Wisconsin has two principal boarding schools: Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, the state’s oldest independent school, and St. John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield, which combines military-structured and traditional programs. Boarding tuition runs $45,000–$55,000 per year in 2026, below the national average.
Key facts about Wisconsin boarding schools
- Boarding tuition runs $45,000–$55,000 per year — $10,000–$15,000 below the national average.
- Wayland Academy, founded 1855, is Wisconsin’s oldest independent boarding school.
- St. John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield has historic military roots and JROTC programming.
- Both campuses sit between Milwaukee and Madison, within roughly an hour of both cities.
- Both schools enroll substantial international boarding populations.
Which are the boarding schools in Wisconsin?
| School | City | Type | Boarding tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland Academy | Beaver Dam | Coed, 9–12, PG | ~$52,000 | Founded 1855; strong arts; international enrollment |
| St. John’s Northwestern Academies | Delafield | Coed, 7–12 | ~$48,000 | Military heritage; structured program |
Wisconsin’s cost position
Both Wisconsin schools deliver conventional college-preparatory boarding — faculty in residence, small classes, competitive athletics, supervised study — at $45,000–$55,000, roughly $10,000–$15,000 below the national private boarding average and $20,000 below elite New England schools.
The trade-off, consistent across lower-cost regions, is endowment: smaller aid budgets mean families needing substantial assistance may end up paying less at a wealthier Northeastern school. Run both scenarios using boarding school financial aid before assuming the cheaper sticker price is the cheaper outcome.
Regional alternatives
Wisconsin families building a full application list typically add nearby states: Minnesota for Shattuck-St. Mary’s specialized programs, Illinois for Lake Forest Academy and the tuition-free IMSA, and Indiana for Culver Academies.
Structured-program options are compared in military boarding schools. All states: best boarding schools by state.
Wisconsin boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has two main boarding schools: Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, a coed college-preparatory school founded in 1855, and St. John's Northwestern Academies in Delafield, which combines military-structured and traditional programs. Both charge $45,000–$55,000 per year.
How much do Wisconsin boarding schools cost?
Wisconsin boarding schools charge $45,000–$55,000 per year in 2025–26 — roughly $10,000–$15,000 below the national private boarding average. Both main schools offer need-based financial aid through the standard SSS/PFS process.
What is Wayland Academy known for?
Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, founded in 1855, is Wisconsin's oldest independent boarding school. It is known for small class sizes, a strong arts program, and a substantial international student population on a compact residential campus between Milwaukee and Madison.
Is St. John's Northwestern a military school?
Partly. St. John's Northwestern Academies in Delafield has historic military roots and continues to offer a structured, JROTC-influenced program alongside traditional academics. As with military schools generally, there is no service obligation for graduates.
Sources
- Wayland Academy and St. John’s Northwestern Academies: published tuition and admission data.
- ISACS: Midwest independent school directory.