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Boarding school… Those two little words can signify exciting prospects and adventures for your child or perhaps a sinking feeling that your baby is flying the coop already! Whether you’re looking for a boarding school in the UK, US or closer to home, here are the boarding options for Hong Kong students.
Thanks to the fictional world of Harry Potter and a degree of artistic licence, the misconceptions about boarding schools are numerous and somewhat outdated. Naturally, boarding school can be a daunting experience for some children (and parents alike!). A school that caters to your child’s strengths and interests – whether that be sports, languages, music, creative arts or technology – and provides strong pastoral care will always be the best choice.
If you are just beginning your search there are some key factors to consider that will help you narrow down the options. Aside from which country – UK, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia or somewhere in Asia — you will need to consider co-education or single-sex options, non-denominational or religious affiliations, the facilities and courses offered and of course budget.
We have rounded up a taste of the top boarding schools from around the world including UK public schools, USA boarding schools and other options, including right here in Hong Kong.
Jump To:
UK Boarding Schools
US Boarding Schools
Boarding Schools In Asia
Boarding Schools In The Rest Of The World
Read More: The Ultimate Guide To International Schools In Hong Kong
UK Boarding Schools
Confusingly, fee-paying independent schools in the UK are called public schools, referring to them being open to all pupils irrespective of denomination, location or status, though most were established by a Christian denomination. The history, traditions and prestige of the British curriculum offered at UK boarding schools are well known yet many come with innovative and progressive programs. Read on!
Read More: British Schools In Hong Kong — International Schools, Preschools And Secondary Schools In Hong Kong
Brighton College – Consistently ranked one of the top co-educational independent schools in the UK
Offering full and weekly (4 nights) boarding, Brighton College was recently awarded School of the Decade by The Sunday Times Independent Schools Guide. Founded on a culture of kindness and respect, students are encouraged to find their personal happiness in sports, academics and arts, making it a great UK boarding school.
Age: 3-18 years, boarding from 13 years
Curriculum: British
Brighton College, www.brightoncollege.org.uk
Benenden School – One of the only UK boarding schools for girls to offer a comprehensive workplace preparation program
Developed with business leaders, Benenden’s Professional Skills Program prepares boarding school students for the modern workplace through financial literacy, presentation and communication skills, critical and creative thinking and technology and media modules. The work experience internships top off the learning and provide relevant opportunities to flourish in workforce post studies.
Age: 11-18 years
Curriculum: British
Benenden School, www.beneden.school
Sevenoaks School – Co-educational day and UK boarding school offering the IB program for over 30 years
Located in the heart of the Kent countryside, Sevenoaks is the second oldest non-denomination school in the UK. It has a reputation for exploring new ideas, being one of the first schools to offer the IBDP exclusively and more recently launched 3 institutes to deliver career management skills, social and environmental challenges, well-being and digital learning.
Age: 11-18 years
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Sevenoaks School, www.sevenoaksschool.org
Read More: International Baccalaureate — IB Curriculum And Schools In Hong Kong
St Pauls School – Academically selective UK boarding school for boys, offering support regardless of economic circumstance
St Paul’s prides itself on being able to offer financial assistance to families who would otherwise not be able to afford a private UK boarding school education for their talented sons. While most boys are day students, the school offers senior students full and flexi-boarding at its campus on the banks of the Thames.
Age: 7-18 years, boarding year 9 and above
Curriculum: British
St Pauls School, www.stpaulsschool.org.uk
More UK Boarding Schools
- Wycombe Abbey – Leading girls UK boarding school with sister co-education primary school in Hong Kong. www.wycombeabbey.com
- Eton College – Known over the world for its royal connections, Eton is one of only two public UK boarding schools to have retained the boys-only, boarding-only tradition. www.etoncollege.com
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College – Offering GCSE and IBDP, at this UK boarding school for girls the student population is 80% boarders and consistently wins awards for academic excellence. www.cheltladiescollege.org
- Millfield School – The largest co-educational boarding school in the UK for ages 2-18 with boarding offered from 7 years. www.millfieldschool.com
- Albans School – Founded in 948, St. Alban’s is one of the oldest schools in the world! It offers boys a British curriculum education with girls joining them at sixth form. www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk
Read More: Your Guide To Preschools, Nurseries And Kindergartens In Hong Kong
US Boarding Schools
US Boarding schools in the US generally do not come cheap but many offer substantial financial aid programs. With more than 300 boarding schools across the US, set in some of the most spectacular parts of the country, you are sure to find one to suit your child’s strengths and values.
Read More: Bilingual Schools In Hong Kong: Preschools To Higher Education
Hotchkiss School – Connecticut boarding school offering over 200 courses, 7 foreign languages and 65 clubs
With an average class size of 12 and an enviable study-abroad program, Hotchkiss delivers a comprehensive educational experience. Over 95% of the student body boards and the academic program is supported by co-curricular activities such as photography, fly fishing, drama, robotics, dance and various varsity athletic teams.
Age: 14-18 years
Curriculum: American / Advance Placement
Hotchkiss School, www.hotchkiss.org
Milton Academy – A co-educational US boarding school with boarding from Grade 9
Located 15 minutes from Boston, Milton Academy is part of the Independent Schools League which is made up of 16 New England preparatory schools competing athletically and academically. Accordingly, the school is forbidden to give athletic or academic scholarships and all financial aid is therefore rendered on a needs basis.
Age: 4-18 years, boarding from Grade 9
Curriculum: American
Milton Academy, www.milton.edu
Choate Rosemary Hall – 100% of students from this US boarding school go on to attend University
With an alumnus that includes famous Presidents, actors, Olympians, diplomats and poets, Choate Rosemary Hall delivers a distinguished education with more than 300 courses on offer. The school’s Signature Programs include the Advanced Robotics Program, Environmental Immersion Program and JFK Program in Government and Public Service.
Age: 14-18 years
Curriculum: American
Choate Rosemary Hall, www.choate.edu
New Hampton School – Co-educational US boarding school offering IB and Advance Placement (AP) courses
Nestled in the foothills of the White Mountains, New Hampton School’s campus setting delivers unique experiences and events like Foliage Day involving a hike up the mountains followed by a BBQ, lawn games and music. The Entrepreneurial Studies Program encourages students to harness their passions and launch a start-up or business venture.
Age: 14-18 years
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate / Advance Placement
New Hampton School, www.newhampton.org
Read More: Summer Internship And Jobs In Hong Kong For Teens
More North American Boarding Schools
- THINK Global School – The world’s first travelling boarding school where students live in four different countries each year exploring real-world problems and implementing projects to address them. www.thinkglobalschool.org
- Phillips Exeter Academy – One of the most prestigious US boarding schools utilising the Harkness teaching method which encourages discussion in classes with minimal teacher intervention. www.exeter.edu
- Canterbury School – Small but by no means lesser US boarding school guided by Catholic heritage located just 1.5 hours from New York City. www.cbury.org
- Ridley College – Located just 10-minutes from Niagara Falls in Ontario Canada, it offers a challenging combination of IB and Ontario Secondary School Diploma curricula. www.ridleycollege.com
Read More: Special Educational Needs: Finding Schools And Resources In Hong Kong
Boarding Schools In Asia
Like the idea of boarding school but do not want to send your child too far afield? There are some wonderful international boarding schools in Asia including here in Hong Kong. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn a second (or third!) language in the country of choice.
Read More: How To Raise Multicultural Kids In Hong Kong
Marlborough College – Malaysia’s premier purpose-built boarding school
Marlborough College’s 90-acre campus includes an organic farm, golf driving range, swimming pools, theatre and a lake for watersports. It offers full, weekly and 3-day boarding options providing flexibility to suit your family and child’s study schedule.
Age: 3-18 years
Curriculum: British / IBDP
Marlborough College, www.marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
Read More: A Closer Look At Marlborough College Malaysia
Harrow International School — Hong Kong’s only British International boarding school
Harrow is a global name in education, with the UK school founded in 1572 providing centuries of heritage and achievement as inspiration to students. In Hong Kong, Harrow offers weekly boarding from Year 6 in a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario, where children are home for the weekend.
Age: 3-18 years, boarding from Grade 6
Curriculum: British
Harrow International School, www.harrowschool.hk
United World College South East Asia – Singapore’s only international boarding school with an IB curriculum
United World College has 18 schools across the world with UWCSEA in Singapore hosting the largest student body, providing boarding for Grade 8 and above pupils. The UWC movement believes education should prepare young people for a life of leadership, service and meaningful action and students are selected based on their potential to make a positive impact on their local and global community.
Age: 4-18 years, boarding from Grade 8 (aged 13)
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
United World College South East Asia, www.uwcsea.edu.sg
Dulwich College Suzhou – Chinese boarding school leveraging international connections to provide unique experiences
Located in the picturesque city of Suzhou, famous for its classical gardens with canals, stone bridges and pagodas, Dulwich College is a co-education independent school offering full-time and flexible boarding. Students have the opportunity to undertake residencies with the Royal Shakespeare Company, enter works in the Saatchi Gallery Art Prize or collaborate with the University of Auckland Dance Studies as part of their studies.
Age: 2-18 years, boarding from Grade 10
Curriculum: British / IBDP
Dulwich College Suzhou, www.suzhou.dulwich.org
More Boarding Schools In Asia
- Branksome Hall Asia – Located in Jeju, South Korea, offers an IB program and boarding to girls, with boys set to join from August 2023, though boarding will remain for girls only. www.branksome.asia
- Keystone Academy — A unique bilingual immersion boarding school in Beijing drawing on eastern, western and global learning models. www.keystoneacademy.cn
- Jerudong International School – Co-educational through-train school surrounded by Brunei’s pristine rainforest with boarding from 10 years old. www.jerudonginternationalschool.com
- Rugby School Thailand – International boarding school offering a British curriculum with an award-winning co-curricular program. www.rugbyschool.ac.th
Read More: Montessori Schools In Hong Kong
Boarding Schools In The Rest Of The World
- Kambala – A girls-only boarding school in Australia with enviable views over Sydney Harbour and the opportunity to study either the Higher School Certificate or IB Diploma. www.kambala.nsw.edu.au
- Anglican Church Grammar School – Affectionately known as ‘Churchie’, this Brisbane boys boarding school has an illustrious reputation for rugby union amongst other sports. www.churchie.com.au
- Amadeus International School Vienna – Unique boarding school with an integrated Music and Arts Academy and German language lessons through to Grade 10.www.amadeus-vienna.com
- Le Rosey Switzerland – Prestigious 100% boarding school for 8-18 years with 20 different languages on offer through the IB or French Baccalaureate. www.rosey.ch
- Aiglon Switzerland – Guided by the ethos of Mind, Body, Spirit, programs offered include meditation, anime, Chinese medicine, beer brewing, activism, songwriting and expeditions in mountain biking, orienteering, kayaking and cross-country skiing. www.aiglon.ch
Read More: Extracurricular Activities: After-School Classes For Kids In Hong Kong
