Good schools stand out for effective teaching, diverse activities, and safe campuses. But for many families, an active athletics programme is the clincher.
The best boarding schools understand this, offering young artists and athletes their chance to compete and many ways to build character, camaraderie, and competitive edge. Here, your child can train, travel, and triumph inside and often beyond school grounds.
With proper coaching and facilities, some go on to go pro. At elite boarding schools, that figure of students going on to play sports in college can rise to 20%. They are proof that facilities are important. Having Olympic-sized pools, turf fields, and indoor arenas that rival professional set ups can empower children to realise their full potential.
If you’re a parent seeking more than academics, the following programmes offer a powerful package: physical growth, mental grit, and lifelong discipline.
North Cross School balances its athletics and strong academics well. Source: North Cross School
North Cross School
North Cross School excels in sports. Since it began competing in 1974, it has claimed184 conference titles and 34 state championships. Nearly one out of four (24%) Class of 2025 graduates committed to playing sports at the collegiate level, four times the national average of 6%. And this is across the board athletic success, with a track of record of international students playing sports in college too.
But for as much as students here enjoy winning and performing at the highest levels, there is just as much to gain from just participating, no matter the podium finish. Whether it’s lacrosse for boys, field hockey and volleyball for girls, or golf and soccer for all, the emphasis is on participation, growth, and grit. Sports teaches teamwork, personal responsibility, achievement, and learning through disappointment – qualities that translate well to the classroom.
The accredited independent school does just as well in nurturing tomorrow’s thought leaders. A faculty of which over 80% of whom hold advanced degrees ensures this. They deliver a demanding, creative, and innovative college preparatory curriculum culminating in college level work in every discipline.
Boarders have another advantage: they get the best of city life coupled with a stunning rural setting 24/7. The school is in the Roanoke Valley, 250 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and 196 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina. Here, your child will be safe and well cared for, with no shortage of social opportunities to enrich their academic experience. There’s always something going on within and beyond campus, from weekend brunches in the dorm’s sun-drenched dining hall to city-wide scavenger hunts.
Apply to North Cross School now.
Athletics is a big part of Stevenson School, an independent Pre-K–12 boarding and day school located on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Source: Stevenson School/Facebook
Stevenson School
Athletics is a cornerstone of Stevenson School‘s approach to education. From football to water polo to field hockey, each sports programme is tailored to your child’s needs, regardless of their level and skills. They will be coached by a dedicated team of instructors who will teach them not only to play and win but also to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and respect.
All year long, they will learn to embrace challenges, act with integrity, work as a team, and compete with sportsmanship. And that includes the holidays.
During summer break, the school offers sports camps for those who want to hone their skills in tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, basketball, co-ed soccer, diving, volleyball, and water polo. These camps include morning and afternoon sessions, with a lunch break during which students gather in the dining hall to eat, mingle, and make new friends.
Playing sports here teaches leadership, followership, and the importance of being part of something bigger than oneself. In classrooms, however, the focus is on quality education grounded in meaning, purpose, and joy.
Here, students have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of interests through a rich curriculum. From Computer Science and Engineering to History and Mathematics, they are trained to think critically, fostering creativity, purpose, and a lifelong passion for learning.
Co-curricular experiences complement this. Whether in arts or expeditions, all activities are designed to nurture curiosity and diverse talents.
LFA Lake Forest Academy is ranked among the top boarding schools in the US and #1 private school in Illinois. Source: Lake Forest Academy/Facebook
Lake Forest Academy
Just 30 miles north of Chicago is the beautiful Lake Forest Academy (LFA). A boarding school for children in grades nine through 12, LFA guides young adults through a well-rounded, student-centric education that extends beyond the classroom. LFA students take part in service projects, perform on stage, and even go abroad.
There’s another pursuit that the academy is well-known for: sports. From cross-country and tennis to winter sports like ice hockey and squash, students have ample opportunity to join competitive teams and stay active year-round.
Beyond the scoreboard, the benefits run deep: physical fitness, personal discipline, and a pathway to collegiate athletics.
To further enhance the athletic experience, the new 45,000-square-foot Athletic Centre features three regulation multi-use courts for indoor sports. It also boasts an indoor running track and an additional fitness centre to promote practice, training, and recreation. Other amenities in this newly built centre include squash courts for practice and competition and an indoor turf to accommodate training for outdoor sports.
The coaches here consistently challenge student-athletes to reach their potential, not only in athletics but in academics too. With skills from the field plus knowledge gained in class, the school ensures students are prepared for their next steps. And data shows that they do – 100% of LFA graduates matriculate to university.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
