Three 21st-century boarding schools providing holistic education

The idea of boarding school can be daunting to some children and even their parents. It is indeed no small feat to leave the comfort of home behind, but those who overcome that fear will inevitably become the best versions of themselves.

Boarding schools train children to be independent, resilient, and responsible, transforming them into confident young adults before college. By the end of their journey, students will see themselves transformed, sure of who they are and the path ahead of them. The statistics speak for themselves – the Association of Boarding Schools found that 78% of boarding school students feel prepared for college versus 36% of private day students and 23% of public students.

Indeed, choosing the right boarding school is an investment in a future of greater opportunity and academic success. If you’re keen on such a future for your child, here are three boarding schools qualified to offer just that and more.

Aldenham School is one of the most desired private schools in and around the London area. Source: Aldenham School

Aldenham School

If an all-round education with an excellent environment is what you seek for your son or daughter, Aldenham School offers just that and more. The boarding school has a long-standing history, providing pioneering holistic education to children aged three to 18 since 1597.

Every student here excels in academics and develops life skills. Through the school’s seamless fusion of rigorous academics with a rich array of co-curricular activities, girls and boys grow to their full potential through sports, the arts, and various clubs and societies. Aspiring entrepreneurs benefit from the school’s Business Society and Business Challenge competitions, while those who enjoy the arts can choose from a variety of creative avenues such as drama, dance, painting, singing, and more. Sport is widely recognised by elite sporting development programmes, with students at Aldenham securing places in Premiership football clubs, county cricket teams, and elite hockey clubs and more.

The result? Students who are enriched in body, mind, and soul. Add Aldenham’s supportive community and pastoral care to the mix, along with a structured house system for boarding, and the outcome is contented students who enjoy school and thrive. Students graduate ready for higher education and future careers. Perhaps these reasons are why Aldenham is increasingly a first choice for children of all abilities.

As Aldenham graduates, they may enter an Oxbridge college, or Russell Group University, or choose to become professional athletes, musicians or actors.  All evolve into well-balanced individuals. Wherever they go, they carry a lifetime’s worth of memories from their home away from home. Aldenham’s beautiful 120-acre campus is located just 25 minutes from London, one of the world’s most exciting capitals, offering both the unmatched perks of central London and the beauty and tranquility of the Hertfordshire countryside. Apply to the school considered as one of the outstanding Independent Boarding and Day Schools near London today.

At Choate Rosemary Hall, students and faculty constantly embrace the idea of “what’s next”. Source: Choate Rosemary Hall

Choate Rosemary Hall

Located in the scenic town of Wallingford, Connecticut, Choate Rosemary Hall is a co-educational boarding and day school for students grades nine to postgraduate.

Students are prepared to take on college and life with the school’s support, programmes and expertise. Academic exploration is encouraged here, with diverse perspectives, cultures, and student experiences valued. Choate is just the right size, with an authentic community and unparalleled facilities to make this possible.

In short, Choate is a school where students are undefinable. With a vast array of opportunities, studies and activities, combined with support and guidance from campus adults, there is no need for students to be constrained by one thing — be it sport, passion, or identity.

Signature Programmes let students build upon their interests and talents further. From Advanced Robotics to Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES), each option is completely immersive. There is also the Capstone Programme, where students use their creativity and curiosity to chart a concentrated course of study that culminates in a final project during the spring term of the sixth form year. Past concentrations have included China-US Relations, The Art of Dissent, and Preventable Exploitation in the Developing World.

Choate is an intellectually inquisitive community where students can widen their worlds and explore many different passions. They have the full support of faculty members ready to guide them in stretching their discoveries and passion in any area. If you seek an education that brings big changes and impressive transformations, learn more about Choate Rosemary Hall here.

North London Collegiate School Jeju is proud to be a Top 70 IB School. Source: North London Collegiate School Jeju

North London Collegiate School Jeju

At North London Collegiate School Jeju (NLCS Jeju), students are greeted every morning by sweeping greenery, rolling waterfalls, and the glittering open sea. Such sights are the norm at this exceptional boarding and day school, located on the UNESCO World Heritage island of Jeju, South Korea. But the location is just a bonus – the real deal is NLCS Jeju’s excellent academic reputation.

NLCS Jeju students perform higher than the world average in all formal examinations. In 2023, the school’s average score for the International Baccalaureate was 36, six points higher than the world average. It’s a notable feat, seeing as students graduate with not only IGCSEs and their IB diploma, but also their Korean High School Diploma. The results are even more impressive as the majority of students speak Korean as a first language and English as a second.

The reason behind this success? The school is renowned for raising well-rounded, high-achieving students with highly qualified and passionate teachers, state-of-the-art facilities and award-winning pastoral support. Combined with the school’s over 100 co-curricular activities and societies, every week at NLCS is different and provides students with a fulfilling experience.

Boarding students, in particular, are able to enjoy additional activities – such as playing pool – during the evenings and weekends. With the extra time saved from a daily commute to school, they have more opportunities to pursue and thrive in their individual interests, ensuring a unique experience away from home. As a result of their boarding experience, students graduate from NLCS Jeju happy, healthy, and determined to make their marks on the world.