Boarding Students Outrank Peers

This study, conducted by The Association of Boarding Schools, reveals that, in terms of quality, richness, sense of engagement, and challenge, boarding school students’ experiences rank significantly higher than their peers at private day schools and public schools.

Only 50% of public school students report being challenged academically, 70% of private day students, but 91% of boarding school students report being academically challenged. Even better, boarding school students spend considerably less time watching television – about 3 hours a week – compared to a minimum of 7 hours for other students – and it’s a pattern that continues throughout life.

90% of boarding school students report having high-quality teachers, compared to 62% of private day students and 51% of public school students. Boarding school students spend more time with teachers, coaches, and staff outside class than private day students – 9 hours compared to 4 hours.

75% of boarding school students report being surrounded by motivated fellow students, but only 49% of public school students and 71% of private day students report the same.

Boarding school students consistently report being involved in more extracurricular activities than their peers. At least 12 hours a week or more are spent exercising or playing sports compared to 9 hours a week for private day and public school students.

About 70% of boarding school students say that boarding school helped them develop self-discipline, maturity, independence, and the ability to think critically. 78% of boarding school graduates say that they were well prepared for the non-academic aspects of college life, compared to 35% of private day students and 23% of public school students.

Boarding school students place as much importance on character development and growth as they do on academic success. 77% of boarding school students report opportunities for leadership, as compared to 60% of private days students and 52% of public school students.

As a result, 87% of boarding school students report being very well prepared for college, as compared to 71% of private day students and only 39% of public school students.

Finally, 95% of boarding school students report being satisfied or very satisfied with their academic experience.