Boarding school acceptance rates range from about 10% at the most selective schools — Groton, Exeter, Andover, St. Paul’s — to 60% or higher at strong regional schools. Most US boarding schools admit 30–60% of applicants. Selectivity measures applicant volume, not quality; matriculation lists are the better quality signal.
Key facts about acceptance rates
- Elite tier acceptance rates: roughly 10–20% (Groton, Exeter, Andover, St. Paul’s, Choate).
- Most US boarding schools admit 30–60% of applicants.
- Grade 9 has the most open seats; grades 11–12 entry is the most competitive per seat.
- Acceptance rates are self-reported and unaudited — schools publish them selectively.
- Financial aid applicants face effectively lower admit rates at need-aware schools; a few are need-blind.
Acceptance rates by selectivity tier
Exact single-year figures shift, so plan against tiers; verify current rates directly with each school’s admission office during your visit, since published numbers can lag or be framed favorably.
| Tier | Acceptance rate | Example schools | Typical SSAT median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most selective | ~10–20% | Groton, Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover, St. Paul’s, Choate | 85th–95th percentile |
| Highly selective | ~20–35% | Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Middlesex | 75th–90th percentile |
| Selective | ~35–50% | Strong regional prep schools | 60th–80th percentile |
| Accessible | ~50–75% | Regional, religious, and military boarding schools | 40th–70th percentile |
How do you improve your admission odds?
You improve boarding school odds most by list construction: include at least two schools where your child’s SSAT and grades sit above the median, apply for grade 9 entry when possible, and demonstrate one distinctive strength consistently across essays, recommendations, and the interview. A single-school or all-elite list is the most common failure mode.
Build the application itself with the application timeline and interview preparation. For target schools, start from the best boarding schools in the US.
Acceptance rates FAQ
What is the hardest boarding school to get into?
The most selective US boarding schools are Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Groton School, and St. Paul's School, each reporting acceptance rates between roughly 10% and 20% in recent cycles. Groton has published rates near 10%, among the lowest of any US boarding school.
How can you improve your chances of boarding school admission?
Improve your odds by applying to a balanced list of 6–10 schools, scoring above each school's SSAT median, demonstrating one deep documented talent, showing genuine student-driven interest in interviews, and applying for grade 9 entry, which has the most open seats. Applying only to sub-20% schools is the most common list error.
Do boarding schools have higher acceptance rates for boarders than day students?
Often yes, at schools enrolling both. Boarding seats draw from a national pool but have more capacity per class; local day seats at the same school can be more competitive because the applicant pool concentrates in one metro area. Ask each school for separate boarding and day admit rates.
Is a 50% acceptance rate boarding school still good?
Yes. Acceptance rate measures applicant volume, not education quality. Many excellent boarding schools admit 40–60% of applicants because they draw smaller, self-selected pools. Judge schools by matriculation lists, faculty credentials, and retention rates rather than selectivity alone.
Sources
- Phillips Exeter Academy and Groton School: published admission statistics.
- The Enrollment Management Association: SSAT percentile context.