust, to name just three highly successful prominent executives, provide our daughters

If you are thinking about sending your child off to boarding school, you should try to start your school search process as early as possible. Finding the right school takes time. The process itself is not difficult; however, it is time-consuming. For example, if you are considering getting your child into school for 10th grade, you should begin the process in the spring of 8th grade. Standardized admissions testing typically will occur in December of 9th grade. Most boarding schools have application deadlines at the end of January of his 9th grade. Schools send out acceptance letters in March of your child's 9th-grade year.

Many parents think that they will have plenty of time to get everything done, but the truth is that the 18-month time frame that I am recommending flies by very quickly. Before you know it, the application deadline is around the corner. With that in mind, let's review why I feel that you need 18 months for your school search.

1. You need time to visit the schools.

Visiting schools is time-consuming. It is not enough to visit the schools virtually, although if you live abroad, that might be the only viable way of visiting schools. You must experience the school. You need to use your eyes and ears to help decide whether your child will be happy there for the next three years. Possibly four if he stays for a PG year. You wouldn't buy a piece of real

The "gap year" is more popular than ever, with thousands of students taking an interim year between high school and college to pursue a passion, do meaningful volunteer work, or explore a new culture. However, some students feel that an academic gap year is the best way to spend the year. They know that an academic year will help them improve their grades and standardized test performance, experience structured independence, and develop stronger study and writing skills.

For many of these students, a "post-graduate year" at a boarding school is a wonderful option. According to current 2026 data from Boarding School Review’s PG school listings, more than 1,400 students are currently enrolled as “PG” students at boarding schools in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The PGs have graduated from their local high school and come to boarding school to join the senior class and become part of the tight-knit PG community on campus. These popular members of the school community are able to participate in varsity athletics and extracurricular activities and have access to the school's college admissions counselors.

In recent years, the PG year has also become more attractive because of increasing college admissions competition and concerns about college readiness. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, first-year college retention and academic preparedness remain major concerns for universities nationwide, leading many families to seek transitional academic programs that provide additional structure before college enrollment.

PG Programs Are Varied in Terms

. . .read more

5 Reasons to Choose a Junior Boarding School

Boarding schools come in two flavors: boarding schools and junior boarding schools.

Selecting the right educational path for your child is a decision that shapes their future. Junior boarding schools provide students with a strong academic foundation, a structured residential experience, and a supportive community—all designed to prepare them for higher-level education and lifelong success. Whether you're considering boarding school for its academic rigor, personal development opportunities, or specialized programs, this article dives into five key reasons why a junior boarding school might be the perfect fit.

• Boarding schools usually offer 9th grade through 12th grade.
• Junior boarding schools are residential schools that offer 9th grade and lower.
• Most junior boarding schools cover 6th grade through 9th grade.
• A few schools take boarders beginning as early as the 3rd grade.
• The Junior Boarding School Association lists ten schools as members.

They offer accelerated learning.

Probably the most compelling reason to send your child to a junior boarding school is to jump-start his academics.

• Having experienced, credentialled teachers in middle school is a huge plus for impressionable adolescents.
• If your son is passionate about math and science, he will have the opportunity to give wings to that passion.
• That's what a junior boarding school can do awfully well.

Junior boarding school students discover that despite all the pressures of adolescence, it is cool to be smart.

• Learning is challenging and stimulating, and always full of discovery.
• Your son