Boarding school

A boarding school is a place where students live and learn together. The term "boarding" means the school provides rooms and meals for the students. These schools have been around for many years and can be found in many countries around the world. Students at boarding schools call themselves boarders if they live at the school all the time, or day pupils if they go home in the evenings.

Dollar Academy, a boarding school in Scotland

Students can stay at a boarding school for anywhere from one year to more than twelve years. Some students go home every weekend, some every term, and others only at the end of the school year. In some places, like the United Kingdom, India, China, and parts of Africa, boarding schools are quite common and often start at a very young age. In other places, like parts of Europe and the United States, boarding schools are usually for older students, often in their high school years.

Boarding schools can be for boys, for girls, or for both. Some of these schools are very famous and have educated important leaders. However, in some cases, boarding schools have been used in ways that were not fair or kind to certain groups of children. For example, in the past, some schools in the United States and Canada were used to change the ways of life for indigenous children. Today, there are many different kinds of boarding schools, including those that help students with special needs, or that focus on strict discipline, or even offer special kinds of learning like democratic education.

Description

Typical characteristics

The term boarding school often refers to classic British boarding schools and many boarding schools around the world which are modeled on these.

Boarding house of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, New South Wales

House system

Main article: House system

A typical boarding school has several separate residential houses, either within the school grounds or in the surrounding area.

Dormitory at The Armidale School, Australia, 1898

A number of senior teaching staff are appointed as housemasters, housemistresses, dorm parents, prefects, or residential advisors, each of whom takes quasi-parental responsibility (in loco parentis) for anywhere from 5 to 50 students resident in their house or dormitory at all times but particularly outside school hours. Houses usually include study-bedrooms or dormitories, a dining room or refectory where students take meals at fixed times, a library and possibly study carrels where students can do their homework. Houses may also have common rooms for television and relaxation and kitchens for snacks.

Most school dormitories have set bedtimes, depending on students' ages. These rules may be hard to follow, as students might try to stay up late using laptops or visiting friends' rooms.

Other facilities

Schloss Torgelow, a Gymnasium boarding school in Germany, that leads to the Abitur exams

Boarding schools often have many facilities for activities outside of regular lessons, such as music rooms, gymnasiums, sports fields, boats, and swimming pools. Many are located in beautiful rural areas with a mix of modern and old buildings.

Food quality varies, but most boarding schools offer many menu choices to suit different dietary needs. Students can usually eat with friends and teachers. Boarding schools also have infirmaries for basic medical care.

Time

Traveling boarding schools, like THINK Global School, partner with an IB school in each country they visit.

Students usually need permission to leave the school grounds. Boarding schools may offer full-time, weekly (Monday to Friday), or flexible boarding options.

British boarding schools have three terms a year, each about twelve weeks long, with short breaks in between. Some students live close to their families and visit them often.

Other forms of boarding schools

Boarding schools are residential schools; however, not all residential schools are "classic" boarding schools. Other forms of residential schools include:

Therapeutic boarding schools that combine therapy and education for students with emotional or behavioral challenges.
Traveling boarding schools, such as Think Global School, that move to a new city each term.
Sailing boarding schools, such as A+ World Academy, that sail around the world while providing education.
Outdoor boarding schools that teach independence through outdoor activities.
Residential education programs for at-risk children.
Residential schools for students with special educational needs.
Semester schools offering a short residential experience focused on a specific subject.
Specialist schools focused on areas like science or arts.
The Israeli youth villages, where children live and learn together but keep in touch with their families.
Public boarding schools, which are rare today but still exist in some places.
Ranch school, common in the western U.S., that combine school with ranch life.

Applicable regulations

In the U.K., most boarding schools are independent schools, not following the national curriculum. However, they must meet health and safety rules, such as having enough space for each student to live comfortably. For example, each student needs a certain amount of floor space in their dormitory or bedroom.

History

Boarding schools appear differently across various societies. In some places, children start attending them at an earlier age than in others. In certain cultures, families have a long tradition of sending their children to the same boarding school for generations. One global observation is that more boys than girls attend boarding schools, often for longer periods.

The idea of sending children, especially boys, to live and learn together at other families' homes or schools has very old roots. Records of this practice go back more than 1,000 years and are mentioned in classical literature and ancient U.K. documents.

In Europe, early medieval times saw boys being sent to learn from literate clergymen in monasteries or noble households. One of the oldest boarding schools, The King's School, Canterbury, dates back to around 597 AD. Other historic schools include Winchester College, founded in 1382, and Oswestry School, founded in 1407.

United Kingdom

Boarding schools in Britain began in medieval times when boys were educated by clergymen in monasteries or noble homes. By the 12th century, the Pope directed monasteries to provide charity schools, and many public schools began as these schools gained popularity. These schools were influenced by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and were mostly run by clergymen until the 19th century. Over time, it became more common for children of all ranks to be educated together, adapting to social changes over a thousand years.

Boarding preparatory schools often have ties to the public schools they prepare students for. During the British Empire's expansion, boarding schools played a role in teaching British culture to both local rulers and children of British officials living abroad. These schools helped spread British values and ideals.

Charterhouse School

One reason families choose boarding schools is to give children broader experiences beyond what their family can offer. Attending a school with a long family history may shape the culture parents hope for their children. Selecting a well-known boarding school can also help children mix with those from upper classes. However, these stated reasons may hide other motivations, such as dealing with disobedient or underachieving children, or families where parents have difficulty relating to their children. These reasons are rarely spoken about openly.

In 1998, there were 772 private-sector boarding schools in the United Kingdom with over 100,000 children attending them. Boarding schools remain an important part of the British class system. About one percent of British children attend boarding schools, including some as young as 5 to 9 years old.

United States

Before public education became widespread in the United States, boarding schools were often the only option for secondary education in rural New England areas. Some states, like Massachusetts, supported semi-public boarding schools, known as "academies," to serve students from nearby rural regions. Some of the oldest academies still operating include West Nottingham Academy (founded in 1744), Linden Hall (1756), The Governor's Academy (1763), Phillips Academy (1778), and Phillips Exeter Academy (1781).

As local governments began creating free public high schools, the need for these academies lessened, and some joined the public school system while others closed. In the early 1900s, a new wave of boarding schools emerged, modeled after British public schools, focusing on preparing students aged 14 to 18 for college exams. These were called "prep schools," though many only enrolled day students. By the early 2000s, about 0.5% of U.S. school children attended boarding schools.

Recently, some governments have opened public boarding schools. Some offer extra resources for high-achieving students, like the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (founded in 1980). Others support students from challenging backgrounds.

Junior boarding schools for children under 13 are uncommon. The oldest is the Fay School in Southborough, Massachusetts (founded in 1866).

Phillips Academy Andover, MA

Native American schools

Main article: Native American boarding schools

In the late 19th century, the U.S. government established boarding schools to teach Native American youth the ways of Western culture, helping them assimilate into society. These schools separated boys and girls and taught them gender roles based on Victorian ideals. Boys learned farming and livestock care, while girls were taught household skills like sewing and cooking. These roles differed greatly from those in many Native communities, where women often held significant power and responsibilities.

Though some Native children adopted these new ideals, many resisted the imposed gender norms.

Canada

Further information: Canadian Indian residential school system

Students at Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Pennsylvania (c. 1900)

In Canada, the largest independent boarding school is Columbia International College, with 1,700 students from around the world. Robert Land Academy in Wellandport, Ontario, is Canada’s only private military-style boarding school for boys in Grades 6 through 12.

Other Commonwealth countries

Most countries do not prefer boarding schools for raising children. However, some former British colonies, like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and other African nations, view boarding schools as a desirable education option. In countries such as New Zealand and Sri Lanka, some state schools offer boarding, often with fewer boarders than independent schools.

Malaysia

Main articles: The International School of Penang (Uplands), Dalat International School, Marlborough College Malaysia, Sekolah Berasrama Penuh, and MARA Junior Science College

Russia and former Soviet Union

In the former Soviet Union, boarding schools were known as Internat-schools. Some focused on specific fields like mathematics or sports. Others were linked to orphanages. General schools also offered extended stay programs with affordable meals for children who couldn’t return home early. Today, boarding schools vary across post-Soviet countries.

Columbia International College, Hamilton, Ontario

Switzerland

The Swiss government encourages private boarding schools for international students as part of its economy. These schools teach major languages and boast high-quality facilities. Some of the world’s most expensive boarding schools are in Switzerland, including Institut auf dem Rosenberg, Institut Le Rosey, Beau Soleil, Collège du Léman, Collège Champittet, and Leysin American School.

Japan

In Japan, several international boarding schools operate privately. Examples include NUCB International College and Hallow International School. These schools follow curricula such as the IB (International Baccalaureate) and use English as the main language of instruction.

China

As of 2015, there were about 100,000 boarding schools in rural areas of Mainland China, housing around 33 million children. Many children are sent to boarding schools at age 2. Most of these schools are located in western China, which is generally less wealthy than the eastern and central regions. Many migrant workers and farmers enroll their children in these schools.

India

In India, boarding schools are run by both private companies and government bodies. Notable government-run examples include Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Ekalavya Model Residential School, and Ashram Schools. These schools follow educational boards such as CBSE, ICSE, IB, NIOS, and AISSCE, and mainly use English for teaching.

Sociological issues

Some elite university-preparatory boarding schools for students aged 13 to 18 are seen as places where young people learn to fit into important social groups. Families who value power and hierarchy often choose these schools, hoping their children will grow up to hold positions of influence.

Boarding schools can create a network among students from similar backgrounds. Many of these students later become leaders in politics or finance. The way students are taught at these schools can make them feel they are meant to lead and control others. This teaching style continues to affect students even after they leave school, shaping how they see the world and their place in it. Some believe this style of teaching can create leaders who support unfair treatment and harmful ideas about society.

Psychological issues

Boarding schools can create unique challenges for students. Living, studying, and socializing in one place all the time can lead to stress and pressure. Some students may feel very competitive or use substances to cope, and others might experience sadness or emotional difficulties.

When children are sent away to boarding school, they may feel separated from their families and familiar surroundings. This separation can cause feelings of missing home and not fitting in. Some children grow up feeling different from others because of this experience. Experts have studied how being away from home at a young age can affect a person's feelings and relationships later in life.

In popular culture

Further information: School story

Books

Boarding schools have been popular settings in stories for a long time, especially in British literature. These stories often follow young characters who sometimes break school rules for good reasons and face consequences, but they usually don’t rebel against the whole school system.

Many well-known books feature boarding schools, such as: