Education is free in most countries, but the most expensive high schools in the world charge a fortune for their students to attend classes. A handful of elite educational institutions offer their services in exchange for a tuition rate surpassing $50,000 a year. In return for this pricey investment, the young scholars enjoy a far more individual approach in their education, with an oftentimes challenging environment.
A while ago, we published an article on the 10 most expensive boarding schools in the world, which boasted similar prices in exchange for education, food, and housing. However, given that the schools on today’s list don’t offer residency, they stand out for their expensive tuition and intense curriculums. Although some countries, like Sweden, offer a very solid public education program, the most expensive high schools in the world can be found in any country, from Switzerland to the U.S.
So, let’s take a look at which emblematic institutions earn the highest grade as the most expensive high schools in the world.
7. Brillantmont International School
Annual Tuition: $34,155
When your school grounds overlook the Swiss Alps and Lake Léman, your tuition is bound to be pricey. Brillantmont offers that view, as well as an extremely rich school life to its 100 boarding students and 50 day students (ages 11 and onward). Apart from extracurricular activities like Model United Nations, Finance Society, Yoga, and Photography, the school also focuses on small classrooms, with an average of 12 students.
The schools and their tuitions get even more brilliant, as we continue to countdown the most expensive high schools in the world, on the next page.
6. Lawrenceville School
Annual tuition: $42,185
This co-educational college preparatory school was founded in 1810 and today’s student body includes a little over 800 wealthy teenagers enrolled in grades 9-12. The 700-acre campus holds 34 buildings, and the high-tuition is partly due to the exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1.
5. Middlesex School
Annual Tuition: 43,300
Founded in 1901 in Concord, Massachusetts, the school enrolls approximately 375 between grades 9 and 12. While its international crowd is fairly large, with 18 nations represented, the school also prides itself on having an extended PE program, with 29 sports offered to students.
4. The American School in Switzerland
Annual Tuition: 46,472
Although this private international school educates children from pre-school through post-graduate, its tuition for day-students increases every few years, reaching its highest point during the high school phase. However, it does offer a broad ethnic mix with a total of 740 students representing 59 nationalities. Its location – Montagnola, south of Lugano – is also magnificent, but TASIS remains known as the oldest college-preparatory school in Europe.
3. Stevenson School
Annual tuition: $54,600
Located in Pebble Beach and Carmel, California, this private, co-educational school offers its services to students of all ages, ranging from preschool to 12th grade. Furthermore, children can choose between housing in one of the institution’s many dormitories or attending the school merely by day. One of the advantages of this school seems to be its mere 500 students, which allows for integral and personalized education. And the tuition seems to be worth it, since nearly 100% of Stevenson graduates continue on to college.
2. Tonbridge School
Annual Tuition: $56,201
Founded back in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judd, the independent day and boarding school is considered a public school in the British sense of the term. With a student body of 800 boys ages 13 to 18, the school campus leaves plenty of space for shenanigans on its 150 acres. However, academics are taken seriously at this institution, as almost 90% of all students at Tonbridge hold an A-average.
1. St. George’s School in Switzerland
Annual tuition: $80,526
With its campus situated between Switzerland’s Vevey and Montreux, this international school is the most expensive day institution in the world. The student body of 480 pupils represents 50 nationalities, stretched out between ages 3 and 18. The pricey tuition assures that students are prepared adequately for all international high school examinations, as well as granting a spectacular view of the Alps and Lake Geneva.
