Boarding Schools with the Smallest Average Class Size (2026-27 Rankings)

National Average Class Size (Trends)

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

Total Growth: +1.6% (+0.2 since 2016)

Year	National avg	YoY Change (#)	YoY Change (%)
2025	12.8	— 0	— 0.0%
2024	12.8	▲ +0.1	▲ +0.8%
2023	12.7	▲ +0.1	▲ +0.8%
2022	12.6	▲ +0.1	▲ +0.8%
2021	12.5	▲ +0.1	▲ +0.8%
2020	12.4	▼ -0.2	▼ -1.6%
2019	12.6	▼ -0.1	▼ -0.8%
2018	12.7	▲ +0.1	▲ +0.8%
2017	12.6	— 0	— 0.0%
2016	12.6	— 0	— 0.0%
2015	12.6	— 0	— 0.0%
2014	12.6	—	—

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Show school map — National (# Students range: 5–25, avg 13)

# Students Range: 5 25 Avg. # Students: 13

Frequently Asked Questions

Which boarding schools have the smallest average class size?

The boarding schools with the smallest average class size are The Gow School, Oldfields School and Wolfeboro Camp School.

How many boarding schools are ranked for the smallest average class size?

267 boarding schools are ranked for the smallest average class size.

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Did You Know?

Keep in mind that small statistical differences in average class sizes between schools do not always indicate better student performance at one school or another.

Also keep in mind that boarding schools in general have smaller average class sizes than public schools - even for schools with larger class sizes, a "large" class in a boarding school would still often be considered small by public school standards which often have class sizes of 20 students.