It can be just as tough to get into some of the nation’s most elite boarding schools as some top colleges—and cost just as much money.We’ve rounded up the 50 most expensive boarding schools in the U.S., looking at total costs including tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees (including one-time fees where applicable) for the 2013-2014 school year. Special needs schools and daytime-only schools were not taken into consideration for this list.
Every school on this list charges more than $50,000 a year to attend—money that goes towards living facilities, dining halls, and some fairly unbelievable perks.
The majority of these are located in the northeast, with many in Massachusetts. California also makes the list several times with a handful of expensive progressive academies.
If you think we missed a school, tell us in the comments and we’ll check it out.
#50 Trinity-Pawling School
TPCommunications via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#48 The Gunnery (tie)
Wikimedia Commons
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 GunneryMethodology: 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.
#48 St. Paul’s School (tie)
Wikipedia
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#47 Choate Rosemary Hall
Wikimedia Commons
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 HallMethodology: 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.
#46 George School
YouTube/calkinsmedia
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#45 The Hill School
TheHillSchool1851 via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#44 Mercersburg Academy
BoardingSchools via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#42 St. Andrew’s School (tie)
CabellTennis via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#42 Gould Academy (tie)
GouldAcademy via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#41 The Webb Schools
The Webb Schools
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 SchoolsMethodology: 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.
#40 Deerfield Academy
Foursquare user/ Daniel M.
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#39 Wilbraham & Monson Academy
WilbrahamMonsonAcad via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#38 Tabor Academy
BoardingSchools via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#37 The Williston Northampton School
DigitalFilmFarm via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#36 Emma Willard School
EmmaWillard via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#35 Hebron Academy
YouTube/Mike Kelly
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#32 Westminster School (tie)
BoardingSchoolsCom via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#32 St. George’s School (tie)
sgdragon372 via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#32 Holderness School (tie)
YouTube/Riggs Alosa
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#31 Brooks School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#30 The Berkshire School
Wikipedia
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#29 Blair Academy
Blair Academy
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#26 The Ethel Walker School (tie)
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#26 Proctor Academy (tie)
BoardingSchools via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#26 Middlesex School (tie)
TheMiddlesexSchool via YouTube
Location: Concord, Mass.
Total cost: $52,300
Enrollment: 375
Notable alumni include Steve Carrell, Kevin Systrom, and William Hurt.
Source: Middlesex SchoolMethodology: 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.
#25 New Hampton School
NewHamptonSchool1821 via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#24 The Masters School
Via Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#23 Miss Porter’s School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#21 San Domenico School (tie)
Courtesy of San Domenico School
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#21 Purnell School (tie)
PurnellSchool via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#20 Cushing Academy
CushingAcademy via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#19 Cambridge School of Weston
YouTube/WeAreCSW
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 WestonMethodology: 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.
#18 The Madeira School
Via Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#17 Georgetown Preparatory School
GpAdmissions via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#16 Salisbury School
SalisburyKnights via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#15 Pomfret School
BoardingSchools via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#14 Concord Academy
Wikimedia Commons
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#13 Avon Old Farms School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#12 Kent School
Kent School
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#11 Loomis Chaffee
Loomis Chaffee
Location: Windsor, Conn.
Total cost: $53,415
Enrollment: 650
All Loomis Chaffee students plan to attend four-year colleges and universities.
Source: Loomis ChaffeeMethodology: 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.
#10 Groton School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#9 Northfield Mount Hermon School
nmhschool via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#8 Sandy Spring Friends School
Via Flickr
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#7 The Lawrenceville School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#6 Stevenson School
Screenshot Via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#5 Lawrence Academy
Flickr/Bill Brine
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#4 Dana Hall School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#3 Idyllwild Arts Academy
idyllwildartsacademy via YouTube
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 AcademyMethodology: 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.
#2 St. Albans School
Wikimedia Commons
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
#1 Woodside Priory School
Screenshot Via YouTube
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 SchoolMethodology: 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.
