How much does boarding school cost?

Published tuition you can check

Examples spread across the sample's price range. Open the school's published source to confirm the year, boarding arrangement, and included expenses.

Financial aid is not a percentage discount

A figure such as “40% of students receive aid” describes how many students receive an award. It does not mean tuition is reduced by 40%, and it cannot tell you what your family will receive. Ask each school about eligibility, required documents, deadlines, and the expenses its award covers.

For planning, subtract only your actual annual award from tuition, then add required fees and your family's other expenses. Before an award is confirmed, keep full tuition as one budget scenario rather than treating an estimated award as guaranteed.

What to check beyond tuition

Room, meals & required fees

Confirm whether the quoted boarding rate includes room and meals, and request an itemized list of mandatory fees.

Travel & school breaks

Budget from your own travel plans. Ask whether the dorms close during breaks and whether transport is provided.

Books, equipment & activities

Ask about books, a laptop, uniforms, sports equipment, trips, and activities that are billed separately.

Insurance & payment terms

Check health insurance requirements, deposits, payment-plan charges, and refund terms before committing.

For a four-year budget, project each year's tuition, aid, and extra expenses separately. Multiplying today's price by four is a baseline, not a promise that future bills will stay the same.

Start with your family's budget

Tell Claire your child's grade, the schools you are considering, and what you can spend each year. She can help compare published figures and identify the questions to take back to each school.