Most Selective Boarding Schools

Among "All Schools", view the boarding schools with the lowest acceptance rates (2024-25).

Acceptance rates listed below reflect the average rate of acceptance for all applicants (boarding and day applicants) in the previous year.

Keep in mind that acceptance rates may be lower or higher than the average acceptance rate depending on: what grade you are applying for, whether you are a boarding applicant or day student applicant, and the time of year you are applying.

Schools typically have the most openings for freshmen and sophomores (many schools do not accept incoming seniors), so applying for entrance into 9th or 10th grade may improve your chances of admission.

Acceptance rates between boarding applicants and day student applicants may differ (i.e., schools in certain areas may a higher ratio of day student applicants to day student openings, versus boarding applicants to boarding openings; the acceptance rate of some schools will actually be lower for day applicants and higher for boarding applicants).

Many, but not all, schools will accept applications after application deadlines, but admission generally becomes more difficult.

Berkshire School Photo - Founded in 1907, Berkshire School is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school for 425 ninth-12th graders and post-graduates, offering a forward-thinking curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities on a 400-acre campus in Sheffield, Mass.

Brooks School Photo - Come visit our beautiful 251 acre campus located on the shores of Lake Cochichewick.

The Governor's Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy) Photo - Beautiful Setting: A 456-acre campus with extensive facilities for academics, athletics, and visual and performing arts.

The Greenwood School Photo - "Makers of Vermont" is a signature program at The Greenwood School in VT, where students learn to craft metal objects and tools in our blacksmith's forge.

The Hill School Photo - All students are required to attend sit-down family-style meals together in the Dining Room for lunch, and boarding students attend seated dinners several nights a week. Faculty members and their families join the students in a relaxed, yet formal atmosphere, where they enjoy interaction with one another outside of the classroom.

Lawrenceville School Photo - Tsai Field House opened in 2024 as a Community Hub and includes dining, recreation, and athletics. Photo: Jeremy Bittermann

Loomis Chaffee Photo - Collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication - four competencies in which all Loomis students become skilled practitioners.

Middlesex School Photo - The Dining Hall at lunchtime

Milton Academy Photo - Milton Academy is only eight miles from Boston's museums, schools and attractions, but it has the benefits of a 130-acre New England campus-with green quads and lots of fall foliage.

Phillips Academy Andover Photo - The quintessential New England campus is 21 miles to Boston by car or train, and a 10 minute walk to downtown Andover.

St. Andrew's School, DE Photo - Our 2100 acre campus is located in Middletown, DE just a short drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

St. George's School Photo - Seaside Campus overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

St. Paul's School Photo - Faculty and students at dinner

The Taft School Photo - More than a century has passed since Mr. Taft founded our school. While the world and the school have changed dramatically, his fundamental values endure: work hard, without regard for public acclaim; develop all your talents: academic, artistic, and athletic; and most importantly, give of yourself to others.

The Thacher School Photo - In courses designed for intellectual and creative expansion, students and teachers meet in seminar circles, studios, and laboratories to create a learning environment that is vigorous and supportive, galvanizing and nurturing.

Acceptance Rate Range: 12% 68% Avg. Acceptance Rate: 40%

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