The 10 Best Boarding Schools Near NYC

The 10 Best Boarding Schools Near NYC

Elite Education Beyond the City Limits: The Boarding School Option

For many families in the New York City metro area, the ultimate educational aspiration lies beyond the daily commute: the storied world of elite **boarding schools**.

Located primarily in nearby Connecticut, New Jersey, and upstate New York (with some extending into Massachusetts and Pennsylvania), these prestigious institutions offer a unique blend of intense academics, immersive campus life, unparalleled resources, and deep-rooted traditions.

Choosing a boarding school is a significant decision, often involving sending children away for five or seven days a week. Families opt for this path seeking a different environment—smaller classes, 24/7 learning communities, diverse student bodies drawn from around the globe, and often, specialized athletic or arts programs unavailable in day schools.

These schools are legendary feeders into the Ivy League and other top universities, representing the pinnacle of traditional American prep school education.

Explore Our NYC Metro Education Guides

Guide/Category	Explore Further
NYC Elite Education Landscape (Master Guide)	The Comprehensive Overview
The 25 Best NYC Metro Elite Schools	Consolidated Regional Ranking
Westchester’s Top Schools	Including Local Boarding Options
Greenwich, CT’s Top Schools	Including Local Boarding Options
Short Hills/NJ’s Top Schools	Including Local Boarding Options

Strategic Tips for Boarding School Admissions

• The Application Gauntlet: Applying to elite boarding schools is a complex process involving the **SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)**, multiple essays (student and parent), recommendations, interviews (often on campus), and showcasing extracurricular talents. Start early (often 1-2 years in advance).
• Feeder Schools Matter: Many K-8 or K-9 private schools in NYC, Westchester, Greenwich, and NJ (like Buckley, Green Vale, Rippowam Cisqua, Far Hills) have established relationships and track records (“feeder schools”) for placing students into top boarding schools.
• 5-Day vs. 7-Day Boarding: Some schools closer to NYC offer a 5-day boarding option, allowing students to return home on weekends. Traditional New England schools are typically 7-day boarding, creating a fully immersive environment.
• “Fit” is Crucial: Beyond academics, assess the school’s culture. Is it intensely competitive or more collaborative? Artsy or preppy? Single-sex or co-ed? Finding the right environment (“fit”) is key to a successful boarding experience.
• Financial Aid & Endowments: Top boarding schools often have enormous endowments and offer significant need-based financial aid, making them potentially accessible to talented students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Boarding School X-Factor: Independence & Global Network. Boarding school is often the first major step towards independence for a young person. Living away from home fosters self-reliance, maturity, and time management skills.

Furthermore, the student body is typically drawn from across the US and the globe, creating a diverse and lifelong network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why choose boarding school over a top NYC day school?

Families choose boarding for various reasons: a desire for a different (often more traditional or campus-based) environment, specific academic or athletic programs, fostering independence, geographic convenience (for international families), or family tradition.

How far is “Near NYC”?

This list generally considers schools within a 1.5 to 2.5-hour drive or train ride from Manhattan, primarily in Connecticut, New Jersey, Upstate New York, and Western Massachusetts.

Are boarding schools only for the super-rich?

While extremely expensive (often $70,000+ per year), the leading boarding schools have large endowments dedicated to financial aid. Many offer substantial scholarships based on need, making them accessible to a wider range of talented students than their tuition sticker price might suggest.

Ranking: The 10 Best Boarding Schools Near NYC

Ranked by prestige, academic rigor, resources, and proximity/appeal to NYC metro families.

1. The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville, NJ)

Highlight: A top-tier co-ed school (grades 9-12) known for its Harkness Table teaching method, stunning campus, and Ivy League placement.

Justification: Lawrenceville is arguably the most prestigious boarding school in NJ and a direct peer to New England’s best. Its discussion-based learning and vast resources attract top students globally. Conveniently located near Princeton.

Address: 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 | Phone: (609) 896-0400 | Website: lawrenceville.org

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2. Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford, CT)

Highlight: An elite co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) known for academic innovation, signature programs (e.g., Environmental Immersion), and notable alumni.

Justification: Choate consistently ranks among the top boarding schools globally. Its blend of traditional rigor and forward-thinking programs makes it highly sought-after. Easy access from NYC via train.

Address: 333 Christian St, Wallingford, CT 06492 | Phone: (203) 697-2000 | Website: choate.edu

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3. The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT)

Highlight: A highly prestigious co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) set on a beautiful campus in the Berkshires foothills. Strong academics and arts.

Justification: Hotchkiss offers a rigorous liberal arts education in a stunning rural setting. It’s known for its strong sense of community and excellent placement at top universities.

Address: 11 Interlaken Rd, Lakeville, CT 06039 | Phone: (860) 435-2591 | Website: hotchkiss.org

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4. Taft School (Watertown, CT)

Highlight: An elite co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) known for its strong sense of community (“Non ut sibi ministretur sed ut ministret”), academics, and athletics.

Justification: Taft fosters a demanding yet supportive environment. It boasts impressive facilities and a strong record of sending graduates to leading colleges.

Address: 110 Woodbury Rd, Watertown, CT 06795 | Phone: (860) 945-7777 | Website: taftschool.org

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5. Blair Academy (Blairstown, NJ)

Highlight: A dynamic co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) known for strong academics, leadership programs, and close student-faculty relationships.

Justification: Blair offers a rigorous curriculum with a focus on student leadership and engagement. Its location in northwestern NJ makes it accessible for NYC metro families.

Address: 2 Park St, Blairstown, NJ 07825 | Phone: (908) 362-6121 | Website: blair.edu

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6. Kent School (Kent, CT)

Highlight: A co-ed Episcopal boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) with strong traditions, academics, and renowned rowing program.

Justification: Kent offers a structured environment grounded in Episcopal values. It’s known for its beautiful campus on the Housatonic River and its commitment to developing mind, body, and spirit.

Address: 1 Macedonia Rd, Kent, CT 06757 | Phone: (860) 927-6000 | Website: kent-school.edu

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7. Loomis Chaffee School (Windsor, CT)

Highlight: An excellent co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) known for its strong academics, commitment to the “common good,” and diverse student body.

Justification: Loomis Chaffee fosters intellectual curiosity and a sense of civic responsibility. It offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs on a historic campus.

Address: 4 Batchelder Rd, Windsor, CT 06095 | Phone: (860) 687-6000 | Website: loomischaffee.org

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8. The Masters School (Dobbs Ferry, NY)

Highlight: Offers 5- and 7-day boarding (grades 9-12) close to NYC. Known for Harkness Table method and strong arts.

Justification: As featured in the Westchester guide, Masters provides a top-tier boarding option with easy access back to NYC, ideal for families wanting closer proximity.

Address: 49 Clinton Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 | Phone: (914) 479-6400 | Website: mastersny.org

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9. Peddie School (Hightstown, NJ)

Highlight: A co-ed boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) with exceptional facilities (especially athletic) and a strong academic reputation.

Justification: Peddie offers a dynamic, well-resourced environment south of the immediate NYC metro but easily accessible. Known for innovation and its signature Peddie Lake.

Address: 201 S Main St, Hightstown, NJ 08520 | Phone: (609) 944-7500 | Website: peddie.org

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10. Salisbury School (Salisbury, CT)

Highlight: An all-boys boarding school (grades 9-12, PG) focused on tradition, character, and brotherhood in a scenic setting.

Justification: Salisbury provides a structured, supportive environment for boys to develop academically and personally. It’s known for its strong athletics and loyal alumni network.

Address: 251 Canaan Rd, Salisbury, CT 06068 | Phone: (860) 435-5700 | Website: salisburyschool.org

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