4 boarding schools providing students with an exceptional learning experience

If you are looking for a school that will provide your child with a rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of extracurriculars and exposure to a diverse community, consider a boarding school. 

Boarding schools are renowned for offering an education that will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to face an increasingly globalised future. Here, students will develop and grow as they prepare for college and beyond — all while making friends and enjoying their campus and surrounding. 

The best boarding schools offer these and more. If this ticks what you need in your chil’d education, look no further. These four boarding schools are doing just that: 

Marlborough College Malaysia (Malaysia)

Marlborough College Malaysia prepares students to meet the challenges of a complex and evolving modern world. Source: Marlborough College Malaysia

Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, has a strategic location, situated at the border of Malaysia and Singapore. MCM is the sister school of one of the world’s finest co-educational independent schools globally, Marlborough College. This means it benefits from the best of both worlds.

Here at the Malaysian campus, this coeducational day and boarding school offers a British curriculum designed to stimulate, challenge and support students in discovering and developing their talents in various areas. MCM aims to produce students who pursue questions, not simply answers, discover ideas, not just facts and appreciate the journey, not just the destination. 

Set on a 90-acre site, the school is divided into its Prep School for students aged three to 13 and the Senior School for students aged 13 to 18. In Senior School, students follow the UK National Curriculum, preparing them to take their IGCSE or IB exam. 

“Guided by our principles of compassion, companionship and conversation, MCM gives its boys and girls the space, inspiration and courage to explore their own potential, the wonders of our world and their responsibilities to it and to each other,” says Alan Stevens, MCM master.

The result of this is over 20% of MCM students achieving 40 points or higher in their IB examinations. These students understand global issues and their responsibility as the next globalised generation — taking these lessons as they progress into some of the best universities in the world and beyond.

Kingswood School (UK)

Kingswood School aims to produce curious, confident and independent students ready to take on the world. Source: Kingswood School

Located in the historical city of Bath is a day and boarding school that offers students an engaging and empowering academic experience in a diverse and safe community. Welcoming and inclusive, Kingswood School provides many offerings that prepare children to thrive, no matter where their futures take them.

This co-educational school is focused on providing students with a broad and holistic education from as young as nine months up to 18 years old. Here, students receive a learning and living experience like no other, with boarding starting for those seven years old and above. 

The school is divided into the Prep School (nine months to 11 years old) and the Senior School (11 to 18 years old). In the Prep School, discussions, practical activities and role-play encourage participation from children of all backgrounds. Visits to farms, the SS Great Britain, and a chocolate factory take learning beyond the classroom and campus to expand perspectives even more. 

As students progress into Senior School, the curriculum equips them with the knowledge and skills to become curious, confident and independent students ready for an increasingly interconnected world. General Studies for sixth formers, for example, broaden students’ understanding of, and stimulate their interest in, a range of social, cultural, political and world affairs. Whereas over 100 activities each term let students discover new talents, and improve existing skills as they learn to work with a wide range of personalities. For more information on this global education that will prepare your child for a successful future, click here

EF Academy International Boarding Schools (USA)

EF Academy students graduate armed with a globalised education and are ready to contribute to society. Source: EF Academy

EF Academy International Boarding Schools has campuses in Westchester County, New York, Pasadena, California, and Oxford, England — each of which is as diverse as they are global. Students and staff come from over 60 countries, bringing unique views that enrich the discussions and camaraderie at these safe and inclusive private institutions. 

An education here is transformative — it’s defined by how experiential, immersive and intercultural it is. This can be seen in how internationalism is built into every part of the experience, from interactive exchanges in the classroom to hands-on learning in clubs and activities.

The four-year Global Leadership Programme at the EF Academy Pasadena is focused on developing and implementing solutions that realise the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Using project-based learning, the curriculum offers many opportunities to develop important skills, including curiosity, a global mentality, cultural sensitivity, and strategic thinking.

At EF Academy New York, students expand their understanding from local to global through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Holistic and academically rigorous, its six subjects and three core requirements train students to become critical, independent thinkers ready for university anywhere in the world. They stand out for being able to understand languages, social studies, science, mathematics and the arts from a global lens. 

As a result of this world-class education, 99% of graduating students were accepted into universities in 20 countries around the world and with US$4.5 million in scholarships. They can be found at the likes of Imperial College London, King’s College London, London School of Economics, MIT, Harvard, Cornell University, McGill University, Australian National University and the University of Toronto. 

Hills International College (Australia)

boarding schools

At Hills International College, students are exposed to diverse cultures and experiences. Source: Hills International College

Located in Jimboomba, Queensland, is an international school focused on creating an environment where students from all around the world can learn and grow. Hills International College is a co-educational, independent international school offering exceptional education to students from Prep to Year 12. Here, students will have the opportunity to explore their interests in a safe and supportive environment. 

The school is renowned for its outstanding sports offerings. From basketball to netball, golf, volleyball, dance and swimming, the college has it all. The Hills Golf Academy has even been recognised for its many accomplishments as it provides a championship tradition and state-of-the-art golf coaching training programme. Many of its aspiring young golfers here have been sent to the US on scholarships.

While Hills International College boasts strong academics and extracurriculars, that isn’t all that makes the school unique. With students from many different countries, there are many chances to meet, engage and connect with peers of all opinions and beliefs. It’s a community that emphasises tolerance and communication — backed by support staff of all races, and teaching staff with global teaching experience.

The college has many other offerings that get its students ready for the world. These include academic programs aimed at university and other tertiary options in Australia and overseas, English Language preparation and tuition, homestay living for cultural and language learning, a campus surrounded by Australian wildlife and beauty, and many more.

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