20 Best Boarding Schools in the World

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 20 Best Boarding Schools in the World with insights into the annual tuition fees of each school. The tuition fees are considered because expensive schools often have more resources to invest in their students. For a quick overview of the 5 Best Boarding Schools, read our article 5 Best Boarding Schools in the World.

For the super-rich, enrolling children in the world’s most expensive boarding schools is a natural progression, alongside luxurious homes, sports cars, and designer wardrobes. These top-ranked institutions offer a world-class education, with thought-provoking extracurricular activities, diverse subjects, and many other lavish perks.

While the cost is staggering, many wealthy parents believe it is a worthwhile investment. Graduates of these schools gain access to the best education that money can buy and the opportunity to cultivate friendships with the offspring of royalty and billionaires.

Post-Pandemic School Enrollment Trends in the US

Independent school enrollment rebounded in 2021–2022, with the median number of students per school increasing to 396 from 378 in 2020–2021. 60% of schools reported higher enrollment in 2021–2022 than in 2017–2018—however, enrollment trends varied by school type and location. Median enrollment for day and coed schools increased between 2017–2018 and 2021–2022 but fell at boarding schools and single-sex schools. Smaller schools struggled more than large ones. Schools in metropolitan areas as diverse as Miami, Denver, and Charlotte experienced significant enrollment increases. In contrast, Chicago, Baltimore, and New York schools saw the largest decreases over the same period.

Despite these challenges, the rebounding enrollment in 2021–2022 and early signs of healthy registration in 2022–2023 suggest that independent schools will continue to play an essential role in supporting students and their families.

A Look Into Education Industry

Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA), Inc. provides post-secondary education and job-ready skills programs, both in-person and online. Earnings of Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA) are forecast to grow 58.05% per year. Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA), launched SEI Ventures in 2018, a seed-stage venture fund that invests in pioneering education of tech startups focused on transformational technologies and student success. SEI Ventures provides capital and the opportunity to pilot technologies across its broad institutions, including Strayer University, Capella University, and coding boot camps. Ecree received a $500,000 investment in this venture to develop its assessment capabilities and scale its offerings to more higher-education students. Strayer University students have used Ecree software since 2016, and courses incorporating Ecree have shown higher average grades.

Moreover, Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA) has benefited from solid enrollment trends, favorable pricing, and innovative programs. STRA’s stock has gained 19.9% in the past year, underperforming the Zacks Schools industry’s 31.5% growth. However, the company’s ongoing enrollment growth trend and strategic pricing are expected to drive growth in the upcoming period. Analysts are optimistic about STRA’s potential, as evidenced by the upward revision of 2023 earnings estimates from $3.16 to $3.21 per share over the past 30 days.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) is a shared services partner that helps colleges and universities design and deliver programs to diverse student bodies at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral. Grand Canyon Education’s services support the entire student lifecycle, including enrollment, advising, financial aid, learning management systems, technical support, student records, compliance, marketing, HR, classroom operations, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment and training. Institutional investors own 98.62% of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE), making it one of the most institutionally owned companies in the miscellaneous commercial services industry. In the quarter ended June 2019, institutional investors purchased a net $64.8 thousand shares of LOPE.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) has partnered with 3 manufacturing companies, Benchmark Electronics, Modern Industries, and Lux Precision Manufacturing, to create the CNC Machinist Pathway, a program that will prepare students for a high-demand trade. CNC machining uses computers to precision manufacture parts, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 7% national growth rate for machinists through 2030.

Udemy (NASDAQ:UDMY) is an online learning platform with a wide range of affordable courses on various subjects. In Q2 2023 earnings call transcripts, Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) reported that revenue increased 36% year-over-year, exceeding $100 million for the first time. Total revenue increased 16% year-over-year to $178.2 million, beating the high end of guidance by $4 million. Revenue growth was impacted by a 3 percentage point decline due to foreign exchange rates.

Furthermore, Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) continued to expand in Asia-Pacific with new customer wins through strategic reseller partnerships, including Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. (Japan), Nomura Real Estate Development (Japan), Nitto Denko (Japan), Shinsegae I&C (South Korea), and Sumitomo Life Information Systems Co. (Japan). Udemy, Inc. (NASDAQ:UDMY) also introduced the availability of Udemy Badging as part of a new Integrated Skills Framework. This comprehensive skill-building approach will enable organizations to future-proof their workforce and keep pace with innovation through exciting new offerings.

Best boarding schools in the World

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

To create a list of the 20 Best Boarding Schools in the World, we sourced data from the ranking of Fortune. This source has ranked 250 world’s leading boarding schools of 2023. We also cross-check the rankings for best boarding schools from World Schools, Admission Sight, and Forbes.  Parents and other connected people’s opinions matter a lot when deciding on the best boarding schools in the world. To understand their views, we analyzed numerous Reddit threads pertaining to opinions on boarding schools using search terms such as “best boarding schools” and “expensive boarding schools.

To ensure the reliability of our list, we have collected the data on Fee structure from the official websites of the respective schools (the source is linked under each school in the list).  The tuition fees are considered because expensive schools often have more resources to invest in their students.

Our list lists the 20 Best Boarding Schools in the World in ascending order of their annual fees. In cases where two or more schools have the same amount of tuition fees, they are analyzed for their ranking in the sources. The school with higher rankings in the sources would be ranked higher than the others with the same score.

In this vein, here is our list of 20 Best Boarding Schools in the World.

20 Best Boarding Schools in the World

20. Eton College

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 60,980

Eton College is a charitable educational organization with several educational partnerships with schools all around the globe. The college provides scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students. With a long history, Eton College is a prestigious institution with charitable work that helps ensure all students reach their full potential.

19. Cardiff Sixth Form College

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 63,398

With over 90% of students consistently achieving A+ and A grades, Cardiff Sixth Form College is ranked as one of the top A-level schools in the UK and even across the globe. The college holds prominent qualities such as one-to-one support, excellent teaching, great academic materials, and a modified super-curricular program of activities. The College also offers students work placement, career guidance, and volunteering opportunities.

18. Hurtwood House School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 63,647

Hurtwood House School claims to be an individual educational institute with a unique educational system that combines the best elements of the modern school system with traditional ways of boarding schools. Along with breaking new academic grounds, Hurtwood preserves traditional values and has created a safe stepping-stone between school and university.

17. The Webb School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 63,900

On a 150-acre boarding and day high school for grades 9-12, The Webb Schools claims to commit to diversity and inclusion with a rigorous academic program and a supportive community. Students from various counties and cultures come to The Webb Schools for its academic excellence and strong sense of community.

16. Phillips Exeter Academy

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 64,789

With over 1,000 high school students from 34 different countries, Exeter is a co-educational, residential school with a centuries-old tradition of commitment to empowering students and having academic excellence. Exeter claims to encourage curiosity for learning and cultivate potential. More than 450 courses in 18 subject areas are offered with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and the opportunity to study on five continents.

15. Phillips Academy Andover

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 69,600

Committed to diversity, inclusion, and excellence, Phillips Academy is a school that believes that all students should have an equal opportunity to grow and learn. The school has developed a system for students, enabling them to develop their best selves and to make a difference in the world. The design of the academy is diverse and inclusive. Students from all backgrounds are welcome and respected, promoting a learning culture with mutual respect.

14. Aiglon College

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 73,377

A Swiss boarding school famous for its distinguished cultural and national diversity, Aiglon College is in alpine surroundings, providing exceptional opportunities for personal development and classroom learning. The unique expeditions program offered by the College helps students develop teamwork, self-reliance, determination, and leadership.

13. The Masters School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 74,500

The Master school claims to focus on meaningful connection, deep understanding, and active learning. The school offers a community for students from diverse backgrounds to help them learn, grow, and build an environment of mutual respect for every culture.

12. The Lawrenceville School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 76,080

Lawrenceville School claims it provides its students with a supportive, inclusive community, a rigorous academic program, and the opportunity to develop their global perspective. The school enables them to prepare to make a positive impact on the world. Lawrenceville School is committed to helping its students become global citizens, lifelong learners, and responsible leaders.

11. Albans School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 78,196

St. Albans School welcomes students of all faiths from intentionally diverse communities. It is a school that values respect, compassion, and excellence. It provides its students with a rigorous academic program, a supportive community, and the opportunity to develop their moral and spiritual values. St. Albans’ graduates are well-prepared for the rigors of college and beyond. They are also prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

10. THINK Global School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 94,050

Think Global School (TGS) offers a unique high school learning and experience. Students of TGS travel the world and spend three years studying in ten different countries. TGS is a co-educational, non-profit, and non-denominational school. The curriculum offered in LGS combines project-based and place-based learning to engage students with the communities and cultures they visit.

9. The American School in Switzerland (TASIS)

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 104, 0443

Established in 1956 by M. Crist Fleming, TASIS The American School in Switzerland is a renowned day and boarding institution fostering global citizenship through education, travel, and service. Catering to students from Pre-Kindergarten to Postgraduate levels, it hosts approximately 750 students each year, with around 260 residing on campus. The student body, representing nearly 60 nationalities and conversing in over 30 languages, underscores the school’s remarkable diversity and international perspective. Hurtwood House School, United Kingdom.

8. Regent International School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 104,700

Regent is located in one of the sunniest and safest areas of the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana, which offers glorious panoramic views, pure air, and a warm and welcoming community to students. It is a state-of-the-art Swiss IB World School offering a rigorous academic program to students aged 4 to 18.

7. Shortridge Academy

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 110,000

Shortridge Academy in Southeastern New Hampshire provides young students mental health assistance and therapeutic support. The campus covering 350 acres provides a structured and nurturing environment for teens needing more intensive mental health care than they can receive at home, at school, or in a traditional residential setting.

6. Collège du Léman International School

Annual Tuition Fee (USD): 112,476

With over 260 students residing on campus, Collège du Léman is a Swiss boarding and day school for students from different cultures and nations. The school claims that cultural diversity is celebrated and students challenge and inspire one another to become global citizens. The college building is enriched with symbols of European cultural heritage and the spectacular natural beauty of the Alps.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Boarding Schools in the World.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure. None. 20 Best Boarding Schools in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.