Posted by Boarding schools are an excellent option for students who want to experience a unique learning environment. However, the cost of tuition and other expenses can be a major barrier for many families and that’s why we, in this article, will explore the 20 most affordable boarding schools in the world.
These schools offer a high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of other boarding schools. We will provide you with information about each school’s location, tuition fees, and other relevant details.
Table of Contents
Advantages of Boarding Schools
Attending a boarding school can help students learn independence, structure their time, and grow and learn together with their peers.
Boarding schools also foster a supportive community where students can make lifelong friends.
Research has shown that boarding school students feel more prepared for college and university than their peers, and are more likely to earn more advanced degrees like a Master’s or PhD, and advance to more prominent roles in their careers and communities.
In addition, boarding schools can help students develop self-reliance and academic skills and provide a structured environment for learning and growth.
Disadvantages of Boarding Schools
Here are some of the disadvantages of boarding schools in bullet points:
- Homesickness: Being away from family and friends can be tough, especially for younger students. Homesickness can lead to anxiety, depression, and a lack of motivation.
- Expensive: Boarding schools are often expensive, and not everyone can afford them.
- Immoral Acts: There is a high rate of immoral acts in boarding schools, such as bullying and child abuse.
- Inadequate Feeding: Some boarding schools provide inadequate feeding for their students.
- Decline in Parent-Child Relationships: Children who attend boarding schools may experience a decline in their relationship with their parents.
List of the Most Affordable Boarding Schools in the World
Below is a list of the most affordable boarding schools in the world:
- Bronte College
- Red Bird Christian School
- New Mexico Military Institute
- Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pa
- Mount Michael Benedictine School
- Oakdale Christian Academy, Jackson, Ky.
- Advanced Academy of Georgia
- Sunshine Bible Academy
- Oneida Baptist Institute
- Fieldstone Academy
- College River
- Cookson Hills Christian Home
- Excelsior School, Pasadena, CA
- Lustre Christian High School, Lustre, MT
- Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie, PA
- Lancaster Royal Grammar School
- Keswick School
- Colchester Royal Grammar School
- Beechen Cliff School
- Adams’ Grammar School.
20 Most Affordable Boarding Schools in the World
1. Bronte College
- Founded: 1991
- Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bronte College is a co-educational boarding school located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1991 and offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) to grades 9 through 12.
The school’s mission is to provide students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in university and beyond. In addition to academic excellence, Bronte College also emphasizes the importance of sports and extracurricular activities in developing students’ leadership skills and character.
The monthly tuition cost at Bronte College is approximately $14,560. However, the school also provides merit scholarships to deserving students.
2. Red Bird Christian School
- Founded: 1921
- Location: 15420 Highway 66, Beverly, KY 40913
Red Bird Christian School is a private Christian residential school located in Beverly, Kentucky.
The school’s curriculum includes lessons on the Christian faith and college readiness programs. The school offers two types of boarding school applications: one for International Students and another for National/Local Students.
Red Bird Mission, a non-profit agency located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, operates the school. The mission provides educational, health, and community outreach ministries to area low-income residents.
The education ministries are carried out through a K-12 school and an early childhood development program for 3- and 4-year-old children. The school provides quality education in a loving Christian environment, empowering young people with tools that will help them escape the cycle of poverty in which they are exposed and live daily.
3. New Mexico Military Institute
- Founded: 1891
- Location: Roswell, New Mexico
New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) is a state-supported military institution located in Roswell, New Mexico.
It offers a four-year high school preparatory curriculum followed by a two-year junior college program. NMMI is the only reputable state-supported military institution among the other four military junior schools.
It is a co-educational school that provides top-notch educational opportunities, fitness, and discipline to its cadets. Extracurricular activities such as singing, writing poetry, acting, and more are also encouraged.
4. Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pa
- Founded: 1909
- Location: Pennsylvania, United States
The Milton Hershey School, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a private boarding school for students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
The school was founded in 1909 by Milton Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, and his wife Catherine Hershey. The school’s mission is to provide a top-notch education to students from low-income families.
The school offers a wide range of academic programs, including career and technical education options, to help students succeed. The school is committed to ensuring that every student can afford to attend a private school education, and that students who qualify for financial aid do not pay tuition.
The school also provides students with a safe and nurturing environment, with all costs covered, including room and board, medical care, and extracurricular activities. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 10:1.
5. Mount Michael Benedictine School
- Founded: 1953
- Location: Elkhorn, Nebraska, USA.
Mount Michael Benedictine School is a boys’ school located in Elkhorn, Nebraska, USA.
The school is known for its commitment to the Christian community. It offers a wide range of sports and extracurricular activities, including football, bowling, trap shooting, baseball, wrestling, golf, and many more activities.
The school provides excellent instruction and encourages students to develop their spiritual selves. The monthly tuition-free fee for the 2023-2024 school year is around $9,495.
6. Oakdale Christian Academy, Jackson, Ky.
- Founded: 1921
- Location: Kentucky, United States
Oakdale Christian Academy is a small Christian boarding and day school located in Jackson, Kentucky. It was established in 1921.
The school’s mission is to introduce young people to a life of purpose, through discovering a more vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. Oakdale Christian Academy is known for its nurturing yet structured environment and its thoroughly Christian worldview.
The school offers a traditional college-preparatory curriculum that provides an academic program that produces a college acceptance rate of over 100%.
Oakdale Christian Academy is a Christ-centered academic and boarding school serving boys and girls in grades 7-12.
7. Advanced Academy of Georgia
- Founded: 1995-1996 academic year
- Location: Carrollton, Georgia, United States
The Advanced Academy of Georgia is a co-educational institution located on the campus of the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.
It was established by Dr. Beheruz Sethna in the 1995-1996 academic year as a residential joint high school and early college entrance program.
The program traditionally accepted students during their high school junior and senior years, though younger students considered to be exceptionally gifted have been accepted.
The Advanced Academy did not focus on a specific discipline, and therefore required a minimum GPA, minimum SAT and ACT scores, and that its applicants be on the College Preparatory track.
8. Sunshine Bible Academy
- Founded: 1951
- Location: Miller, South Dakota
Sunshine Bible Academy is a non-denominational Christian school located in Miller, South Dakota. The school’s mission is to assist parents in raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation to build a fruitful life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to the community.
The school maintains a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:7, which allows teachers to closely supervise their students.
The school also offers interscholastic and extracurricular activities that enhance the educational quality of the students.
9. Oneida Baptist Institute
- Founded: 1899
- Location: Oneida, Kentucky.
Oneida Baptist Institute is a Christian school located in Oneida, Kentucky. It is a private, co-educational boarding school that offers education and extracurricular programs to students from kindergarten to grade 12.
The school has a diverse student body and is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. In addition to the core curriculum, Oneida Baptist Institute offers various extracurricular activities such as band, chorus, and sports including baseball, cheerleading, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and many more.
10. Fieldstone Academy
- Founded: 2004
- Location: Richfield, UT
Fieldstone Academy is a non-denominational co-educational boarding school located in the United States.
It is situated on a 12-acre campus and has a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:5, which is indicative of the school’s commitment to providing quality education.
11. College River
- Founded: 1933
- Location: Nashua, New Hampshire
College River is a co-educational school located in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada.
The school offers boarding facilities at a reasonable cost for students. The school is open to students in grades Secondary 1-5. The school’s address is 343, rue St-Jacques Nord, Coaticook, QC.
Red River College Polytechnic is a post-secondary institution located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
It offers over 150 full- and part-time programs in various fields such as business, community services, computer and information systems technology, creative arts, culinary, engineering and construction technology, health sciences, indigenous education, skilled trades, and transportation technology.
12. Cookson Hills Christian Home
- Founded: 1957
- Location: Kansas, Oklahoma
Cookson Hills is a children’s home, school, and therapy haven located in Northeast Oklahoma that has been providing a nurturing home, quality Christian education, and therapy services in a safe and trauma-informed environment since 1957.
They serve children aged 5-17 who have experienced challenges with family life, homelessness, poor peer relationships, abuse, or neglect and want to write a better story for their lives.
Cookson Hills provides a stable and loving home for kids by becoming part of a family. They move into one of their nine childcare homes with married Christian houseparents who support their educational goals and teach necessary life skills.
Cookson Hills Christian School is a trauma-informed care school for 1st – 12th grade, designed to assist at-risk children.
13. Excelsior School, Pasadena, CA
- Founded: 1986
- Location: Arcadia, California
Excelsior School is a private college preparatory school located in Pasadena, California. The school’s philosophy is to help all of its students reach their full creative and intellectual potential, which is represented by the name “Excelsior” meaning “onward and upward”.
The school achieves this by emphasizing small class sizes and individualized attention to achieve higher and faster mastery in all areas. Excelsior School was established in 1986 and currently offers grades 9-12.
The school provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to help each student find his or her path and follow it to post-high school success, whether that’s in college or the workforce.
The school offers personalized instruction that is often lacking in large public and private schools. Excelsior School also provides a strong community of support from alumni, administrators, faculty, and community members.
The school utilizes the latest technology to enhance learning and has qualified and dedicated teachers who care about students’ success.
14. Lustre Christian High School, Lustre, MT
- Founded: 1949
- Location: Lustre, Montana, United States.
Lustre Christian High School is a unique educational institution that serves as both a community Christian high school and a qualified Christian boarding school. The school is located in Lustre, Montana, United States.
LCHS is accredited by the state of Montana and is equipped to meet the needs of most high school students. The school is Christ-centered and strives to center all activities and procedures on Jesus Christ.
LCHS offers personalized instruction, small class sizes, rigorous coursework, and dedicated Christian teachers supporting student success. The school has a solid foundation of biblical truth and provides a foundation on which to stand.
The school has a total of 37 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1.
15. Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie, PA
- Founded: 1926
- Location: Erie, Pennsylvania.
Mercyhurst Preparatory School, also known as Mercyhurst Prep or MPS, is a Catholic, coeducational high school located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The school is situated behind Mercyhurst University on East Grandview Boulevard in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Mercyhurst Prep is one of the 20 most affordable boarding schools in the world.
The school participates in the International Baccalaureate program, which is a globally recognized educational program that prepares students for higher education and life beyond.
Mercyhurst Preparatory School is accredited by the Middle States Association under the Accreditation for Growth protocol. The school was reaccredited in 2010 and will remain so until November 2017.
The Middle States Association is a non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits schools in the Mid-Atlantic United States.
16. Lancaster Royal Grammar School
- Founded: 1235
- Location: Lancaster, Lancashire, England
Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) is a selective grammar school located in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. It is a day and boarding school for boys aged 11 to 18.
The school has a rich history and is one of the thirty oldest schools in the United Kingdom. The Old Lancastrians is a group of former pupils of the school.
The school has a diverse and friendly community of students and is known for its academic and sporting success. LRGS is a state school, and education is free for all pupils.
17. Keswick School
- Founded: 1591
- Location: Cumbria, UK
Keswick School is a coeducational academy located in Cumbria, UK. The school has 1360 students and offers education to students aged 11-18.
The sixth form has 309 pupils and 40 boarders. Keswick School has been designated as a training school, Leading Edge, Science Specialist, High Performance, and Gifted and Talented SSAT Consultant School in the past.
The school aims to provide a high standard of education to its students and instill in them a passion for learning and a thirst for knowledge.
18. Colchester Royal Grammar School
- Founded: 1128
- Location: Colchester, Essex.
Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS) is a state-funded grammar school located in the town of Colchester, Essex.
It was founded in 1128 and has a rich history, having received two royal charters, one from Henry VIII in 1539 and one from Elizabeth I in 1584.
The school has approximately 950 students aged 11 to 18 and is known for its science and language programs. The main facilities and playing fields of the school are located in the Lexden suburb of Colchester.
CRGS has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and consistently ranks first in national A-level league tables. The school has a selective admission process and is known for its rigorous curriculum and high academic standards.
The school offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities for students from Years 7 to 16.
The curriculum includes subjects such as art, biology, chemistry, classics, computer science, economics, English, French, geography, German, history, mathematics, music, physical education, physics, PSHE, religious studies, science in Year 7, Spanish, and technology.
19. Beechen Cliff School
- Founded: 1896
- Location: Bath, Somerset, England
Beechen Cliff School is a state day and boarding school for boys in Years 7-11 with a large, vibrant, academic mixed Sixth Form.
The school is located in Bath, Somerset, England, and has approximately 1,150 students. Its forerunner school was established in 1896.
The school has a House system where pupils are placed in year-based tutor groups within one of four Houses, which enables pupils to feel part of and contribute to their House community.
Beechen Cliff School was inspected by OFSTED in September 2023 and received a ‘Good’ rating in all areas.
This year, the school’s Progress 8 score placed it within the top 8% of schools nationally, and its Attainment 8 score also placed it in the top 8% nationally.
The school has a large range of extra-curricular opportunities and is committed to providing an exceptional, all-round education both in terms of high academic standards and an incredible range of extra-curricular opportunities.
20. Adams’ Grammar School
- Founded: 1656
- Location: Newport, Shropshire, England
Adams’ Grammar School, now known as Haberdashers’ Adams, is a selective day and boarding grammar school located in Newport, Shropshire.
The school serves boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18. The school was founded in 1656 by William Adams, a wealthy member of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London.
The school also recognizes the importance of developing a strong sense of belonging and believes in educating the whole person and teaching traditional values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these boarding schools ranked based on academic performance?
The primary focus of this list is affordability. While we briefly mention academic reputation, readers are encouraged to explore each school's academic programs and achievements individually.
How can students apply for financial aid or scholarships at these boarding schools?
Information regarding financial aid and scholarships can typically be found on the respective school's official website. We recommend contacting the school's admissions or financial aid office for specific details on the application process.
Do these boarding schools offer programs for international students?
Many of the listed schools are open to international students. However, admission policies may vary, and it's advisable to check with the schools directly for their specific requirements and processes for international applicants.
Do these boarding schools have a diverse range of programs and extracurricular activities?
Yes, many of the schools on the list offer a diverse range of academic programs, as well as a variety of extracurricular activities. Readers are encouraged to explore each school's offerings to find the best fit for their interests and goals.
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- 2023 Best Private and Public High Schools in the World.
Conclusion
To get more information about a specific boarding school on the list, we recommend visiting the official website of the respective boarding school or contacting their admissions office directly.
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