Narrowing Your List

Most American families thinking about boarding school tend to stick to schools located within the United States. But, depending on your circumstances and inclinations, you might want to think about Canadian boarding schools. Here are five reasons why.

Canada's boarding schools have quietly built strong reputations among families seeking rigorous academics, diverse student populations, and access to some of North America's most beautiful landscapes. While many U.S. families automatically focus their boarding school search domestically, Canada's schools offer a compelling alternative that combines familiar educational standards with the benefits of an international experience.

For students interested in broadening their perspectives without traveling halfway around the world, a Canadian boarding school can provide the ideal balance of independence, academic challenge, and cultural enrichment.

The foreign factor

Canada is not the U.S. It is a sovereign nation with a multi-ethnic population of approximately 41.5 million people. Most of the population resides along the U.S.-Canadian border. The three principal cities are Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Each has its own particular characteristics and attributes which you can discover as you explore their websites.

Canada is close to the United States. Most major Canadian cities are short flights from most American cities. So you don't have to fret about getting there quickly if something happens to your child. You do need to have proper identification both to enter Canada and, perhaps more importantly, to return home to the United States.

Canadians and Americans share much in common. The shops and restaurants are similar

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

There is a body of research that suggests that girls do learn differently from boys. So, if that is the case, maybe you should consider a girls' school for your daughter instead of sending her off to a coed school. Here are some points to ponder.

For families exploring this option in 2026, Boarding School Review lists 19 all-girls boarding schools serving 5,097 students in the United States and Canada. As with any school choice, however, the individual student's needs, interests, and personality should guide the decision.

1. She will have fewer distractions.

The social static and inherent distractions that occur when you mix adolescent boys and girls in a coeducational school just do not happen in a girls' school. The social expectations and stereotypes can be broken down. There will be time enough later for the distractions that members of the opposite sex provide. Fewer distractions mean a girl can focus on being herself, finding out who she is, exploring new worlds, lines of thinking, and so much more. She can think outside the box with relative impunity. And that is a good thing.

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

Single-sex education has a long and distinctive history in the annals of Western education.

It also has its dark side when you consider that only children of the upper classes were taught how to read and write. When the founders of this country began to grapple with the realities of building and advancing a nation built on democratic principles, they soon realized that education was one of the keys to future success.

The Phillips family, for example, invested substantial amounts of money to establish the now-famous schools, Andover and Exeter, which bear their name. Many other visionaries did the same thing or followed their example, as you can see from this list of schools established in the 1700s. Those first schools were single-sex schools. Boys' schools. Girls didn't matter back then, apparently.

For the 2026-27 school year, Boarding School Review continues to list all-boys boarding schools as a distinct boarding school option for families.

This vision statement from Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Virginia, states the argument succinctly:

"Since the school’s founding in 1889, Woodberry Forest has sought to develop young men of intellectual thoroughness and principled integrity equipped with the capacity and eagerness to serve as leaders, learners, and citizens. Consistent with the historical founding of the school on Christian principles, we aspire to instill in

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

When choosing a boarding school, size can quickly determine the ultimate experience your child will have, both educationally and socially. Small boarding schools provide both intimate learning environments and close bonds within the student body and are an excellent choice for any student looking for personal attention in the classroom.

In 2026, the advantages associated with smaller boarding communities remain relevant for families comparing schools. Enrollment alone, however, does not determine the experience. Parents should also consider class size, student-teacher ratio, residential structure, academic offerings, and the availability of extracurricular programs when determining whether a smaller environment is the right fit.

What is the Definition of a Small Boarding School?

While boarding schools are generally already small compared to public schools, small boarding schools typically have fewer than 200 students enrolled in the program, with some institutions boasting as small a roll call as 25 students. According to the Small Boarding School Association, they are characterized by low student-teacher ratios and an emphasis on individual learning.

For 2026-27, the Small Boarding School Association's eligibility guidelines provide additional context for this definition. Eligible schools generally have boarding program enrollment near or below 200 students, although total school enrollment may be higher. The association also requires eligible schools to offer a full academic-year program and to be accredited, or in the process of formal accreditation. Boarding School Review maintains a current directory of

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

The staff wrote this article on Boarding Schools in the USA.

Arts programs are an especially appealing aspect of selecting a U.S. boarding school. You may be narrowing your search to U.S. programs because contemporary and traditional art forms flourish in this country, and many of our boarding schools excel in arts instruction and practice.

To be sure, arts programs vary widely. Some programs specialize in visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and computer graphics), theatre (acting and theatre design), dance (ballet, jazz, or modern), creative writing, music (vocal or instrumental), or filmmaking. Other schools offer relatively little instruction in the arts and specialize more in outdoor activities, military training, etc.

In 2026, these choices include both traditional boarding schools with strong arts offerings and specialized pre-professional schools. Boarding School Review lists four U.S. pre-professional arts boarding schools for the 2026-27 school year.

When choosing a boarding school in the U.S.A., it is important to match your interests and goals, which may change over time, with the school's strengths.

Research each school's offerings to see if the arts are part of your interests and passions. Spend time reading the school's literature and visiting its website. Be sure to look for the qualifications of the teachers, who may themselves be artists, and the range and level of available courses. Examine the facilities available, the theater, studios, and practice rooms. If possible, visit the school