Missouri has two principal boarding schools: Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri, an all-boys JROTC school, and Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, a very small classically focused coed school. Both charge $40,000–$50,000 per year in 2026 — well below the national boarding average.
Key facts about Missouri boarding schools
- Boarding tuition runs $40,000–$50,000 per year — roughly $15,000 below the national average.
- Missouri Military Academy enrolls boys in grades 7–12 with JROTC structure and no service obligation.
- Thomas Jefferson School typically enrolls under 100 students, among the smallest US boarding schools.
- Thomas Jefferson School requires Latin as part of a classical curriculum.
- St. Louis and Kansas City are otherwise day school markets.
Which are the boarding schools in Missouri?
| School | City | Type | Boarding tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Military Academy | Mexico, MO | Boys, 7–12, PG | ~$42,000–$48,000 | JROTC; founded 1889; international enrollment |
| Thomas Jefferson School | St. Louis | Coed, 7–12 | ~$45,000 | Under 100 students; classical curriculum, required Latin |
Thomas Jefferson School: boarding at minimum scale
Thomas Jefferson School is an outlier worth understanding. With enrollment typically under 100 students, it offers a classical curriculum with required Latin and class sizes that can fall into the single digits — closer to a tutorial than a conventional school.
That scale cuts both ways. Academic attention is exceptional, but the social pool is tiny, athletic offerings are limited, and a student who does not click with the cohort has few alternatives. It suits an intellectually serious student who is socially self-sufficient. Test fit carefully using the 12-question readiness checklist.
Missouri Military Academy
Missouri Military Academy, founded in 1889, enrolls boys in grades 7–12 under a JROTC structure with rank, uniforms, and a cadet corps, at roughly $42,000–$48,000 including uniforms. As with military schools generally, it is a structured college-preparatory institution rather than a behavioral program, and it screens out applicants in crisis — the distinction matters and is covered in military boarding schools.
Regional alternatives are in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota. All states: best boarding schools by state.
Missouri boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Missouri?
Missouri has two main boarding schools: Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri, an all-boys JROTC school for grades 7–12, and Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis, a small academically rigorous coed school. Both charge $40,000–$50,000 per year.
How much does Missouri Military Academy cost?
Missouri Military Academy charges approximately $42,000–$48,000 per year for boarding cadets in 2025–26, including uniforms and most fees — below the national private boarding average of $60,000-plus. Financial aid and merit scholarships are available.
What is Thomas Jefferson School known for?
Thomas Jefferson School in St. Louis is known for academic rigor at very small scale — enrollment is typically under 100 students, with a classical curriculum and required Latin. It is one of the smallest boarding schools in the United States.
Is Missouri Military Academy for troubled teens?
No. Missouri Military Academy is a college-preparatory school with military structure that screens out applicants with serious behavioral issues, as most military academies do. Teens in crisis require clinical settings with different licensing and oversight standards.
Sources
- Missouri Military Academy and Thomas Jefferson School: published tuition and admission data.
- AMCSUS: military academy directory.
- ISACS: Midwest independent school directory.