Minnesota’s dominant boarding school is Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, known nationally for pre-professional Centers of Excellence in hockey, soccer, and figure skating alongside college-preparatory academics. Boarding costs $55,000–$75,000 per year in 2026 depending on program. The state also runs a tuition-free public residential arts academy.
Key facts about Minnesota boarding schools
- Shattuck-St. Mary’s hockey program has produced numerous NHL players, including Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews.
- Boarding costs $55,000–$75,000, varying by whether a student enters an elite athletic program.
- Centers of Excellence cover hockey, soccer, figure skating, golf, and engineering.
- The Perpich Center for Arts Education is a tuition-free public residential arts school for in-state juniors and seniors.
- Minnesota has few boarding schools overall — Shattuck draws students nationally and internationally.
Which are the top boarding schools in Minnesota?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding cost | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shattuck-St. Mary’s School | Faribault | Coed, 6–12, PG | ~$55,000–$75,000 | Centers of Excellence; elite hockey |
| Perpich Center for Arts Education | Golden Valley | Coed, 11–12 (public) | $0 for MN residents | Tuition-free residential arts |
The Centers of Excellence model
Shattuck-St. Mary’s organizes around pre-professional Centers of Excellence: students enroll in standard college-prep academics while training at a level normally reserved for national development programs. Hockey is the flagship — the program’s alumni include multiple first-overall NHL draft picks — but soccer, figure skating, golf, and engineering run on the same model.
This structure explains the tuition range. Standard boarding costs near $55,000; a hockey or figure skating Center adds coaching, ice time, travel, and equipment support, pushing the total to $70,000–$75,000. Ask for a written all-in figure per program rather than the headline tuition — the extras are covered in how much boarding school costs.
Who should consider Minnesota?
Shattuck suits a specific student: one with a serious, already-demonstrated commitment to a sport or discipline who needs training infrastructure their home region cannot provide. For a student without that focus, the same money buys broader academics elsewhere.
This is the clearest example of the “specialized program unavailable locally” case that justifies boarding cost — see is boarding school worth it. For athletes considering an extra development year, see the PG year. All states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Minnesota boarding school FAQ
What is the best boarding school in Minnesota?
Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Faribault is Minnesota's leading boarding school, best known for its Centers of Excellence — elite pre-professional programs in hockey, soccer, figure skating, golf, and engineering. Boarding tuition runs $55,000–$75,000 depending on the program a student enters.
Is Shattuck-St. Mary's a hockey school?
It is far more than that, but hockey is its most famous program. The Shattuck-St. Mary's hockey program has produced numerous NHL players including Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Nathan MacKinnon. The school also runs full college-preparatory academics and Centers of Excellence in other sports and in engineering.
How much do Minnesota boarding schools cost?
Minnesota boarding schools charge $55,000–$75,000 per year in 2025–26. At Shattuck-St. Mary's, cost depends on the program: standard boarding runs near $55,000, while elite athletic Centers of Excellence with additional coaching and ice time reach $70,000–$75,000.
Is there a free boarding school in Minnesota?
Yes. The Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley is a tuition-free public residential arts high school for Minnesota juniors and seniors. Students pay no tuition; modest fees may apply. Admission is by portfolio or audition and limited to state residents.
Sources
- Shattuck-St. Mary’s School: published tuition, program costs, and Centers of Excellence.
- Perpich Center for Arts Education: tuition-free residential arts program.