When it comes to high-quality education in a nurturing and structured environment, boarding schools in Idaho are among the most respected in the United States. Nestled in the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, these schools offer a balance of strong academics, extracurricular activities, character-building, and personal growth opportunities.

In this article, we explore the top 15 boarding schools in Idaho and their fees, giving you an in-depth look at their programs, facilities, and unique advantages.

Top 15 Boarding Schools In Idaho And Fees

1. Riverstone International School – Boise, ID

Riverstone International School is one of Idaho’s most prestigious private boarding schools, known for its International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. It emphasizes academic excellence, critical thinking, and a global perspective. The school hosts a diverse community of local and international students, creating a multicultural learning atmosphere.

Riverstone focuses on five pillars: academic excellence, community and service, leadership by example, international understanding, and outdoor education. The outdoor education program is particularly popular, offering trips into Idaho’s wilderness to build resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Tuition Fees: Boarding fees at Riverstone International School average $60,000 – $65,000 per year, depending on grade level and boarding options.

2. Sun Valley Community School – Sun Valley, ID

Sun Valley Community School is a college-preparatory boarding and day school with a strong reputation for academics, athletics, and the arts. Located in the heart of the Sun Valley resort area, the school offers students unmatched access to outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking, and climbing.

The school emphasizes experiential learning and provides personalized academic paths for each student. Sun Valley Community School also hosts international students, offering a global environment. Its boarding program, known as the “Residence Hall Program,” ensures close mentoring and community building among students.

Tuition Fees: Boarding students typically pay $55,000 – $60,000 annually, which includes tuition, housing, and meals.

3. Ambrose School – Meridian, ID

The Ambrose School offers a classical Christian education rooted in biblical principles. The school prepares students not only academically but also spiritually, emphasizing character development, faith, and leadership.

The curriculum blends traditional subjects with a strong focus on philosophy, logic, and theology. Boarding students benefit from a family-like environment with structured routines that promote responsibility and accountability. Ambrose also integrates arts, debate, and athletics into its program, ensuring a well-rounded education.

Tuition Fees: Boarding students can expect fees around $30,000 – $35,000 per year, inclusive of tuition and housing.

4. Alzar School – Cascade, ID

Alzar School is unique because it combines traditional academics with leadership training and cultural immersion. Students split their time between Idaho and international campuses in Chile, providing a truly global education.

The program includes outdoor adventures such as rafting, climbing, and backpacking, designed to instill confidence and resilience. With small class sizes, Alzar emphasizes mentorship and personal growth. It’s ideal for students seeking both academic rigor and real-world experiences.

Tuition Fees: Boarding tuition is approximately $35,000 – $45,000 per academic term, depending on programs selected.

5. Gem State Adventist Academy – Caldwell, ID

This Christian boarding school provides a faith-centered education with a strong sense of community. Gem State Adventist Academy offers a curriculum that blends academics with practical life skills, community service, and spiritual development.

Students are encouraged to participate in church activities, music, athletics, and outreach programs. The school’s mission is to nurture Christian values alongside academic learning. Its relatively affordable tuition makes it a popular choice for families seeking a religious-based boarding education.

Tuition Fees: Annual boarding tuition is around $20,000 – $25,000, making it one of the more affordable options in Idaho.

6. Northwest Academy – Naples, ID

Northwest Academy is a therapeutic boarding school designed for students who need additional support with behavioral, academic, or emotional challenges. It combines personalized education with therapy and life-skills training.

Students work closely with licensed therapists, teachers, and mentors in a structured yet nurturing environment. The focus is on rebuilding confidence, improving relationships, and preparing for college or vocational paths.

Tuition Fees: Tuition costs average $70,000 – $80,000 per year, reflecting the school’s intensive therapeutic services.

7. Boulder Creek Academy – Bonners Ferry, ID

Boulder Creek Academy is another therapeutic boarding school, known for helping students with learning differences, ADHD, depression, or other emotional struggles. It blends academics with therapy, outdoor education, and personal development.

Students benefit from individualized academic plans and therapeutic group sessions. The school emphasizes building self-esteem and preparing students for independent living.

Tuition Fees: Annual costs range between $65,000 – $75,000, depending on student needs.

8. Project Patch Youth Ranch – Garden Valley, ID

Project Patch offers a faith-based therapeutic program designed for troubled teens. The school focuses on helping students overcome behavioral challenges, heal emotionally, and reestablish positive relationships with their families.

The program includes academics, counseling, work programs, and spiritual guidance. Outdoor activities in Idaho’s natural landscapes are used as therapeutic tools, teaching teamwork and responsibility.

Tuition Fees: Annual boarding fees average $35,000 – $40,000.

9. Clearview Girls Academy – Heron, ID

Clearview Girls Academy is an all-girls therapeutic boarding school that focuses on academic success, therapy, and spiritual growth. It’s tailored for students facing emotional or behavioral struggles, such as anxiety, trauma, or substance use.

The school combines therapy sessions, academic coursework, and a structured daily schedule. Clearview’s mission is to help girls rebuild their confidence and life goals while ensuring strong academic outcomes.

Tuition Fees: Boarding tuition averages $50,000 – $60,000 per year.

10. Stillwater Academy – Boise, ID

Stillwater Academy blends academics with therapeutic support, targeting students struggling with behavioral or emotional challenges. The school emphasizes personalized learning, counseling, and real-world skills.

Students enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, while also working closely with counselors to develop coping strategies. The supportive environment helps students rediscover their confidence and academic motivation.

Tuition Fees: Around $40,000 – $50,000 per year.

11. Idaho Connects Online School with Boarding Option – Boise, ID

This innovative program combines online learning with a boarding option, giving students the flexibility of virtual classrooms alongside in-person supervision and mentoring.

It’s particularly suitable for students with unique learning needs or those engaged in extracurricular commitments like sports or arts. The blended model ensures both academic accountability and personal independence.

Tuition Fees: Annual fees are typically $25,000 – $30,000, depending on boarding arrangements.

12. Treasure Valley Christian School – Payette, ID

Treasure Valley Christian School provides faith-based education with a strong emphasis on academics, morality, and community service. Boarding students benefit from a structured daily routine that balances studies with spiritual activities.

The school offers athletics, music, and mission trips, fostering well-rounded development. Parents seeking an affordable Christian boarding option in Idaho often find this school a good fit.

Tuition Fees: Boarding fees average $18,000 – $22,000 per year, making it one of the most affordable choices in the state.

13. Ascent Program – Naples, ID

Ascent is a wilderness-based therapeutic program for teens who need intervention due to behavioral or emotional struggles. The school provides therapy in a structured outdoor setting, helping students build resilience, independence, and teamwork.

Ascent integrates academics into the program, ensuring students don’t fall behind while receiving therapy. It’s known for its intensive focus on personal growth and accountability.

Tuition Fees: Costs range from $30,000 – $40,000 per year, depending on duration and services.

14. Lutherhaven Outdoor Academy – Coeur d’Alene, ID

Lutherhaven Outdoor Academy provides a unique blend of faith-based academics and outdoor adventure programs. Students live and learn in a Christian community while participating in activities such as canoeing, hiking, and wilderness survival.

The school emphasizes character-building, faith, and stewardship of the environment. Its small class sizes create a personalized and family-like atmosphere.

Tuition Fees: Boarding fees typically range from $15,000 – $20,000 annually, making it highly affordable.

15. Whitestone Academy – Troy, ID

Whitestone Academy is a therapeutic boarding school that works with students struggling with academic underperformance, emotional struggles, or behavioral challenges. The program focuses on individualized learning, therapy, and life coaching.

Students learn responsibility, build resilience, and receive counseling alongside their academic work. Whitestone is particularly effective for students who need one-on-one mentoring and structure.

Tuition Fees: Annual costs average $45,000 – $55,000.

Why Choose a Boarding School in Idaho?

Idaho’s boarding schools offer a variety of educational experiences, from elite college-prep institutions to therapeutic academies designed for emotional support. Families are drawn to Idaho for its affordable cost of living, natural beauty, and the nurturing yet structured environment these schools provide.

Parents can choose based on their child’s specific needs, whether it’s advanced academics, outdoor adventures, or therapeutic support.

Conclusion

The top 15 boarding schools in Idaho provide families with diverse options for shaping their children’s futures. Whether you’re seeking an academically rigorous international program like Riverstone, a faith-based affordable choice like Treasure Valley Christian, or therapeutic support at schools like Northwest Academy, Idaho has something for every family.

When selecting a school, consider your child’s academic goals, emotional needs, and long-term aspirations. Boarding school is more than just an education—it’s an investment in personal growth, discipline, and lifelong success

Top 15 Boarding Schools In Idaho And Fees (2025)