If you’re considering a boarding school for your daughter, you’ve probably already asked yourself a few questions: Will she be safe? What will she eat? How will she study?
The answers to those questions depend on the type of school that’s right for your daughter.
In this post, we’ll explore boarding schools for girls and explain how they differ from day schools.
We’ll also cover some common FAQs about these schools so that you can make an informed decision when choosing one for your child.
Overview of the Female Education
Girls’ education is important, and not just because girls need more opportunities to go to school.
It’s also about developing the whole child: academically, socially, and emotionally.
Girls’ education helps them prepare for the future—and when we say “the future,” we mean today’s world.
Our top thirty boarding schools for girls offer unique opportunities on every level—academics and extracurricular activities; personal growth; leadership development; service learning experiences; athletic competition with other schools in the area or around the globe; cultural exploration; travel abroad; internships in fields such as medicine or law or business administration, etc.
These schools will give you a leg up in whatever career path you choose after graduation.
Boarding Schools vs. Day Schools
There are two main types of schools: boarding and day. Boarding schools offer a more traditional and independent education, while day schools offer a more structured environment.
Boarding school tuition is usually higher than in-state tuition for public high schools, but it’s often less than private college tuition.
Boarding school students typically live in dormitories with other students from their grade level and gender.
They also have access to teachers during the school day and after-school activities like sports or clubs after dinner, which can last until 9 pm or later.
On the other hand, day school students go home every night—they don’t live on campus at all.
Because there aren’t any residential facilities at day schools, they’re not allowed to stay overnight if they want to.
Generally, the argument between parents has been which school type is better: boarding or day school?
In our research, we have found both school types to be great. As a parent, you should just try to understand what school system will be great for your child.
The following are 30 of the best boarding schools for girls in different parts of the world. These boarding schools are generally considered elite schools.
Let’s dive in.
Academy of the Holy Family
Location: Connecticut, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Catholic.
Number of Students: 40.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
The Academy of the Holy Family is located in Baltic, Connecticut. It is a catholic school that is highly regarded for its excellent education and moral ethics. The school is an elite school in the U.S. and according to multiple rankings, it is one of the best boarding schools for girls.
Pros
- The school is located in a beautiful, rural setting that is conducive to learning.
- The staff is professional, caring, and experienced.
- Academy of the Holy Family offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities for students to participate in.
Cons
- It may be expensive for some parents to afford.
Tuition: US$32,500 per year.
Branksome Hall
Location: Toronto, Canada.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent school.
Number of Students: 900.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 7 -12.
Branksome Hall has been ranked as one of the best schools in the country by numerous outlets. In addition to academic excellence, Branksome Hall also offers an array of extracurricular activities such as drama clubs, sports teams, and music groups.
They also have an eco-friendly campus and use renewable energy sources to power their facilities.
The only downside to Branksome Hall is that it’s very expensive—tuition fees are currently over $30,000 per year.
But if you can afford it and want your daughter to get top-notch education with plenty of opportunities for fun outside the classroom too then this could be just what you’re looking for.
Tuition: CA$37,130.
Branksome Hall Asia
Location: Seogwipo, South Korea.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent school.
Number of Students: 1,000.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 5 -12.
Branksome Hall Asia is a boarding school for girls located in South Korea The school was founded and is part of the Branksome Hall group.
The school offers boarding and day programs for students aged 5-18 years old. The curriculum is broad but focuses on the arts and sciences, with an emphasis on self-development and global citizenship.
Pros
- Branksome Hall Asia is a boarding school, so parents don’t have to worry about their kids being picked up by strangers.
- They offer a wide range of activities for students, which encourages them to explore their interests and build confidence.
- The school offers an extensive arts program, including music and dance classes. This helps your child develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Cons
- The cost of tuition is high compared with other schools in the area.
Tuition: ₩37,551,797 (Korean Won) per year.
Buffalo Seminary
Location: New York, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Private, Independent school.
Number of Students: 160.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
Buffalo Seminary is a boarding school that offers a wide range of subjects, including history and Latin. The school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it has a large campus with plenty of trees and green space.
The pros of this school include:
- Students are encouraged to be involved in community service projects.
- The teachers are very approachable and helpful.
- There is an abundance of extracurricular activities for students to participate in.
The cons to this school include:
- It’s a costly school (tuition alone can be $40,000 per year).
Tuition: US$55,690 per year.
Chatham Hall
Location: Virginia, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Episcopal.
Number of Students: 800.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
Chatham Hall is a boarding school for girls located in Virginia. It has been around since 1894 and is the only all-girls boarding school in the state.
The school offers an impressive list of extracurricular activities that include everything from ice skating to sailing to horseback riding.
Chatham Hall is a great option for parents who want their children to be surrounded by other girls who share similar values and interests.
Like with most other boarding schools on this list, the biggest drawback of this school is its cost: tuition at Chatham Hall can cost up to $58,500 per year.
However, it does offer financial aid options and merit scholarships so that families who might not otherwise be able to afford the tuition may still be able to send their child here without breaking the bank.
Tuition: US$58,500 per year.
Dana Hall School
Location: Massachusetts, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent school.
Number of Students: 481.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
Dana Hall School is a boarding school for girls in grades 9-12. It has a nearly 100 percent college acceptance rate and boasts an impressive 6:1 student-faculty ratio.
The school is located on a beautiful campus in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and offers students the chance to learn about their passions in one of the school’s many academic programs.
The pros:
- Students have access to all of the amenities that come with being on a college campus. These include an indoor pool, fitness center, library, and sports facilities.
- The school is located just outside Boston which makes it easy for students to travel into the city for field trips or other activities.
- Dana Hall School offers small class sizes with a low student-to-teacher ratio so that each student gets the attention they need from their teachers as well as time to explore their interests in different fields through electives classes like art or music classes.
- There are many opportunities for students to participate in fun activities outside of class such as sports teams or clubs where students can volunteer locally or participate in service projects around the world.
Tuition: About US$55,000 per year.
Emma Willard School
Location: New York, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Private boarding school.
Number of Students: 355.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
The Emma Willard School is a girls’ boarding school in Troy, New York. It’s a top-ranked private academy that offers a rigorous, classical curriculum, with coursework in Latin and Greek.
In addition to the traditional academic coursework, students are also required to take part in athletics and other extracurriculars—something we think makes for a balanced experience.
The school has a reputation for being well-rounded, but it can be rigorous for parents who want their kids to focus on academics.
At this school, kids feel challenged by the workload, but not overwhelmed or underprepared for college.
Tuition: US$67,270 per year.
The Ethel Walker School
Location: Connecticut, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Elite private school.
Number of Students: 236.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 7 -12.
Ethel Walker School is a boarding school in Middlebury, Vermont. It’s one of the most prestigious schools in the country, with an annual cost of $68,950 (not including room and board).
The school offers a rigorous academic program that emphasizes writing and critical thinking, which helps students develop skills they’ll use throughout their lives.
They also offer a number of extra-curricular activities, including sports teams and award-winning music programs.
The Ethel Walker School is equally known for its elite status for being a school for the wealthy; the proof is seen in the numerous wealthy families like the Rockefellers and the late Ethel du Pont, who attended this school.
Some cons include:
- It is very expensive. The tuition alone is $68,950 per year (not including room and board), so you have to be able to afford it before you even think about applying. For international students, the tuition cost is over US$71,000.
In essence, it is safe to say that only the rich may be able to afford this school.
Tuition: US$68,950 per year.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Location: Washington, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Catholic.
Number of Students: 300.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 8 -12.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a private, Catholic boarding school for girls located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has been in operation since 1907 and is one of the oldest schools in the area.
The school has a large campus that includes a variety of buildings for different purposes, including dormitories, classrooms, and administrative offices. There is also a gymnasium where students can participate in sports such as volleyball and basketball.
Students have access to an extensive library with over 20,000 books. The library also provides computers so that students can do research or work on projects.
Forest Ridge offers a wide range of courses including drama classes and art lessons as well as academic courses such as mathematics and science classes.
Students can take elective courses such as music lessons or foreign language classes depending on their interests.
Tuition: US$62,700 per year (5-day program).
Foxcroft School
Location: Virginia, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent school.
Number of Students: 160.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
Foxcroft School is a boarding school for girls in grades nine through twelve. It’s located in Middleburg, Virginia.
The pros and cons of sending your daughter to Foxcroft are:
Pros
- It’s a private school, which means your daughter will get extra attention from teachers and administrators if she needs it.
- The curriculum is designed specifically for girls who are interested in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math). The school also has a strong focus on art and music education.
- Students who go on to college say they’ve developed strong relationships with their peers at Foxcroft because of the close quarters they live in while attending the school.
- The teachers are highly qualified, and the students get individual attention from them.
Cons:
- The location is far from any major city, which means that you will have to travel a long way to visit your child during holidays or weekends.
Tuition: US$49,400 per year.
Garrison Forest School
Location: Maryland, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Non-denominational, private.
Number of Students: 548.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 8 -12.
The primary benefit of Garrison Forest School is that it helps students become more well-rounded individuals by encouraging them to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs.
This can be especially beneficial for students who are not interested in sports or other typical extracurricular activities.
The school also offers a wide range of activities for students who are interested in sports, including soccer, basketball, field hockey, cross-country running, lacrosse, volleyball, and more.
Another benefit of this school is that it encourages its students to be involved in community service projects outside of their regular classwork.
Students have opportunities to participate in projects such as feeding the homeless or helping out at animal shelters.
However, some parents may find that the location of this school is not ideal for them because it’s far from major cities like Washington D.C., Baltimore, or New York City.
Tuition: US$65,790 per year.
Grier School
Location: Pennsylvania, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent, college preparatory school.
Number of Students: 275.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 7 -12.
Grier School is a boarding school for students between the ages of 14 and 18. It offers an immersive, academic experience in which students can thrive.
Pros:
- Students are given a wide range of opportunities to learn about their interests, including study abroad programs and internships.
- The school’s location in the mountains provides opportunities for outdoor activities like skiing and hiking.
- The school has a student population that is diverse in terms of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
Cons:
- Grier is located far from most major cities, so it may be difficult for some parents to visit their children regularly.
Tuition: US$59,900.
Linden Hall
Location: Pennsylvania, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Private school.
Number of Students: N/A.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 6 -12.
At Linden Hall, Students are encouraged to develop their passions and interests in a friendly, supportive environment where they can flourish.
The school offers an extensive range of courses and activities to help students achieve their academic, social, and emotional goals.
The pros of attending Linden Hall include:
- The small class sizes mean that teachers have plenty of time to get to know each student and provide personalized attention.
- The low student-to-teacher ratio ensures that students receive the individualized attention they need to thrive academically and socially.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in over 100 clubs or activities, ranging from drama club to debate team.
- Students have access to all fields of study, including STEM subjects such as physics and chemistry.
Tuition: US$53,354 per year (5-day boarding students); US$62,696 per year (7-day boarding students).
The Madeira School
Location: Virginia, USA.
School Type/Affiliation: Private school.
Number of Students: 330.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
The Madeira School is a boarding school for girls in grades 9-12. The school is located in McLean, Virginia, and it was founded in 1925. It has about 330 students and over 30 faculty members.
The school offers a challenging academic program that will prepare students for college and beyond. Students who attend The Madeira School will have many opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports teams and clubs. Students can also take advantage of the school’s extensive study abroad program.
Tuition: US$52,710 per year.
Trafalgar Castle School
Location: Whitby, Canada.
School Type/Affiliation: Independent day and boarding school.
Number of Students: 240.
Who is it For? Girls in Grade 9 -12.
Trafalgar Castle School is a private boarding school located in Ontario, Canada. It offers students the chance to live on campus and attend classes at their own pace,
The school has been around since 1874, and its students come from around the world. The curriculum is based on a British model, meaning that students are taught in English with some French instruction available as well.
Trafalgar Castle School has a boarding program for both boys and girls from grades 9 through 12; however, it also has day options for children up to grade 6 as well as a summer camp for younger kids who want to get started early.
Tuition: CA$64,550 per year.
Honorable Mentions
The following boarding schools for girls are more examples of excellent schools in the world where you can send your daughter, and be assured of the education quality they will receive.
Note that you access all the schools on this table by clicking on the name of these schools to continue your research.
Here is all the information at a glance.
| Boarding Schools for Girls | School Type | Location | Tuition fee/year |
| Miss Hall’s School | Selective independent school | Massachusetts, USA | US$60,600 |
| Miss Porter’s School | Private college prep school | Connecticut, USA | US$68,725 |
| Oilfields School | Independent school | Maryland, USA | US$64,150 |
| St.Margaret’s School | Episcopal School | Virginia, USA | US$55,800 – US$60,700 |
| Saint Mary’s School | Episcopal School | North Carolina, USA | US$62,850 |
| St. Timothy’s School | Episcopal School | Maryland, USA | US$62,400 |
| Santa Catalina School | Catholic school | California, USA | US$64,000 |
| Stoneleigh-Burnham School | Independent day and boarding school | Massachusetts, USA | US$47,150 – US$53,550 |
| Westover School | Independent college-prep school | Connecticut, USA | US$67,670 |
| The Bishop Strachan School | Anglican day and boarding school | Ontario, Canada | CA$69,145 |
| Surval Montreux Boarding School | Prestigious international boarding school | Montreux, Switzerland | CHF82,500 (Swiss Franc) |
| Wycombe Abbey School | Independent boarding and day school | Wycombe, England (UK) | £14,700 |
| St-Hilda’s Collegiate School | Private secondary school | Dunedin, New Zealand | NZ$18,500 per 4 terms (New Zealand Dollar) |
| Heimschule Kloster Wald Private School | Church boarding school | Wald, Germany | £19,100 |
| St.Hilda’s School Gold Coast | Independent, Anglican day and boarding school | Southport, Australia | AU$22,896 – AU$22,589 (Australian dollars) |
Popular FAQs About Boarding Schools for Girls
What are the benefits of attending a girls-only boarding school?
Boarding school is a great opportunity for girls to grow and develop in a safe, supportive environment. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Girls-only schools are more likely to have strong teachers, who are paid more than their counterparts at coed schools.
2. Girls-only schools are more likely to offer an array of classes that support girls’ interests and strengths, such as art and music classes.
3. Girls-only schools provide an opportunity for girls to build social skills with other girls, which is not always possible at coed schools where boys can dominate interactions.
4. Boarding school can also be a great way for parents to step back from their children’s lives while they’re still young enough that it won’t seem like they’re missing out on too much interaction with adults.
How does an all-girls environment differ from coed schools, both in terms of learning and development as well as socialization?
All-girls schools offer a unique environment that differs from coed schools in terms of learning and development as well as socialization.
All-girls schools provide a supportive learning environment for young women to thrive and grow into their full potential. Students at all-girls schools have been shown to have higher graduation rates, better scores on standardized tests, and more academic success than students in coed environments.
The reason for this is that there are fewer distractions in an all-girls school environment—students can focus on their studies and develop strong bonds with their peers without having to worry about fitting in or being accepted by boys.
Additionally, an all-girls school offers an opportunity for young women to learn how to navigate the world as a woman without feeling judged by others around them. This is important because it helps girls develop confidence and leadership skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Final Thought
So you’ve read through our list of the best boarding schools for girls. We hope that you take away a few key points from this article:
- Boarding schools are a great way to prepare your daughter for life in the real world, but it’s important to choose one that will nurture her strengths.
- If she doesn’t love school, she won’t want to attend. You should look at these boarding schools carefully before making a final decision.
- Your child may face challenges while attending a new school, but with proper support and guidance they can learn how to overcome any obstacles they may face during this period
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, this article has helped you to better understand the boarding school experience. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to comment below. We’re happy to answer your questions.
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