Most Selective Boarding Schools

The average acceptance rate across the 50 ranked boarding schools with fewer than 200 students is 71% (2026-27).
Among boarding schools with fewer than 200 students, the one with the lowest acceptance rate is THINK Global School, with 10%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Schools with < 200 Students Ranked: 50
  • Top 20 Range (Lowest Acceptance Rates): 10%–90%
  • Schools with < 200 Students Avg.: 71%
  • National Avg.: 59%

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Schools with < 200 Students Ranked: 50
  • Top 20 Range (Lowest Acceptance Rates): 10%–90%
  • Schools with < 200 Students Avg.: 71%
  • National Avg.: 59%

National Average Acceptance Rate (Trends)

Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Total Growth: +9.7% (+5.2% since 2016)

Show school map — National (Acceptance Rate range: 10%–100%, avg 71%)
Acceptance Rate Range: 10% 100% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 71%

Lowest Acceptance Rates (2026-27)

Among Schools with < 200 Students (out of 50 schools)

Sorted by range (alphabetically within range)
THINK Global School Photo - THINK Global School is comprised of 30 high school students who hail from all over the world. It's an opportunity to live next to and learn from a truly global student body.
Gr: 11-12
1460 Broadway Street #4027
New York, NY 10036
(646) 768-0302
Wayland Academy Photo - Wayland Hall, the most historic buildings on campus, currently houses first-year and sophomore boys. The interior was remodeled recently and offers some of the nicest rooms and gathering spaces on any campus in America.
#1(T1–T2)Wayland Academy
Gr: 9-12, PG
101 North University
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
(800) 860-7725
(4)
The Peddie School Photo
Gr: 9-12, PG
201 South Main Street
Hightstown, NJ 08520
(609) 944-7501
Northwood School Photo
Gr: 9-12, PG
92 Northwood Road
Lake Placid, NY 12946
(518) 523-3382
(1)
Dublin School Photo - There`s dramatic beauty that is apparent on your first visit to Dublin. Surrounded by unspoiled forests, pristine lakes and Mt. Monadnock - the most climbed mountain in the world, our 500-acre campus supports a vibrant and supportive community of scholars, artists and athletes.
Gr: 9-12
18 Lehmann Way, PO Box 522
Dublin, NH 03444
(603) 563-7075
(1)
Besant Hill School Photo - Besant Hill School is located in the Ojai Valley, on 500 acres of private land with beautiful vistas in every direction. Facilities include four dormitories, outdoor sports facilities including a new aquatic center, indoor theater, atelier, and classrooms nestled along winding paths and oak trees. We also have an eight acre organic farm.
Gr: 9-12, PG
8585 Ojai Santa Paula Road
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-4343
(1)
New England Innovation Academy Photo
Gr: 7-12, PG
280 Locke Drive
Marlborough, MA 01752
(508) 205-4270
Rock Point School Photo - Engaged learning with hands-on teachers.
Gr: 9-12, PG
1 Rock Point Road
Burlington, VT 05408
(802) 863-1104
Blue Ridge School Photo - Our beautiful 750 acre campus is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a lovely 30 minute drive from Charlottesville Virginia. We take full advantage our location to help boys channel their energy, hone their leadership skills, foster respect for the environment, enhance their self esteem, and learn the value of teamwork.
#9(T9–T17)Blue Ridge School
Gr: 9-12
All-boys (Episcopal)
273 Mayo Drive
St. George, VA 22935
(434) 985-2811
(7)
Bridgton Academy Photo
#9(T9–T17)Bridgton Academy
Gr: 12-12, PG
All-boys
11 Academy Lane
North Bridgton, ME 04057
(207) 647-3322
Colorado Rocky Mountain School Photo - With 174 students, relationships are at the core of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School experience. This close-knit community resides on a 320-acre historic ranch, at the confluence of two rivers and base of Mount Sopris, providing not only an outdoor learning laboratory but a launch point for boundless outdoor adventure.
Gr: 9-12
500 Holden Way
Carbondale, CO 81623
(970) 963-2562
(8)
North Country School Photo - Through a variety or teaching methods, hands-on projects, and innovative uses of technology, North Country School students acquire critical academic skills in the humanities, math, sciences and the arts. NCS has high expectations for students, and the school also recognizes that all children learn differently. Each child is challenged according to their ability.
Gr: 4-9
4382 Cascade Road
Lake Placid, NY 12946
(518) 523-9329
St. Thomas More School Photo - Beautiful rural campus located in Eastern Connecticut - just 2.5 hours from NYC.
Gr: 8-12, PG
45 Cottage Road
Oakdale, CT 06370
(860) 823-3861
St. Timothy's School Photo - Completed in 2012, Dixon Hall is our state-of-the-art academic building. The technology-rich facility features the Taft Lecture Hall, the Coleman World Languages and Cultures Center, and a Center for Learning and Teaching.
Gr: 9-12, PG
All-girls (Episcopal)
8400 Greenspring Avenue
Stevenson, MD 21153
(410) 486-7401
(2)
Stuart Hall School Photo - Students come together in the Arcade before celebrating our annual Ring Ceremony
#9(T9–T17)Stuart Hall School
Gr: 8-12, PG | 6-12, PG (day)
Episcopal
235 West Frederick Street
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 213-7098
Subiaco Academy Photo - Named by Architecture Digest as one of "The World's Most Beautiful Boarding Schools," the modified Romanesque style architecture was rebuilt in 1959 using native sandstone taken from our own quarries about a mile northeast of the Abbey.
#9(T9–T17)Subiaco Academy
Gr: 7-12
All-boys (Catholic)
405 North Subiaco Avenue
Subiaco, AR 72865
(479) 934-1000
(4)
Westover School Photo
#9(T9–T17)Westover School
Gr: 9-12, PG
All-girls
1237 Whittemore Rd.
Middlebury, CT 06762
(203) 577-4521
(12)
Academy of the Holy Family Photo - Ambassadors Club
Gr: 9-12
All-girls (Catholic)
54 W. Main Street Box 691
Baltic, CT 06330
(860) 822-6279
Asia Pacific International School Hawaii Photo - Asia Pacific International School (APIS) is a K-12, coed, college-preparatory school with a mission to nurture leaders of the New Pacific Century and bridge the gap between East and West.
Gr: 5-12, PG | 3-12, PG (day)
Christian
54-230 Kamehameha Hwy
Hauula, HI 96717
(808) 670-1909
(1)
Buffalo Seminary Photo - Our oldest tradition may be forward thinking but we are anchored in many other traditions too. Roses and white dresses for commencement. Our Social & Academic Honor Code. Morning Meeting to start the day. ..
#18(T18–T50)Buffalo Seminary
Gr: 9-12, PG
All-girls
205 Bidwell Parkway
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 885-6780
Map of Buxton School
#18(T18–T50)Buxton School
Gr: 9-12, PG
291 South Street
Williamstown, MA 01267
(413) 458-3919
(4)
Fishburne Military School Photo - Fishburne Military School is the smallest all-boys military boarding school in Virginia. Our cadets come from 18 different states and 4 countries. Located in Waynesboro VA, Fishburne continues to be a pillar of all-boys education since Fishburne's founding in 1879.
Gr: 8-12 | 6-12 (day)
All-boys
225 S. Wayne Avenue
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(540) 946-7706
(7)
Forman School Photo - The Forman Green is at the center of campus life. Surrounded by dorms and faculty homes, it reflects the traditional charm of an historic New England community.
#18(T18–T50)Forman School
Gr: 9-12, PG
12 Norfolk Road, P.O. Box 80
Litchfield, CT 06759
(860) 567-1802
(6)
Hargrave Military Academy Photo - Hargrave strives to develop well-rounded young men. Hargrave offers various opportunities for Cadets to be involved with music and the arts.
Gr: 7-12, PG
All-boys (Baptist)
200 Military Drive
Chatham, VA 24531
(800) 432-2480
(6)
Hershey Montessori School Photo - Adolescents build relationships and memories with peers of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, and prepare for adulthood in a global society.
Gr: 7-12, PG
11530 Madison Road
Huntsburg, OH 44046
(440) 357-0918
Hillside School Photo - Hillside School is located on 150 acres of land that is 45 minutes from Boston and 20 minutes from Worcester.
#18(T18–T50)Hillside School
Gr: 4-9 | K-9 (day)
404 Robin Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
(508) 485-3483
Hyde School Photo
#18(T18–T50)Hyde School
Gr: 9-12, PG
616 High Street
Bath, ME 04530
(207) 443-5584
The Knox School Photo - The Knox School is an independent boarding and day school serving Grades 6-12 and Post-Graduate on 35 acres of waterfront property along Long Island's North Shore. Our campus offers convenient access to New York City, JFK International Airport, and ferry service to Connecticut.
#18(T18–T50)The Knox School
Gr: 6-12, PG
541 Long Beach Road
Saint James, Long Island, NY 11780
(631) 686-1600
(3)
Lake Tahoe Prep and ISI Academy Olympic Valley Photo - Co-ed boarding school offering daily adventure, opportunities for winter sports at Palisades Tahoe, other sports seasonally, and college-prep academics in a supportive academic setting.
Gr: 9-12 | 5-12 (day)
255 Olympic Valley Road | P.O. Box 2180
Olympic Valley, CA 96146
(801) 336-0753
Linden Hall School for Girls Photo
Gr: 6-12, PG
All-girls
212 E Main Street
Lititz, PA 17543
(717) 626-8512
Lustre Christian High School Photo - Lustre Christian High School is located in Lustre, MT.
Gr: 9-12
Non-denom. / Christian
4 Lustre High Circle
Lustre, MT 59225
(406) 392-5735
Maharishi School Photo
#18(T18–T50)Maharishi School
Gr: 9-12 | PK-12 (day)
804 Dr Robert K Wallace Drive
Fairfield, IA 52556
(641) 472-9400
(2)
Maur Hill - Mount Academy (MH-MA) Photo
Gr: 9-12
Catholic
1000 Green St.
Atchison, KS 66002
(913) 367-5482
Michigan Lutheran High School Photo - Michigan Lutheran High School opened its best-in-class dormitory in August 2014. We are only one of six boarding schools recognized by the state of Michigan.
Gr: 9-12
Christian
615 East Marquette Woods Road
St. Joseph, MI 49085
(269) 429-7861
New York Military Academy Photo - New York Military Academy, established in 1889 in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, is a private, international boarding school serving grades 7 through 12. NYMA is dedicated to a comprehensive and substantive process of developing young leaders who are `Set Apart for Excellence`. Our goal is to prepare our cadets for success and fulfillment in college and in life.
Gr: 9-12, PG
78 Academy Ave.
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520
(845) 618-7335
(2)
Oak Hill Academy Photo
#18(T18–T50)Oak Hill Academy
Gr: 8-12
Baptist
2635 Oak Hill Road
Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
(276) 579-2619
(1)
Oak Ridge Military Academy Photo - Cadets gathering for the annual Corps Day Parade!
Gr: 7-12
2317 Oak Ridge Road
Oak Ridge, NC 27310
(336) 515-8040
The Phelps School Photo - At Phelps, students are at the heart of all we do. We educate boys in grades 6-12 from potential to purpose.
#18(T18–T50)The Phelps School
Gr: 6-12, PG
All-boys
583 Sugartown Road
Malvern, PA 19355
(443) 386-2199
Pillsbury College Prep Photo
Gr: 6-12
315 South Grove Avenue
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 214-2200
Pillsbury Summer School Camp Photo
Gr: 6-12
315 S. Grove Ave.
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 214-2200
Red Bird Christian School of Red Bird Mission, Inc. Photo
Gr: 7-12 | PK-12 (day)
Christian
15420 S HWY-66
Beverly, KY 40913
(606) 598-2416
RPS Academies Photo - International High-Performance Sports & Education Academy We Make Champions For Life
#18(T18–T50)RPS Academies
Gr: 6-12
3500 SE Morningside Dr
Port St Lucie, Florida, FL 34952
(772) 800-2444
St. Andrew's-Sewanee School Photo - Founded in 1868, St. Andrew's-Sewanee and its students enjoy many long held traditions like the Morning Watch, ringing the Chapel Bells after a victory, Creative Expression Assemblies, Winterim, and the International Flag Ceremony. Recent additions include the Tri-Tree Competition, the pancake race, and the Blessing of the Animals.
Gr: 7-12 | 6-12 (day)
Episcopal
290 Quintard Rd.
Sewanee, TN 37375
(931) 598-5651
(6)
St. Bernard Preparatory School Photo - Academic achievement is high on the list of St. Bernard Prep priorities, with students consistently ranking above national and state averages in ACT and National Merit Exams.
Gr: 7-12
Catholic
1600 St. Bernard Drive, S.E.
Cullman, AL 35055
(256) 255-5890
St. Lawrence Seminary High School Photo
Gr: 9-12
All-boys (Catholic)
301 Church Street
Mt. Calvary, WI 53057
(920) 753-7570
Southern Preparatory Academy Photo - As the leading college preparatory school in Camp Hill for girls and boys in grades 7-12, Southern Prep prepares students for success in college and in life. Within the framework of Christian example, our students are challenged to think, inspired to create, empowered to lead, motivated to win, and prepared to reach their God-given potential now and in the future.
Gr: 7-12
Non-denom. / Christian
174 Ward Circle
Camp Hill, AL 36850
(256) 790-9202
(3)
Thomas Jefferson School Photo - TJ sits on 20 picturesque acres in suburban St. Louis, MO.
Gr: 7-12
4100 South Lindbergh Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63127
(314) 843-4151
(2)
Wasatch Academy Photo - Wasatch Academy sits on a beautiful 35-acre campus located in central Utah, 90 minutes south of Salt Lake City in the quaint town of Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
#18(T18–T50)Wasatch Academy
Gr: 8-12, PG
120 South 100 West
Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647
(435) 462-1400
(5)
West Nottingham Academy Photo - Nestled on 100 acres in northeast Maryland, WNA is geographically situated among Washington DC, Baltimore, MD, Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, PA New York City, and the Delaware beaches. A campus where students learn and play.
Gr: 9-12, PG
1079 Firetower Road
Colora, MD 21917
(410) 658-9224
(10)
Wy'East Mountain Academy Photo
Gr: 7-12, PG
59550 East Highway 26
Sandy, OR 97055
(503) 622-8931
(5)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which boarding schools with fewer than 200 students have the lowest acceptance rates?
The boarding schools with fewer than 200 students with the lowest acceptance rates are THINK Global School, Wayland Academy and The Peddie School.
How many boarding schools with fewer than 200 students are ranked for the lowest acceptance rates?
50 boarding schools with fewer than 200 students are ranked for the lowest acceptance rates.

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Did You Know?

Acceptance rates listed below reflect the average rate of acceptance for all applicants (boarding and day applicants) in the previous year.
Keep in mind that acceptance rates may be lower or higher than the average acceptance rate depending on: what grade you are applying for, whether you are a boarding applicant or day student applicant, and the time of year you are applying.
Schools typically have the most openings for freshmen and sophomores (many schools do not accept incoming seniors), so applying for entrance into 9th or 10th grade may improve your chances of admission.
Acceptance rates between boarding applicants and day student applicants may differ (i.e., schools in certain areas may a higher ratio of day student applicants to day student openings, versus boarding applicants to boarding openings; the acceptance rate of some schools will actually be lower for day applicants and higher for boarding applicants).
Many, but not all, schools will accept applications after application deadlines, but admission generally becomes more difficult.

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