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13 best boarding schools in Los Angeles, California 2025

This content was developed and approved with active participation of Valentina Nikitina.

In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Education_in_Los_Angeles
  • https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/rankings/los-angeles-ca-31080
Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
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Boarding Schools in Los Angeles. Guide for foreign students

In the United States today, there exists a vast landscape of approximately 29,000 private boarding schools. With no uniform standard for secondary education, these institutions offer diverse programs, teaching methodologies, and academic rigor levels. Notably, boarding schools in Los Angeles, California, stand out for their well-rounded schedules and exceptional accommodations, making them an attractive choice for international students.

A Haven for Excellence and Safety

The top boarding schools in California extend comprehensive support to students, encompassing both educational and residential aspects. These institutions provide students with room and board, meticulously curate their free time, and maintain a safe and secure campus environment. For foreign students, this arrangement offers a remarkable convenience, especially when their parents reside in another country. Traditionally, the best boarding schools in California adhere to stringent academic standards and embrace cultural diversity. Smaller class sizes enable educators to engage with students on an individual basis, fostering academic growth. Moreover, the controlled yet moderately free environment nurtures self-confidence and hones vital social skills.

Enriching Extracurricular Experiences

Boarding schools in Southern California commonly feature a wide array of extracurricular activities and encourage active participation in various events. For instance, The Kings Academy's school choir had the honor of performing at the inaugurations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Donald Trump.

Some California boarding schools maintain separate campuses for boys and girls, reflecting the popularity of single-sex education in the state. This approach often leads to heightened focus on academic pursuits. Additionally, top boarding schools in California offer specialized environments tailored to specific areas of study. For instance, students at The Athenian School in California gain hands-on experience building airplanes as part of their Engineering Design class. Strong academic emphasis on mathematics and physics is evident, with 24–27 students earning invitations to Stanford University each year to continue their studies.

 

Simon Kizhner
Regional Admissions representative, EMEA

What are the most important questions parents ask when choosing a school in the USA?

The main thing to consider is how the chosen school suits your child, his habits, ambitions, interests. In principle, the criteria that are taken into account in the rankings will become good determinants: class size, names of universities that graduates choose, composition of the student community, location, etc.

 

Boarding Schools in Los Angeles. Costs and Fees for foreign students

Tuition fees for the top boarding schools in Los Angeles, California, can range based on factors including school location, program offerings, and faculty size. Typically, annual tuition costs range from $25,000 to $70,000, which regularly include room and board in school residences or with host families.

Many parents and students find that the overall benefits of a boarding school education far outweigh the associated expenses. Living independently fosters self-discipline, and the educational system encourages vital, independent thinking. Graduating from an American boarding school opens doors to universities worldwide, thanks to the school's reputation. Students also enhance their English skills and become completely immersed in a rich cultural environment. These advantages give an explanation for why hundreds of local and foreign students choose to leave their homes and pursue their schooling at American boarding schools.

How to apply to Boarding Schools in Los Angeles for foreign students?

Applying to boarding schools in Los Angeles as a foreign pupil can be a comprehensive process, but it could open doors to an enriching academic experience in one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the United States. Here's a general description of the steps involved in the application process:

Research and School Selection. Start by researching and figuring out the boarding schools in Los Angeles that align with your educational and personal desires. Consider elements including vicinity, educational programs, extracurricular offerings, and available scholarships for foreign students.

Admission Requirements. Carefully consider the admission requirements for each school, as they can differ. Common requirements include academic transcripts, standardized test scores (the SSAT or ISEE), letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, and proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers).

Financial Planning. Determine the fee of tuition, boarding, and additional prices for each school. Investigate scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities for foreign students, as many boarding schools are dedicated to making their programs available to a diverse range of students.

Application Submission. Complete the application forms for your chosen boarding schools, paying close attention to deadlines. Make sure all required documents, essays, and fees are submitted in accordance with the school's policies.

Interview and Campus Visit: Some schools can also require an interview, which can be carried out in person or online. If feasible, do not forget to consider the schools you are interested in to get a feel for the campus, meet with admissions staff, and learn more about the community.

Admission Decision. After filing your application, you'll need to await the school's admission decision. The admissions committee will check your academic qualifications, recommendations, and basic match with the school's mission and community.

Enrollment: If accepted, you'll receive an acceptance letter and instructions for enrollment. Be sure to complete all important forms and deposits to steady your spot at the school.

Top 10 Best Boarding Schools in Los Angeles, California

  • North Broward Preparatory School
  • Phillips Academy Andover
  • The Storm King School New York
  • Red Bank Catholic High School
  • Windermere Preparatory School
  • Shattuck St. Mary's School
  • Cheshire Academy
  • Cate School
  • Ross School
  • Deerfield Academy

6 best boarding schools in Los Angeles 2025 rankings

1 Amerigo Los Angeles – Bishop Montgomery High School
2 Webb Schools
3 Amerigo Los Angeles Middle School
4 Idyllwild Arts Academy
5 Southwestern Academy
6 South Hills Academy

Advantages and disadvantages of English schools

Advantages Disadvantages
The opportunity to enter the best universities in England, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, the world Expensive
High quality of education and academic standards Strong workload
Perfect English after graduation The need to change the social environment; it takes time to adapt
Useful contacts The difficulty of choosing the most suitable school for the child, requires a qualified specialist

Top 35 best schools in the USA - 2025 Smapse rankings

1 North Broward Preparatory School
2 Phillips Academy Andover
3 The Storm King School New York
4 Red Bank Catholic High School
5 Windermere Preparatory School
6 Shattuck St Mary's School
7 Cheshire Academy
8 Cate School
9 Ross School
10 Deerfield Academy
11 The Village School
12 Amerigo Los Angeles – Bishop Montgomery High School
13 Webb Schools
14 Kent School USA
15 The Winchendon School
16 Darlington School
17 Marian Catholic High School Amerigo Education
18 Grier School
19 The MacDuffie School
20 CATS Academy Boston
21 The Cambridge School of Weston
22 Milton Academy
23 Amerigo Education Napa Valley
24 American Hebrew Academy
25 Northfield Mount Hermon School
26 Mater Dei Catholic High School San Diego Amerigo Education
27 American University Preparatory School Los Angeles
28 Webb Schools
29 Kent School USA
30 Groton School
31 Maine Central Institute
32 The Lawrenceville School
33 Grand River Academy Ohio
34 Saint John Paul II Academy
35 Chicago North Shore

Top 14 best schools in Switzerland 2025

1 College Du Leman
2 St. Georges School Montreux
3 Institut Monte Rosa
4 Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz
5 Saint-Charles Collège et Lycée
6 Leysin American School
7 Hochalpines Institut Ftan AG High Alpine
8 Aiglon College Switzerland
9 Institut Le Rosey School
10 Institut Montana Zugerberg
11 Champittet College
12 Brillantmont International School
13 Surval Montreux
14 Ecole Pre Fleuri
Reviews/Comments/Questions
Irene Stone
(11.02.2021)
Prepared for admission to california and immediately faced a lot of difficulties. Thank you for advising private boarding schools in california and helping you make the right choice. It was very professional. We listened to the comments and recommendations, they were all fair and in the case. We will recommend the company to friends for submission of documents to california universities.
Jay Oliver
(11.02.2021)
I would like to thank your employees for helping my son enroll in high school boarding schools in california. I would especially like to note: the efficiency of our managers. Thank you for always being in touch. Sometimes an unfamiliar situation gives rise to a lot of questions and confusion, it is very important that everything could be discussed immediately. Good organization of the admission process to boarding schools in california has played an important role in our success. Thank you very much!
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Jay, thank you very much for sharing your experience! We are always happy to help you! Regards, Smapse Education
Angela
(04.01.2021)
I would like to express my deep gratitude to the company for their help in entering boarding schools in california. Thank you not only for the advice, but also for your help in choosing the best boarding schools in california, preparation of documents and just a good human attitude. We were glad to start with you such a serious way of studying abroad.
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Thank you very much for sharing your experience! We are always happy to help you! Regards, Smapse Education
Jenny
(04.01.2021)
Thank you to all of your staff for the professional work of getting my children to boarding schools in california. Thank you for suggesting the best time to apply for a selection of top boarding middle schools. I recommend you to all parents who want a better future for their children. Thank you very much.
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Dear Jenny, Thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure helping you to find the most perfect schools for your children!
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Valentina Nikitina
Senior Marketing and Recruitment Manager at Kaplan Pathways with a focus on students from Russia and the CIS.

Valentina has been working as a Recruitment Manager and then Head of Recruitment for CIS & Europe at Kaplan International Pathways for more than 7 years. She is a Lomonosov Moscow State University graduate and has more than 10 years of experience in higher education. She considers attending a high school important to prepare for the educational format in the country. However, Valentina notes that only a well-rounded, unique profile demonstrating potential to excel and contribute to the university's reputation makes an application stand out.

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