Delaware has one significant boarding school: St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, a fully residential coed Episcopal school for grades 9–12. Tuition runs approximately $65,000 per year in 2026, but an unusually large endowment relative to its roughly 320 students funds some of the deepest financial aid in American secondary education.
Key facts about boarding school in Delaware
- St. Andrew’s School is Delaware’s only nationally significant boarding school.
- It is 100% boarding — every student lives on campus, as do faculty.
- Enrollment is roughly 320 students, small even by boarding school standards.
- Its endowment per student ranks among the highest of any US boarding school, funding deep need-based aid.
- Dead Poets Society (1989) was filmed on the campus.
St. Andrew’s School
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Andrew’s School | Middletown | Coed, 9–12, all boarding (Episcopal) | ~$65,000 | ~320 |
Why the endowment matters more than the sticker price
St. Andrew’s was founded in 1929 with a du Pont family endowment and has never enrolled many students, which leaves it with endowment resources per student comparable to the wealthiest New England schools. In practice this means the published $65,000 substantially overstates what most admitted families pay — the school structures aid so that tuition is capped relative to income for a large share of families.
The practical implication: do not rule out St. Andrew’s on price before submitting the aid application. The mechanics are in boarding school financial aid, and schools with comparable policies are listed in free boarding schools.
Regional alternatives
With a single boarding school, Delaware cannot support a full application list. Families here typically apply across the mid-Atlantic — Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland are all within a two-hour drive and add dozens of options.
All states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Delaware boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Delaware?
Delaware has essentially one significant boarding school: St. Andrew's School in Middletown, a coed Episcopal school for grades 9–12 where all students board. Despite the state's small size, St. Andrew's is nationally regarded and among the most generously endowed boarding schools per student in the US.
How much does St. Andrew's School cost?
St. Andrew's School charges approximately $65,000 per year for boarding in 2025–26, but its large endowment relative to a roughly 320-student enrollment funds exceptionally deep need-based aid. The school caps tuition as a percentage of family income for many families, so published tuition significantly overstates typical cost.
Was Dead Poets Society filmed at St. Andrew's?
Yes. The 1989 film Dead Poets Society was filmed largely on the St. Andrew's School campus in Middletown, Delaware. The school's Gothic architecture and lakeside setting stood in for the fictional Welton Academy.
Is St. Andrew's all boarding?
Yes. St. Andrew's School is fully residential — every student boards, and faculty live on campus. This is unusual in American boarding education and means the campus stays active on weekends rather than emptying out as it does at schools with large day populations.
Sources
- St. Andrew’s School: published tuition, financial aid policy, and enrollment.
- TABS: member school listings.