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There are lots of boarding schools in California, which makes it hard to pick the best boarding school in California for your child.
But with the help of our research, we are able to find the best boarding schools in California due to the environment, facilities, and academic structure.
Boarding schools in California are a secure environment for kids, as they groom and expose children to all-around learning, thus equipping them for the future.
Aside from the fact that your kids will get the best education academically, California boarding schools expose children to sufficient extracurricular activities.
You sure know the benefits.
Why Should You Choose a Boarding School in California?
Ideally, boarding schools offer children a secure environment in which to exercise greater control and freedom over their lives and activities.
This is because the idea of leaving home early is to help the child acquire a sense of independence, create new friendships, and concentrate more on all-around learning.
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The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) reports that 87% of boarding school students report being very well prepared for college academically, which is a greater percentage than those who attend private day or public schools.
Now that you know why California is an ideal location for students, let’s take a look at the best boarding schools in California.
Best Boarding Schools In California
The most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area houses 25 top college-prep and junior boarding schools located throughout California, serving 7,759 students.
Therefore, parents who are looking for unique educational opportunities for their children in California, are on the right page.
These schools were selected based on the following ranking factors;
The student-to-teacher ratio – This represents the number of students assigned to a teacher. It is agreed that a smaller class size enhances learning.
Accreditation – This accreditation status of a school ensures that the school is authorized to function.
Acceptance rate – The acceptance rate of a boarding school in NC shows the percentage of students the school admits yearly.
1. Amerigo Los Angeles, Bishop Montgomery High School
Securing the first spot on our list of best boarding schools in California, Amerigo is a private boarding school in Southern California that provides students with an incredible opportunity to get a world-class education in Los Angeles, a city known for its natural beauty and thriving culture.
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At Amerigo Los Angeles, students have access to rigorous academics, robust extracurriculars, and a supportive environment, all while enjoying the incredible natural beauty and unique cultural opportunities of Los Angeles.
With opportunities for students in both Middle School and High School, students are prepared for a bright future.
The Co-ed school offers grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 1:7.
This boarding school in California holds accreditation from; the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA).
2. Amerigo Napa Valley Justin-Siena High School
Justin-Siena is a Catholic high school in the Lasallian tradition that provides educational excellence in a loving, Christ-centered community that prepares students to serve and lead in an ever-changing world.
Situated just outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, Amerigo Napa Valley blends a rigorous academic program with a scenic, supportive environment.
Students who attend Justin-Siena High School take advantage of an encompassing college-preparatory curriculum intended to train students for competitive colleges and universities.
Under the guidance of our experienced campus teams, students in the Amerigo program profit from a residential and social atmosphere designed to aid their development and support them as they achieve their goals.
Students live in state-of-the-art facilities with professional dorm parents on-site and experience a good number of weekend activities, including sports and recreational activities, off-site excursions and immersion trips, community service, and various American cultural celebrations.
With a 57% acceptance rate, the Co-ed school offers grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 1:7.
The boarding school in California holds accreditation from; the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA).
3. Amerigo San Francisco Saint Patrick-Saint Vincent Catholic High School
Founded in the traditions of the Dominican Sisters and the Congregation of Christian Brothers, Saint Patrick-Saint Vincent Catholic High School instills academic excellence in the minds of its students.
Students at SPSV find the academic challenges they are looking for; 99% of them will attend college.
All educational programs are rigorous and demand that each student thinks, learns, and performs at the highest possible level.
Furthermore, students deepen and expand their classroom learning through student clubs for art, music, French and Spanish, science, speech, sports medicine, and other fields.
SPSV students also enjoy an innovative school-wide leadership program.
In addition, SPSV is currently carrying out a multi-year technology plan including new classroom technology, a new wireless infrastructure, the introduction of a 1:1 iPad program for students, and extended communication with our families via e-mail and e-news.
Families will also have prompt access to student progress using our online grading program.
The Co-ed school offers grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 1:7. The boarding school in California holds accreditation from; National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
4. Woodside Priory School
Other than the Amerigo high schools, Woodside Priory school is one of the best boarding schools in California.
Woodside Priory School was established in 1957 by a group of seven Hungarian Benedictine monks from Saint Martin’s Archabbey.
It is the only co-ed Benedictine College Preparatory boarding school in California! With an outstanding faculty and a rigorous college-prep curriculum, Woodside set the stage for a balanced educational adventure.
With an average small class with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students get to engage deeply in intellectual discussions with their well-qualified teachers. ]
The school’s acceptance rate is 57%.
It holds accreditation from; the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Catholic Education Association (WECA), and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
5. Army and Navy Academy
This boarding school in southern California is an all-boys military school that encourages and shapes boys to be their best.
Their core curriculum is based on the University of California’s entrance requirements and their college-preparatory curriculum includes Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses.
Academics extend beyond the classroom. Teachers are available for tutoring immediately after classes end and in the evenings during study hall.
They also coach or supervise sports and clubs, so they get to know students outside of the classroom.
With a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, their students get the best of their knowledge and go on to succeed in any endeavor.
The all-boys Co-ed school offers grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It maintains a 57% acceptance rate.
The boarding school in California holds accreditation from; National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
6. The Athenian School
Located on 75 beautiful acres at the base of Mt. Diablo, Athenian is the San Francisco Bay Area’s only nonsectarian school with a high school boarding program.
The Athenian School prepares students for the rigorous expectations of college and for a life of purpose and personal fulfillment.
Additionally, they cultivate the personal features of each student to become an integrated human being with integrity, strong moral character, and physical well-being.
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Athenian boarding school in California is a place where you’ll get to know yourself well, including how you prioritize, collaborate, and handle responsibility.
With 25 teachers, their families, and pets living on campus (more than 70 people), a little guidance is always available.
Living with a diverse group of peers from about 20 countries, you will gain group living skills while learning about other cultures and customs.
Someone to help with homework or play soccer on the field is never far away.
With a 57% acceptance rate, the Co-ed school offers grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 1:7.
7. Besant Hill School
Besant Hill School is a small boarding school in Southern California. A small size committed faculty and staff, and the beautiful location in the Ojai Valley make Besant Hill School a wonderful place to study for students from around the globe.
Besant Hill School is more than just a school, they foster a culture of caring, learning, and empowerment.
Besant Hill School is an environment where teens can grow efficiently. Here, students are urged to take what they learn and integrate new knowledge about the problems they are facing.
Besant Hill School students gain lifelong skills that allow them to adapt to change and new learning.
With a 99% acceptance rate and 1:4 faculty-to-student ratio, Besant Hill school enrolls a total number of 100 students spread across 13 states in the U.S. and 17 countries in the world.
Besant Hill School of Happy Valley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
8. Cate School
Cate School is one of the best boardings school in California merges the academic rigidity of East Coast prep schools with the adventurous spirit of the West Coast.
The college-preparatory boarding school in California offers students an exclusive boarding school experience.
In freshman and sophomore years, you will develop fundamental skills, taking courses in English, history, humanities, art, math, science, foreign language, and human development.
Then you get to choose from more than 35 elective courses to explore your personal interests and pursue greater mastery of a subject.
With a 57% acceptance rate, and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the Co-ed school has a total number of 320 students.
Cate School holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
9. Dunn School
Founded in 1957, Dunn School is an independent boarding school in Southern California.
The mission of the Dunn School community is to educate the whole student to his or her fullest potential in preparation for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society.
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Dunn School is a caring community of teachers and learners, with a focused approach to whole-student development — all in a beautiful and safe setting in northern Santa Barbara County.
The activities of Dunn Middle School aim at preparing students for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society.
With a 57% acceptance rate and a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the Co-ed boarding school admits students from grades 6-12.
10. Santa Catalina
As the last on our list of best boarding schools in California, Santa Catalina School is a top-rated, private, boarding, all-girls, Catholic school located in Monterey, CA.
The school challenges students to achieve excellence in every arena, from excellent academics — including a marine ecology program that takes advantage of access to Monterey Bay — to competitive athletics in 12 sports to an arts program with professional-quality facilities.
Boarding at Santa Catalina is filled with new experiences, with unique opportunities that our students make their own. They learn life skills with values that are only really learned by living in a community.
Santa Catalina has 216 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. After graduation, 100% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college.
Are Boarding Schools In California Open to International Students?
With over 25 boarding schools in California, international students make up about 15% of the population of these best boarding schools in California.
Boarding schools in California provide exceptional opportunities that help to deepen cultural understanding and build global friendships.
They provide a conducive environment where international students fit in well.
Furthermore, ESL (English as a Second Language) classes taught in boarding schools also help international students learn English more quickly.
ESL courses are meant to improve an international student’s speaking, reading, and writing ability.
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In a nutshell, boarding schools in California don’t just avail international students of learning opportunities, they make expose them to people of different religious, geographic, and linguistic backgrounds.
How Much Does Boarding School Cost In California?
If you’re a parent looking at boarding school options for your child, you’ve probably noticed that picking a school is more than an education decision – it’s also a financial one.
Paying for boarding school is a big expenditure involving financial preparation and consideration of return on investment.
However, in some of the best boarding school in California educational cost ranges from $35,000 to $60,000 per year.
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