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Attending Boarding School: English as a 2nd Language
International parents and students have found American boarding schools an attractive educational option for many years. We look at some of the reasons why as well as some of the steps involved in gaining admission to a residential school in the United States.

American boarding schools have been popular with families from countries outside the United States for many years. The International Education Specialists website lays out five reasons why this is so. Why Study In The USA? 5 Reasons and Benefits Make USA The Best discusses international students in American universities. But the same reasons apply to residential high schools here in the United States.

Canada, the United Kingdom, and several European countries also have residential high schools. They certainly offer families options. So, why then are American boarding schools so popular?

Learning the English Language

There's nothing like a language immersion program to develop a young person's fluency in English. And that's precisely what boarding schools in the United States offer. All classes except foreign language classes such as Spanish and French are taught in English. In addition, English is the language used in most extracurricular activities and sports programs that schools offer. As a result, students for whom English is their second language must speak, read, and understand English, both oral and written, during classes, on stage, and the playing field.

Being immersed in an American boarding school's academic and community life also means that students quickly learn how to speak and think in conversational English. In their daily routines, they pick up the common, everyday casual expressions that you and I take for granted. However, they also learn to switch to more formal phrases when the occasion warrants it.

With all this in mind,

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I've Been Waitlisted. What Do I Do Now?

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I've Been Waitlisted. What Do I Do Now?
After months of research, school visits, interviews, and tests, you find out that you've been waitlisted. Relax. It's not the end of the world. Here's what to do.

You applied to several boarding schools. But your first choice didn't accept you. Instead, it waitlisted you. What exactly does this mean? And why do schools waitlist applicants? What do you do now?

I can tell you from my first-hand experience that you wonder what you did wrong. Did you make a poor impression at the interview? Were your scores not good enough? The questions are never-ending. As a father whose two daughters both went to boarding schools, I remember well all the second-guessing. So, I am writing this essay from the candidate's point of view and yours. Please share it with your child who has been waitlisted by one or more of the boarding schools she applied to.

What does waitlisting mean?

Most schools typically offer more applicants places than they have for the theory and experience that they will receive enough acceptances to fill all their seats. Calculating the actual yield from the acceptances they have sent out is something experienced admissions officers know how to do almost instinctively. For example, let's say the school has places for 100 students. It could send acceptance letters to 100 applicants. But what happens if only 75 of those families accept the places offered? Having 25 empty seats will wreak havoc with any private school's finances.

That's where the waitlisting comes in. The admissions officers know that if they offer a certain number of applicants over the actual number of places they have available, they will receive the necessary

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Endow A Faculty Position! Please!

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Endow A Faculty Position! Please!
Thinking about making a major gift to your school? How about endowing a faculty chair? More here.

2020-2021 have been unusual, depressing years as we all coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, notwithstanding all the gloom and doom, there was some good news in 2021. Several announcements of major gifts to private schools have lifted our spirits and given us, and the recipients, hope.

In October 2021, Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts, announced that an alumnus had left a bequest to endow three faculty chairs. Also in October, the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut, reported that a current trustee and his wife had endowed a faculty chair. The munificence of these donors supports the stated mission of these schools.

The Berkshire School's mission statement notes:

"Rooted in an inspiring natural setting, Berkshire School instills the highest standards of character and citizenship and a commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. Our community fosters diversity, a dedication to environmental stewardship, and an enduring love for learning."

This video offers an overview of Berkshire School.

In its mission statement, The Frederick Gunn School states:

"In 1850 Frederick Gunn established a school based on the belief that strength of character was the goal of education. Today, The Frederick Gunn School rests on the four cornerstones of character: scholarship, integrity, respect and responsibility. Character is forged in a cohesive, diverse community informed by a challenging college preparatory curriculum, a broad range of

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International Students at U.S. Boarding Schools: 2026 Guide to Admissions, Visas, and Preparation

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International Students at U.S. Boarding Schools: 2026 Guide to Admissions, Visas, and Preparation
Learn how international students can apply to U.S. boarding schools in 2026. This comprehensive guide covers admissions requirements, application timelines, English testing, visa steps, travel preparation, and financial planning to help families navigate the entire process with confidence.

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

International students are welcome at boarding schools in the United States. Welcome! Bienvenidos! Bienvenue! Willkommen!

American boarding schools have long embraced a global perspective. Despite periodic headlines about geopolitical tensions, most schools actively promote cultural exchange, diversity, and international understanding. Students from around the world are not only accepted but also valued members of the community.

How Many International Students Attend U.S. Boarding Schools?

Recent estimates indicate that more than 60,000 international students attend U.S. boarding schools, reflecting steady growth in global enrollment since 2023.

For broader international education trends, see: https://www.iie.org

Why Study at a U.S. Boarding School?

Boarding schools in the United States offer a unique educational and residential experience.

Academic Strength

  • Broad, college-preparatory curricula

  • Strong STEM, robotics, and advanced coursework
  • Small class sizes and individualized attention

College Readiness

Studying at a U.S. boarding school helps students:

  • Adjust to American academic expectations
  • Build strong English fluency
  • Prepare for U.S. college admissions

Campus Life and Safety

Most boarding schools are located in suburban or rural settings with:

  • Controlled campus access
  • 24/7 supervision
  • Structured residential life

Safety and student support remain top priorities.

To explore boarding school options, visit: https://www.boardingschoolreview.com/

Choosing the Right Boarding School

With hundreds of boarding schools available, narrowing your options is essential.

Tips for Searching

  • Filter by region, size, and academic programs

  • Review extracurricular offerings and campus life
  • Evaluate international student support services

For example, New England includes:

  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut
  • Vermont
  • New Hampshire
  • Maine
  • Rhode Island

This region alone offers

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Boarding School Admissions Process: Complete 2026 Guide for Families

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Boarding School Admissions Process: Complete 2026 Guide for Families
Learn how the boarding school admissions process works in 2026. Step-by-step guidance on applications, interviews, timelines, and acceptance strategies.

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Admissions to boarding school is a process with many components. The process can be confusing to parents dealing with boarding school admissions for the first time. This article serves as a central hub, bringing together key resources and guidance to help you navigate every step.

The Overview

Admissions to boarding schools involves multiple steps, and understanding the full process early will make it far more manageable.

Admissions to Boarding School: A–Z puts all the information you need in one convenient place. Whether you are just beginning or have been through this before, you will find help and advice to guide you. If you cannot find answers to your questions or have specific concerns, contact the admissions offices at schools in which you are interested. Admissions staff are always ready to help.

Admissions 101 offers an overview of the admissions process, as well as the steps needed to find the right school for your child. The secret to success is identifying the school that best fits your needs and requirements.

Our Admissions Checklist will keep you on track as you work through the process. It organizes every step into an easy-to-follow structure.

If you are good at organizing projects, the challenges involved in getting your child into boarding school will not seem especially daunting. Bear in mind that this project typically stretches over 12 to 18 months, though some schools now offer rolling admissions.

Play the

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