Ranking among the best private schools in the United States, Northeastern University, Wesleyan University, and Pitzer College have acceptance rates of 18%, 16%, and 14% respectively. Fettes College in Scotland is renowned for its strictness and is the alma mater of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Gordonstoun, another prestigious school in Scotland, is named after Sir Robert Gordon's estate and does not offer open days. Prince Charles attended Exeter, a New Hampshire school that has been Harvard's unofficial source for decades.
Founded in 1889, The Thacher School in Ojai, California is the oldest co-educational boarding school in the state. Deerfield Academy has an alumni network of over 12,000 and requires students to participate in an extracurricular course each term. Financial aid is available in the form of grants to those who demonstrate financial need. Taft School is a coed boarding school located in Watertown, Connecticut that was founded in 1890.
Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut is a private boarding school for girls and was named the best boarding school for girls by U. S. News & World Report. In addition to challenging courses, students must play three interscholastic team sports before their senior year and receive formal leadership training through thematic seminars each year.
Foxcroft School is a private boarding school for girls located in Middleburg, Virginia that was founded in 1914. Each dorm room is supervised by a full-time housewife whose sole responsibility is to ensure a positive living experience for students. Blair Academy has a public speaking program that focuses on effectively teaching public speaking throughout the curriculum and hosts the Society of Skeptics weekly series which has existed since 1977. Holderness School is a private co-educational boarding school located in Plymouth, New Hampshire that was founded in 1879. The Thacher School celebrates its location in the heart of the ski area by incorporating it into its programming and requires students to complete 30 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Foxcroft cares about campus life and nourishes its community with formal dinners four nights a week and seven-day camp trips each semester. Portsmouth Abbey is an independent Catholic mixed boarding school located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island that was founded by Benedictine monks in 1926. The campus still houses a real working monastery which has a positive influence on the school community.
Webb Schools are two separate schools for boys and girls located in Claremont, California that were founded in 1922 and become co-educational during their first year. Ayer Observatory is open for use by astronomy students and for public tours on Friday nights. Suffield Academy is a private co-ed boarding school located in Suffield, Connecticut that was founded in 1833 and trains future leaders of the United States through classroom instruction and outdoor education. Hotchkiss School is an independent boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut that was founded in 1891 and offers one year of graduate school.
Loomis Chaffee is an independent boarding school located in Windsor, Connecticut that was founded by five siblings whose children all died tragically and offers one year of graduate school. These schools are some of the hardest private schools to get into due to their rigorous academic standards, competitive admissions process, and impressive alumni networks. Students must demonstrate academic excellence as well as leadership skills to be accepted into these prestigious institutions.
