Most Selective Boarding Schools

Among "Schools with 400+ Students", view the boarding schools with the lowest acceptance rates (2023-24).

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.

Berkshire School Photo - Founded in 1907, Berkshire School is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school for 400 ninth-12th graders and post-graduates, offering a forward-thinking curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities on a 400-acre campus in Sheffield, Mass.

The Governor's Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy) Photo - Beautiful Setting: A 456-acre campus with extensive facilities for academics, athletics, and visual and performing arts.

The Hill School Photo - All students are required to attend sit-down family-style meals together in the Dining Room for lunch, and boarding students attend seated dinners several nights a week. Faculty members and their families join the students in a relaxed, yet formal atmosphere, where they enjoy interaction with one another outside of the classroom.

Lawrenceville School Photo - The Lawrenceville School

Loomis Chaffee Photo - Collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication - four competencies in which all Loomis students become skilled practitioners.

Middlesex School Photo - The Dining Hall at lunchtime

Milton Academy Photo - Milton Academy is only eight miles from Boston's museums, schools and attractions, but it has the benefits of a 130-acre New England campus-with green quads and lots of fall foliage.

The Pennington School Photo - Welcome to The Pennington School! We believe transformational growth is the hallmark of an excellent education and the cornerstone of life. Over our 180-year history, we have been 100% dedicated to inspiring student growth by approaching each student as an individual. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by an outside consultant, the majority of our

Phillips Academy Andover Photo - The quintessential New England campus is 21 miles to Boston by car or train, and a 10 minute walk to downtown Andover.

St. Paul's School Photo - Faculty and students at dinner

Suffield Academy Photo - The Bell on Suffield's Bell Hill is a central school symbol. All students ring it after receiving their Suffield diplomas at Commencement, and victorious athletic teams ring it throughout the year.

The Taft School Photo - More than a century has passed since Mr. Taft founded our school. While the world and the school have changed dramatically, his fundamental values endure: work hard, without regard for public acclaim; develop all your talents: academic, artistic, and athletic; and most importantly, give of yourself to others.

The Webb Schools Photo - Although community service hours are not required at Webb, many of our students volunteer for one or more of our numerous service activities. Students have traveled to Costa Rica, Thailand, Romania, Australia, Nepal, Fiji and across Africa on service trips.

Lake Forest Academy Photo - Everyone at LFA (students, faculty, and staff) belongs to one of four houses - Bird, Lewis, Sargent, or Welch. The four Houses compete in a series of mini competitions throughout the year and the House that earns the most points WINS!

Acceptance Rate Range: 10% 95% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 43%

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