Massachusetts has the highest concentration of boarding schools in the United States, led by Phillips Academy Andover, Groton School, Deerfield Academy, Milton Academy, and Middlesex School. Boarding tuition runs $63,000–$70,000 per year in 2026, and the state’s large endowments fund the deepest financial aid budgets in American secondary education.
Key facts about Massachusetts boarding schools
- Massachusetts has more boarding schools than any other US state.
- Phillips Academy Andover, founded 1778, is the oldest incorporated boarding school in the US and admits need-blind.
- Groton School reports acceptance rates near 10% — the lowest of any US boarding school.
- Boarding tuition in the state runs $63,000–$70,000 for 2025–26.
- Several of the nation’s dozen junior boarding schools (Fay, Fessenden, Eaglebrook, Bement) are in Massachusetts.
Which are the top boarding schools in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts boarding schools cluster in two areas: the Boston suburbs (Andover, Milton, Concord) and the Deerfield valley in the west. The table lists the leading schools with published figures — verify current numbers with each admission office.
| School | Town | Grades | Boarding tuition | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Academy Andover | Andover | 9–12, PG | ~$69,000 | ~15% |
| Groton School | Groton | 8–12 | ~$63,000 | ~10% |
| Deerfield Academy | Deerfield | 9–12, PG | ~$70,000 | ~20% |
| Milton Academy | Milton | 9–12 | ~$69,000 | ~25% |
| Middlesex School | Concord | 9–12 | ~$70,000 | ~20% |
| Northfield Mount Hermon | Mount Hermon | 9–12, PG | ~$71,000 | ~50% |
| Concord Academy | Concord | 9–12 | ~$70,000 | ~30% |
| Tabor Academy | Marion | 9–12, PG | ~$68,000 | ~45% |
| Cushing Academy | Ashburnham | 9–12, PG | ~$69,000 | ~60% |
| Wilbraham & Monson Academy | Wilbraham | 6–12, PG | ~$65,000 | ~65% |
What if the elite schools are out of reach?
Massachusetts has depth beyond the famous names: Northfield Mount Hermon, Tabor, Cushing, and Wilbraham & Monson admit 45–65% of applicants while offering the same residential structure, small classes, and college counseling. A student in the top quartile at one of these schools often gets more attention, leadership, and aid than one at the bottom of an elite class.
Calibrate your list with acceptance rates, and check what aid is realistic in boarding school financial aid — Massachusetts endowments make full-aid outcomes more common here than anywhere else.
Junior boarding options in Massachusetts
Massachusetts hosts four of the nation’s dozen junior boarding schools: Fay School (Southborough), Fessenden School (West Newton, boys), Eaglebrook School (Deerfield, boys), and Bement School (Deerfield). They serve grades 4–9 at $60,000–$80,000 and specialize in placement into the secondary schools listed above. Details in junior boarding schools.
Browse other states in best boarding schools by state, or the national picture in the best boarding schools in the US.
Massachusetts boarding school FAQ
What is the best boarding school in Massachusetts?
Phillips Academy Andover is the most prominent Massachusetts boarding school, with a need-blind admission policy and roughly 15% acceptance rate. Groton School is the most selective in the state at around 10%. Deerfield Academy, Milton Academy, and Middlesex School round out the top tier.
How much do Massachusetts boarding schools cost?
Massachusetts boarding schools charge $63,000–$70,000 per year for boarding students in 2025–26. Andover runs approximately $69,000 and Groton approximately $63,000. Both are free for families below published income thresholds, and roughly half of Andover students receive some financial aid.
Why does Massachusetts have so many boarding schools?
Massachusetts has the highest concentration of US boarding schools because of the state's early academy movement — Phillips Academy Andover was founded in 1778 — plus dense 19th-century wealth around Boston that endowed institutions permanently. Those endowments now fund the deepest financial aid budgets in the country.
Are there junior boarding schools in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts hosts several of the country's dozen junior boarding schools, including Fay School in Southborough, Fessenden School in West Newton, Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, and Bement School in Deerfield, serving grades 4–9 at $60,000–$80,000 per year.
Sources
- Phillips Academy Andover, Groton School, Deerfield Academy: published tuition and admission data.
- The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS): Massachusetts member directory.
- Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE): regional school listings.