The 50 Most Expensive Boarding Schools In America

Location: Pawling, N.Y.

Total cost: $51,155

Enrollment: 245

Trinity-Pawling dedicated the school's Arboretum in 2012, which features over 30 varieties of trees.

Source: Trinity-Pawling School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Washington, Conn.

Total cost: $51,200

Enrollment: 205

Each year on Founder's Day, the school has the Founder's Day Regatta, a crew team competition.

Source: The Gunnery

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Concord, N.H.

Total cost: $51,200

Enrollment: 536

There are 18 residential houses on campus, ranging in styles from 19th century Gothic architecture to modern minimalism.

Source: St. Paul's School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Wallingford, Conn.

Total cost: $51,240

Enrollment: 837

Choate has a massive online library with over 80,000 eBooks and 26 digital databases.

Source: Choate Rosemary Hall

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Newtown, Penn.

Total cost: $51,250

Enrollment: 540

Students can study and become fluent in any one of four languages offered in the curriculum, including Latin.

Source: George School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Pottstown, Penn.

Total cost: $51,400

Enrollment: 506

The students at The Hill School created their own game called Javelin Ball, or J-Ball, which is essentially a game of baseball played with a tennis ball and racquet.

Source: The Hill School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Mercersburg, Penn.

Total cost: $51,425

Enrollment: 436

The campus is equipped with a 65,000 square-foot performing and visual arts center.

Source: Mercersburg Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Middletown, Del.

Total cost: $51,500

Enrollment: 298

The St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums Corps teaches students the bagpipes and field drummer, and performs during major athletic events.

Source: St. Andrew's School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Bethel, Maine

Total cost: $51,500

Enrollment: 240

Gould has seven different mountain sports teams, from snowboarding to Alpine skiing to Nordic skiing, which practice and compete at the nearby Sunday River Ski Resort.

Source: Gould Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Claremont, Calif.

Total cost: $51,515

Enrollment: 410

The school has a museum of paleontology on campus that displays the largest collection of animal footprints in North America.

Source: The Webb Schools

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Deerfield, Mass.

Total cost: $51,550

Enrollment: 646

Deerfield's boathouse, which sits on the Connecticut River, is over 5,000 square feet with 20 rowing shells and two team rooms equipped with ergs, free weights, and exercise and video equipment to support the champion crew teams.

Source: Deerfield Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Wilbraham, Mass.

Total cost: $51,610

Enrollment: 197

The school has a model trading floor where students can learn about the financial markets.

Source: Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Marion, Mass.

Total cost: $51,775

Enrollment: 351

Known as "the school by the sea," Tabor stretches along a beautiful half mile of Sippican Harbor on Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts.

Source: Tabor Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Easthampton, Mass.

Total cost: $51,800

Enrollment: 268

The school's Campus Center is the former gymnasium and now hosts a snack bar, a photo lab, and a computer room.

Source: The Williston Northampton School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Troy, N.Y.

Total cost: $51,810

Enrollment: 328

Emma Willard is celebrating its two-hundredth anniversary this year, and has invited Hillary Clinton to speak at the Bicentennial Celebration in May.

Source: Emma Willard School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Hebron, Maine

Total cost: $51,900

Enrollment: 247

Dorm mates become very close throughout the year by hosting activities like make-your-own pizza night, fine dining night, birthday celebrations, and video game competitions.

Source: Hebron Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Simsbury, Conn.

Total cost: $52,000

Enrollment: 265

The student run Student Activities Committee plans activities for weekend residents, including dances, trivia night, and hiking outings.

Source: Westminster School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Newport, R.I.

Total cost: $52,000

Enrollment: 365

Students have the opportunity to learn aboard the school's 69-foot-long marine research and sailing school vessel, the Geronimo.

Source: St. George's School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Plymouth, N.H.

Total cost: $52,000

Enrollment: 280

Aspiring artists work with and learn from professional artists-in-residence in the forms of, fused glass, photography, drawing, painting, ceramics, blacksmithing, and more.

Source: Holderness School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: North Andover, Mass.

Total cost: $52,110

Enrollment: 375

Through the school's exchange program, students can live abroad with families in Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Hungary, Scotland, Spain, France, and Peru.

Source: Brooks School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Sheffield, Mass.

Total cost: $52,150

Enrollment: 352

Berkshire recently brought back its Education with Wings program, which offers an aeronautical science course and flying lessons at a nearby airport.

Source: The Berkshire School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Blairstown, N.J.

Total cost: $52,220

Enrollment: 454

Students have the option of traveling as a part of their curriculum. In past years, students have visited Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Source: Blair Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Simsbury, Conn.

Total cost: $52,300

Enrollment: 137

Dogswood Day is the school's spirit day, where students are split into two teams—the Suns and the Dials—and compete against each other.

Source: The Ethel Walker School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Andover, N.H.

Total cost: $52,300

Enrollment: 280

The "Tao of Proctor" seeks to provide students with a balanced experience of environmental responsibility, educational programs, experiential education, and community and residential life.

Source: Proctor Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Concord, Mass.

Total cost: $52,300

Enrollment: 375

Notable alumni include Steve Carrell, Kevin Systrom, and William Hurt.

Source: Middlesex School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: New Hampton, N.H.

Total cost: $52,400

Enrollment: 305

The New Hampton School offers 49 different International Baccalaureate courses to choose from.

Source: New Hampton School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

Total cost: $52,430

Enrollment: 475 (9-12)

Masters offers a semester-long CITYterm for students to explore nearby New York City.

Source: The Masters School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Farmington, Conn.

Total cost: $52,515

Enrollment: 306

Miss Porter's was founded in 1843 by Sarah Porter, a scholar and a master of languages; she even taught herself Hebrew when she was in her 80s.

Source: Miss Porter's School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: San Anselmo, Calif.

Total cost: $52,525

Enrollment: 94

Faculty members lead kayaking trips in Baja, trips to Disneyland, and annual summer trips for groups of students to go to Bosnia.

Source: San Domenico School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Pottersville, N.J.

Total cost: $52,525

Enrollment: 103

Every meal served at the all-girls Purnell School has vegetarian and vegan options.

Source: Purnell School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Ashburnham, Mass.

Total cost: $52,600

Enrollment: 445

Students are always served good, nutritional food; even after classes, the school's snack bar, the Igloo, is open with small grab-and-go meals and made-to-order smoothies.

Source: Cushing Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Weston, Mass.

Total cost: $52,650

Enrollment: 335

Students take advantage of the 12-mile proximity to Boston through learning and social events.

Source: Cambridge School of Weston

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: McLean, Va.

Total cost: $52,710

Enrollment: 159

Every Wednesday students participate in Madeira's Co-Curriculum Program, which offers a unique leadership opportunity for each grade.

Source: The Madeira School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Bethesda, Md.

Total cost: $52,735

Enrollment: 490

While most days the boys at Georgetown Prep are required to wear navy blazers and ties, on free dress days they can wear whatever they like.

Source: Georgetown Preparatory School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Salisbury, Conn.

Total cost: $52,900

Enrollment: 292

Salisbury's student center offers a well-stocked snack bar, ping-pong and pool tables, and big screen TVs.

Source: Salisbury School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Pomfret, Conn.

Total cost: $53,025

Enrollment: 275

Most freshmen live in "freshmen circle," an area of dorms meant to provide a smaller community for first-year students.

Source: Pomfret School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Concord, Mass.

Total cost: $53,200

Enrollment: 363

Last year Concord debuted its new 13.5-acre, multimillion dollar athletic campus with soccer, lacrosse, and hockey fields, and a baseball diamond.

Source: Concord Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Avon, Conn.

Total cost: $53,350

Enrollment: 408

Avon Old Farms only serves the best food to its students: produce is local and organic whenever possible, 100 percent fruit juices are always available, and vegan and vegetarian options are served at every meal.

Source: Avon Old Farms School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Kent, Conn.

Total cost: $53,360

Enrollment: 565

Students take advantage of the campus' indoor tennis courts, a boathouse, rowing center, and stables.

Source: Kent School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Windsor, Conn.

Total cost: $53,415

Enrollment: 650

All Loomis Chaffee students plan to attend four-year colleges and universities.

Source: Loomis Chaffee

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Groton, Mass.

Total cost: $53,870

Enrollment: 372

Groton is a community committed to giving back; while community service is not required, it is expected, and the majority of students spend time as community leaders.

Source: Groton School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Mt. Hermon, Mass.

Total cost: $54,120

Enrollment: 540

The school has a farm program where they make soaps, apple cider, jelly, cheese and ice cream.

Source: Northfield Mount Hermon School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Sandy Spring, Md.

Total cost: $54,480

Enrollment: 551

The campus Community Farm supplies the school with fresh organic seasonal produce and provides students with an education in sustainable food production.

Source: Sandy Spring Friends School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Lawrenceville, N.J.

Total cost: $54,540

Enrollment: 555

The campus features 700 acres, Harry Potter-style inter-house competitions, as well as an indoor ice hockey rink and nine-hole golf course.

Source: The Lawrenceville School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Pebble Beach, Calif.

Total cost: $54,600

Enrollment: 290

KSPB, on 91.9 FM, is the school's student-run radio station that records live on-air and has as many as 1.5 million listeners.

Source: Stevenson School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Groton, Mass.

Total cost: $54,750

Enrollment: 399

Lawrence Academy has a strict anti-bullying policy to ensure that all students feel welcome and accepted.

Source: Lawrence Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Wellesley, Mass.

Total cost: $54,980

Enrollment: 356 (9-12)

Each dorm has a house director, house assistant, and student proctor to make sure the girls' needs are heard regarding all aspects of residential life.

Source: Dana Hall School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Calif.

Total cost: $55,200

Enrollment: 295

On weekends the students have dances, open-mike nights, movie screenings, pool parties, games, and competitions.

Source: Idyllwild Arts Academy

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Washington, DC

Total cost: $55,720

Enrollment: 575

St. Albans offers its own school of public service for a month each summer.

Source: St. Albans School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

Location: Portola Valley, Calif.

Total cost: $56,550

Enrollment: 371

The school has a period, called "H Block" devoted solely to independent interest clubs and activities, such as Model United Nations and Club Anime.

Source: Woodside Priory School

Methodology: Rankings are based on total cost, which includes tuition, room, board, and fees for boarding-only students in grades 9 through 12 for the 2013-2014 school year. Daytime-only schools and special-needs boarding schools were not included.

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