The Best Schools Money Can Buy
If you're sitting on massive amounts of wealth, there are far worse things to spend it on than your child's education. These 20 boarding schools are the best of the best, chosen based on academic performance, facilities, and exclusive acceptance rates. Of course, a few famous names and a hefty price tag attached doesn't hurt either (all fees are converted to USD).
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1. Institut Le Rosey
Regularly ranked the the best (and most expensive) boarding school in the world, Institut Le Rosey is the archetypal Swiss boarding school. It's also the only school to switch campuses seasonally; spring and autumn classes are held in the village of Rolle, while winter months move the entire student body to Gstaad. Tuition fees range from $130-160k and notable alumni include royalty, Rothschilds, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
2. Phillips Academy Andover
Located 25 miles of Boston, Philips Academy Andover was founded to fill educational gaps during the Revolutionary War. In addition to the world-class educational and athletic facilities, the school also includes two museums of art and archaeology. Tuition begins at $73k; the most famous alumni are Bushes elder and younger, as well as six Medal of Honor recipients and five Nobel laureates.
3. Eton College
Eton College needs no introduction; founded in 1440, Eton is England's largest, most prestigious, and most recognizable boarding school. Alumni are too numerous to list, including royalty, 20 UK Prime Ministers, and Nobel Laureates; tuition starts at $73K.
4. St. Stephen's School Rome
Perched atop the most prestigious of Rome's Seven Hills, St. Stephen's school is a stone's throw from some of the most recognizable monuments in Italy. This is a truly international school, founded as a haven for students around the world and attended by the children of diplomats and emissaries. Boarding fees start at $25K.
5. Amadeus International School
One of the newest schools on this list, Amadeus International School in Vienna focuses on an integrated arts program. Students from more than 65 countries train not only in the arts, but in a rigorous IB program. Tuition starts at $55K.
6. Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg
For tech titans and other billionaires, one school stands above them all: Institut auf dem Rosenberg in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Unlike other schools that hold onto tradition, Rosenberg places itself on the forefront of innovation, embracing AI, offering classes in investment, and even having a Boston Dynamics robot as a mascot. In the past few years, Rosenberg has overtaken Le Rosey as the most expensive school at $175K annually.
Instituts auf dem Rosenberg on Wikimedia
7. THINK Global School
The world's first traveling high school, THINK Global School doesn't confine students to the class room, or even one country. Over their two (or three) years at TGS, students explore 8 different countries to learn about history, culture, and community. Tuition starts at $94K.
8. Hurtwood House School
Hurtwood House bills itself as the most exciting school in England, and we're inclined to believe them. For example, their Christmas musical (this year's is Pippin) costs hundreds of thousands to put on with a full West End Band. Tuition starts at $65K and alumni include actress Emily Blunt and composer Hans Zimmer.
Jonathan Billinger on Wikimedia
9. St. George's International School
Education at St. George's International School starts early, accepting pupils aged 18 months to 18 years. This Swiss school focuses on academic achievements with some of the highest IB results around. Boarding tuition is around $126K, with the likes of Glenn Close as alumni.
10. Emma Willard School
The first American institution to offer higher education to women, the Emma Willard school remains girls-only 200 years after its foundation. Class sizes are small with a focus on curiosity, community, and justice. Boarding starts at $77K; unsurprisingly, alumni include trailblazing feminists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton
11. St. Andrew's School
If St. Andrew's School in Delaware looks familiar to you, you probably recognize it from Dead Poet's Society. Unlike the fictional Welton Academy, St. Andrew's is co-ed, with one of the largest campuses in the country...though no word on whether there are secret meetings in caves. Full tuition starts at $72k with ample financial assistance.
12. Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil
Collège Alpin International Beau Soleil (Beau Soleil for short) seeks to challenge students both in and out of the classroom. In addition to state-of-the-art academic and extracurricular facilities, students also go on expeditions to places as remote as Antarctica. Tuition is around $179K; alumni include the Royal Family of Luxembourg and Pablo Picasso's great-grandson.
13. Phillips Exeter Academy
Andover's historic rival, Phillips Exeter Academy was founded with the mission of empowering students. Exeter's tuition will set parents back $69K, though admissions are done on a need-blind basis, and the school is committed to offering financial aid. Alumni include Mark Zuckerberg, Franklin Pierce, and three Nobel Prize recipients.
James Garner Williams, uploaded by w:User:JWilliams on Wikimedia
14. Cardiff Sixth Form College
Cardiff Sixth Form College was established to help students with their A-Levels, and it really pays off! Cardiff is regularly ranked the top school for test results, with the vast majority of students achieving the highest possible grades. Tuition is around $65K.
15. Upper Canada College
Regularly called the most prestigious prep school in Canada, Upper Canada College was founded in 1829, closely modeled after the great public schools of Great Britain. Fittingly, this school maintains links to the UK Royal Family. Tuition is $77K for domestic students and even higher for international ones.
Maksim Sokolov (Maxergon) on Wikimedia
16. Bromsgrove International School Thailand
For elite students in Southeast Asia who don't want to travel to far from home, Bromsgrove International School takes inspiration from the British school of the same name. Delightfully, one thing that sets Bromsgrove apart from the rest is the 36-hole golf course on campus! Tuition ranges from $11K to $23K depending on age.
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17. Leysin American School In Switzerland
The school of Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and (confusingly, based on the name) the Saudi Royal Family, Leysin American School in Switzerland strives to create future leaders. Part of the campus was once a clinic for the world's richest families; now, it educates them. Tuition is 155K, not counting a suggest personal account of $12K/student.
18. St. Andrew's College
No, we didn't get confused and include the same school twice; St. Andrew's College is located in Aurora, Canada, though it has a similarly sprawling campus. St. Andrew's boasts a 100% university acceptance rate, several AP courses, and 22 different sports. Notable alumni include actors Stephen Amell and Kiefer Sutherland; tuition starts at $55K domestically.
19. Woodstock School
One of the oldest and most prestigious schools in Asia, Woodstock School in Mussorrie, India was founded by American missionaries. Cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas, this school challenges students to conquer their fear of heights, both literal and metaphorical. Adjusted for conversion, tuition is approximately $23K.
Woodstockschool at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
20. Aiglon College
Another Swiss school in a quaint alpine village, Aiglon College is known for its outdoor education. Not for the faint of heart, AIglon students are required to take part in mountain biking, kayaking, and ski mountaineering, among other challenges. Boarding fees are around $100K and alumni include a Greek princess and the former CFO of Google.
