3 US boarding schools cultivating well-rounded students for global success

Looking for a school that turns your kids into confident, high-achieving young adults? Research shows that boarding students often outperform day students academically. At first, they may struggle with the demands of homework and independent living. Over time, they develop self-discipline, learn to collaborate, and become better prepared for further studies. Many grow into mature, independent thinkers who set goals and stay motivated.

What drives this transformation? Well, boarding schools often offer a well-rounded international curriculum and enriched co-curricular programmes. A diverse student body and English-speaking faculty make learning dynamic and engaging. These features make boarding schools a top choice for parents seeking a strong educational foundation.

Students benefit from advanced courses and student-centred college guidance. Living with peers and teachers creates a supportive environment where insight, encouragement, and camaraderie are always close at hand. Beyond academics, boarding schools nurture independence as students balance hobbies and passions through compulsory sports and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

If a boarding school with these offerings is what you seek for your child, here are three schools worth considering:

North Broward Prep School accelerates students’ academic and personal growth through AP, IB, and honours courses, guiding them to top-choice colleges and universities. Source: North Broward Preparatory School

North Broward Preparatory School

What if school didn’t feel like school at all, but instead felt like a second home where students are free to explore, discover, and create their future? That is exactly the environment North Broward Preparatory School — ranked among the top 20% of private schools in Florida — creates. Here, world-class academics meets a welcoming community that empowers every child to grow.

Since 1957, North Broward Prep has been educating, inspiring, and empowering students from Pre-K through grade 12. Today, its community representing more than 50 nationalities creates an environment that encourages students to learn by doing and build the confidence to pursue their passions. Teachers and staff provide personalised support, knowing each student well enough to turn their self-doubts into possibility. In this modern International Village, students build lifelong friendships and enjoy a supportive home away from home while engaging in a truly global community.

At North Broward Prep, learning is designed to spark curiosity and push boundaries. Through “visible thinking” techniques, students map out and master complex concepts in practical ways. Collaborations with MIT, Juilliard, Apple, UNICEF, and Nord Anglia Education enrich these experiences, ensuring learning at this Nord Anglia School is engaging and impactful. To spark growth, this Apple Distinguished School also uses data and analytics, tailoring each student’s journey to match their unique needs, goals, and interests.

For high school students, North Broward Prep provides a proven pathway to top universities. With a 100% IB Diploma pass rate and strong AP results, graduates are regularly accepted into some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including Princeton, Harvard University, Columbia University, Washington University, and Brown University.

The campus itself feels like a bustling college town. Set on nearly 80 acres in Coconut Creek, Florida, between Parkland and Boca Raton, it’s a place where students can debate ideas, dive into projects, train for sports, and join social activities. From 10 private music studios and two piano labs to four visual art studios, three media labs, and specialised STEAM and robotics spaces, there are seemingly endless opportunities for every student to develop their talents and find their passions.

Since 1870, The Webb School has guided co-ed boarding and day students in grades six to 12 to learn, grow, and lead with integrity. Source: The Webb School/Facebook

The Webb School

Picture all the perks of a rural location in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, with Nashville, one of the South’s iconic cities, home to famous recording artists, writers, world-renowned chefs, and a rich cultural heritage, only a short drive away. An outdoor programme that makes the most of their surrounding natural areas through hiking and white water rafting on the Ocoee River, a former Olympic site. Every weekend, there is something new to do. From music to art and theatre, there are opportunities to explore one’s creativity and find one’s voice.  

 These features define an education at The Webb School. Founded in 1870 by noted educator Sawney Webb, it is the oldest continuously operating boarding and day school in the South. Today, it provides a distinctive education — focusing on challenging academics with an emphasis on personal integrity in a small family-like setting — to 420 students in grades six to 12.    

What sets The Webb School apart is how it develops character. Focusing on community and relationships, children get a down-to-earth upbringing that places honour and personal integrity in every aspect of school life. Other unique offerings include Webb’s Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development (WILD) programme; Emerging Voices Programme; global curriculum and personalised approach. 

 Little surprise that a recent survey found that students and parents are very happy with their Webb experience. In a world shrouded by negativity and polarisation, parents felt Webb’s inclusive community stood out. Here, integrity is the cornerstone, where children respect themselves and others, living together in harmony. 

Set in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, The Athenian School challenges students to grow, think critically, and become lifelong learners and achievers. Source: The Athenian School/Facebook

The Athenian School

Students at The Athenian School near San Francisco in Danville, California, learn differently — they learn by doing. An experiential college preparatory private middle and high school  for grades six to 12, The Athenian School is where young, bright minds from the East Bay and beyond actively engage in a challenging educational experience. They immerse themselves deeply in coursework, inspire each other to think critically and collaborate as global citizens. They become Athenian graduates who thrive in great universities and are poised for a life of intellectual exploration and meaningful contribution. 

Such outcomes are thanks to the Athenian way — built on six pillars: internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership and service. These six pillars are the school’s foundation. Students are encouraged to seek lives of meaning and purpose and build cross-cultural skills for the future. They explore athletics, arts, engineering design, international exchange and service, and the Athenian Wilderness Experience — a backpacking programme for an experience of a lifetime. Such features push students to emerge as compassionate, responsible adults. Graduate Cailin Plunkett can attest to this. 

“At Athenian, I’m taught to live actively, not passively. I critically inquire about the information I’m presented, I do not take claims at face value, and I work to become a global citizen who is informed about issues both local and global. I do not allow the world to push me along; I work to shape it for the better,” explains Plunkett. 

As such, it’s easy to see why students from more than 12 countries come to the school for an Athenian education. They enter a vibrant and diverse Athenian community and develop a global perspective for their life.  

 *Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International