For the 2025 school year, there are 118 junior boarding schools serving 40,049 students located throughout the United States and Canada.
Junior boarding schools offer boarding opportunities for students grades 8 or lower.
Note that some boarding schools focus exclusively on the junior boarding experience (and offer only junior boarding grades), while other schools offer both junior and college-prep boarding grades.
Sending your son or daughter to a progressive school sounds like a real leap of faith. It is until you look more closely at the kind of education your child will receive. Then you will understand the idealism in action which progressive schools embody.
We compare and contrast the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement. We also explore their distinct educational philosophies, curriculum structures, assessment methods, and global recognition to help students and parents make informed decisions about which rigorous academic program best suits their educational goals and learning preferences.
The concept of outdoor education dates back to the early 20th century as educators sought ways to engage students beyond traditional methods. Early efforts initially focused on direct, experiential learning in nature, but later evolved to incorporate academics, collaborative skills, and a focus on environmental responsibility. Outdoor education today equips students with critical life skills, preparing them for the world beyond the classroom.