There are only a few boarding schools in the United States. Most of them were founded years ago by visionary, community-oriented people who believed that children from working class and poor families should have the same educational benefits as children from wealthy families. The impact of these schools on society is enormous. The benefits for thousands of students and their families are priceless.
As you read about these schools and watch the videos, remember that all these schools strongly believe that education is not just about academics. Every school understands that a child needs care and guidance to make the most of their opportunities. In addition, these schools expect the involvement of the child's family. His education is a collaboration of three: home, school and student. This is exactly what it takes to give your child the solid foundation they need to succeed in adult life.
Girard College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stephen Girard was one of the richest men in America when he founded the companyGirard Collegein Philadelphia. The school is unique because it hosts all students from 1st to 12th grade. Free.The school serves approximately 580 students in grades 1-12. Almost 100% of graduates continue their studies at the university.
“The benefactor of the school, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), donated his generous fortune to the education and care of needy children. For as long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefited from strong academic and extracurricular programs, and lived safely on a 43-acre gated campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Source:Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This video presents a virtual tour of Girard College.
From Kamehameha School in Honolulu, Hawaii
Kamehameha schoolswere founded in 1887 by Princess Bernice Pauahi, daughter of the last king of Hawaii, King Kamehameha I. She sought to educate the native people of Hawaii by donating 375,000 acres of her family land to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, a Hawaiian education trust. As a result, the Kamehameha donation is the largest high school donation in the United States, worth approximately $13 billion by 2021.The school serves 6,500 students in grades PK-12 on 3 campuses in Hawaii. It also runs 29 kindergartens serving 1,500 students.
This video introduces Kamehameha schools.
De Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pensylwania
Yes, this Hershey. The founder of the chocolate company that bears his name also founded a school calledDe Milton Hershey Schoolin 1909.The school serves approximately 1,800 students in grades PK-12.
The school is funded by a trust founded by Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine. Milton Hershey School offers year-round positive, orderly family life and an excellent nursery through 12th grade. Our vision is focused on developing character and providing children with the skills they need to succeed in all aspects of life." Source:De Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pensylwania
This video provides an overview of Milton Hershey School.
Boarding schools with generous financial support
Many boarding schools offer generous financial aid programs for students from families with certain incomes. Because boarding schools are unique organizations, the amount of financial aid offered varies from school to school. So don't hesitate to ask. Three of America's leading boarding schools provide free education to qualified American families. There are many more. Identify them by searching under the Recruitment link. Tuition & Financial Aid is usually a related tab.
Exeter is free for families with incomes under $75,000. We pay tuition fees, books and teaching aids and provide pocket money to buy a computer. We are committed to making Exeter accessible to families from all socio-economic backgrounds.Bron:Philips Exeter Academie, Exeter, New Hampshire
Since 2008, the Groton School has waived tuition, housing, and meals for students from families with incomes below $80,000. This policy reflects the school's recognition that Groton's large resources and Groton's promise of education should be available to all. Again, don't assume you don't qualify for help. Source:Grotonschool, Groton, Massachusetts
Families of admitted US students with an annual household income of up to $125,000 are generally eligible for full student loans. Our packages fully meet the demonstrated need of admitted students. This means there will be no difference between what we've determined you can afford and what we'll grant you, and you won't have to pay anything back. Source:St. George's School Paul, Concord, New Hampshire
What can you do to help?
When you're reading this article, you're probably doing it from the comfort of your own home. So why not be proactive in telling others about these great free schools? Too often, families who could benefit from sending their children to free private schools should be aware that such options exist.
Please donate to one or more of these schools. Keep the vision of Stephen Girard, Milton Hershey and all other visionary benefactors alive by supporting such schools. Your generosity can be a positive life-changing force for a young person.
Schools like the one described above were created because rich people had a vision. They understood that they had to do something important to ensure the future of educated citizens. As you read the history of each of the schools, you will see how they have changed in many ways from the institutions envisioned by their founders years ago. These changes and adjustments have made these schools more relevant and effective in the 21st century.
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FAQs
Are there free boarding schools in us? ›
- Girard College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- The Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu, Hawaii.
- The Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Explain why you feel boarding school is the best option for you. "I want to attend boarding school because it will (help me prepare for college, increase my chances to play DI sports, allow me to attend therapy and school, etc.)." Mention that you've started preparing for the application process.
How does bording school work? ›Children in boarding schools study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers or administrators. Some boarding schools also have day students who attend the institution by day and return off-campus to their families in the evenings.
How much do American boarding schools cost? ›According to Boarding School Review, the average boarding school tuition for a U.S. citizen is $56,875 per year (as of October 14, 2019). The tuition ranges are incredibly vast, from a mere $9,600 per year to more than $90,000 per year.
What is the youngest age for boarding school USA? ›It all depends on when your child is ready, but here in the U.S., the most common entry points for boarding school are 9th and 10th grades, so students are between the ages of 14 and 16. Many schools offer the option of a post-graduate year for 18 or 19-year-olds.
What is better than boarding school? ›Day school advantages
Overall tuition is significantly lower (for schools that offer both day and boarding, day tuition is about half that of boarding). Frees family from dealing with transportation to school and activities. Students and parents can invest saved time in more enriching pursuits.
Living away from home and residing on campus in a dorm setting provides invaluable opportunities for personal growth. Boarding school students tend to develop life skills such as time management, work ethic, and independence in an accelerated manner than a public school student.
What state has the most boarding schools? ›The state with the largest number of elite boarding schools is Massachusetts. The states boasts 12 schools, and some of the most prestigious in the world.
Why send my child to boarding school? ›Boarding school is a holistic approach to education by granting your child the space to develop new interests, make friends, grow their education, and give them the life skills they will need to be successful.
Are boarding school students more successful? ›According to a recent study conducted by the Arts & Science Group of Baltimore for The Association of Boarding Schools, (TABS), boarding school students are more likely than private and public school students to earn an advanced degree and achieve faster career advancement.
What is the best age for boarding school? ›
While the age of 8 to 13 years is considered appropriate for sending your child to a boarding school, you need to decide after thoroughly assessing your child's personality and character. Your child must be emotionally capable of handling being away from home.
Where do teachers sleep in boarding schools? ›At boarding school, teachers often live in the same building you do. Entire families may live in your same dormitory, and they are there for you, like a family. You'll also eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with your teachers and coaches in the school dining halls, so you see them every day, many times a day.
Do you sleep at boarding school? ›Boarding school students mainly share a bedroom with one other person up to 16 years old, although 16 to 18 year olds have their own bedroom. Younger children in some schools share a dorm room with 4 pupils sleeping on 2 separate bunk beds.
How many kids go to boarding school in the US? ›Boarding schools represent only a sliver of K-12 schools in the United States. About 35,000 students attend U.S. private schools as boarders each year at campuses scattered nationwide, though mostly on the East Coast, according to the Association of Boarding Schools.
How do I choose a boarding school in the US? ›- Reputation.
- Academic programs.
- Class size.
- Cost.
- Extracurricular programs.
- Rankings/reviews.
- Quality, educated faculty.
- Specialty programs.
1. Woodside Priory School, CA - $81,240. The number one school on our list is California's Woodside Priory School, the most expensive boarding school in the US. Founded in 1957, the Priory is a co-educational day and boarding school that teaches children from grades 6-12.
What grade do most boarding schools begin? ›Boarding schools usually offer 9th grade through 12th grade. Junior boarding schools are residential schools which 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.
What age can a girl go to military school? ›Applicants must meet the following basic eligibility requirements: At least age 17, but not 23 or older, on July 1 of the year you enter West Point. A U.S. Citizen (See Information for International Cadets for exceptions) Not married.
What grade is a 17 year old in? ›Boarding schools, and military schools in particular, are especially geared to help students acquire the necessary discipline to make a smooth transition to college.
What's the difference between boarding school and private school? ›
A private school (aka “private day school”) offers students classes, athletics and extracurricular activities, but students do not live on campus. Keep in mind that boarding schools are also considered private schools, but they offer the advantage of a residential life experience.
What is the #1 boarding school in America? ›#1 Phillips Academy Andover
It was founded in 1778 and has a long tradition of academic excellence, with notable alumni including George W. Bush and Julie Andrews. Phillips Academy Andover is also one of the most selective boarding schools in the country, with an acceptance rate of just 13%.
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Located in Andover, Massachusetts, Phillips Academy was founded in 1778,and is the oldest incorporated boarding school in the United States.
Between 1869 and the 1960s, hundreds of thousands of Native American children were removed from their homes and families and placed in boarding schools operated by the federal government and the churches.
How do I help my child adjust to boarding school? ›- Keep conversations positive. Being away from family can be stressful for any child, no matter how excited they are about attending their dream boarding school. ...
- Visit often (both in-person and online). ...
- Pack smart. ...
- Encourage healthy living. ...
- Offer your support.
While day students take part in study hall, eat meals in the dining hall, attend extra help sessions in the evening, participate in all campus activities, and have access to all Proctor has to offer, life as a day student differs from those of boarding students.
How many students do most boarding schools have? ›Boarding schools range in size from rather small (100 students) to rather large (1200 students). Most boarding school populations are somewhere in the middle with 300-400 students.
Do boarding schools give homework? ›They have a session called 'prep' held after school where they study and do homework with support from staff. The length of the session depends on the school itself and how old the students are. They're usually for those who are over 7 years old.
What time do you have to wake up in boarding school? ›What time is wake-up call? On a school day, boarding students are woken up at 6:30 a.m. by what is known as “Reveille.” Reveille is a bugle call, trumpet call, or pipes call most often associated with the military.
Do boarding schools allow phones in the US? ›Another way to help our students is showing them we care about them; by dedicating personalized time and being there for them at all times. One common question to ask in this area is why do boarding schools allow phones. The answer is that they normally don't unless it is absolutely necessary.
Can you bring a TV to boarding school? ›
Your boarding school likely won't allow you to have a television screen in your dorm room, and if you are allowed a TV, you typically won't be allowed to have one over a certain size and it must be free-standing.
Where can I send my troubled child for free in Michigan? ›The Michigan Youth Challenge Academy is a program of the National Guard and is FREE to parents.
Where can I send my troubled child in Georgia? ›Elevations RTC is the first choice for Georgia parents seeking a premier Residential Treatment Center and Fully-accredited, Academic Treatment Program to offer assistance to their troubled child experiencing substance use (including marijuana), clinical depression, or academic failure.
Are there boarding schools in PA for low income families? ›Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Milton Hershey School is a free boarding school for low-income families who desire an improved educational experience for their children. The school was founded by businessman and chocolatier Milton Hershey.
Personal Growth. Living away from home and residing on campus in a dorm setting provides invaluable opportunities for personal growth. Boarding school students tend to develop life skills such as time management, work ethic, and independence in an accelerated manner than a public school student.
Where can I send my son who is out of control? ›Boot camps, wilderness camps, boarding schools – there are countless residential treatment centers that present themselves as the solution for troubled youth.
How much is boarding school in Michigan? ›What is the average tuition cost of boarding school in Michigan? The average Michigan boarding school tuition cost is $46,298 per year.
Is it illegal to not send your kid to school in Michigan? ›The law in Michigan governing compulsory attendance requires a parent, legal guardian, or other person having control or charge of a child age six to sixteen to send the child to school during the entire school year, except under the limited circumstances specified in subsection (3) of section 380.1561.
Do they still do the Scared Straight program? ›Scared Straight programs are used throughout the United States as a means of deterring juvenile crime. “Established in the 1970s, Scared Straight programs are used throughout the United States as a means of deterring juvenile crime.
How do you treat a troubled child? ›- Do what feels right. What you do has to be right for your child, yourself and the family. ...
- Do not give up. Once you've decided to do something, continue to do it. ...
- Be consistent. ...
- Try not to overreact. ...
- Talk to your child. ...
- Be positive about the good things. ...
- Offer rewards. ...
- Avoid smacking.
Is there a free boot camp for troubled youth in Georgia? ›
Believe. Achieve. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program was established by Congress in 1993 to turn around the lives of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 18 who are experiencing difficulty in completing traditional high school. This is a free program open to Georgia residents.
Does boarding school make you independent? ›Independence and Responsibility
A boarding school will teach your child independence. Your child will be responsible for keeping their belongings organized and getting themselves to class on time. If your child learns independence early, then it will be easier for them to stand on their own once they enter adulthood.
Off Reservation Boarding Schools are operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior. There are a range of schools throughout the US, each schools have been Continuously operated Native American students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in the United States.
Does the Milton Hershey School still exist? ›Today, Milton Hershey School continues the tradition of preparing children to lead productive and fulfilling lives. It provides a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from low-income families. The Hersheys' legacy and vision lives on in its students and alumni.
Why would someone send their child to boarding school? ›Boarding school is a holistic approach to education by granting your child the space to develop new interests, make friends, grow their education, and give them the life skills they will need to be successful.
What are the consequences of boarding schools? ›- Problems with anger, depression, or anxiety.
- Failure to sustain relationships and difficulties with emotional intimacy.
- Fear of abandonment and/or separation anxiety.
- Lack of trust.