Top 7 Boarding Schools In Midwest And Fees (2025)

The Midwest is home to a broad range of boarding schools — from collegiate-style campuses with deep athletic traditions, to nationally renowned arts academies and boutique preparatory schools. Families choose boarding for focused academics, immersive extracurriculars, strong college counseling, and a community that builds independence.

Top Boarding Schools In Midwest And Fees

1) Culver Academies — Culver, Indiana

Culver is a standout Midwest boarding option that combines college-prep academics with distinctive leadership and equestrian programs. The school actually consists of complementary divisions (Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls Academy) on a scenic lakeside campus, giving students a residential, close-knit environment with serious athletic, arts, and leadership offerings. Culver emphasizes character education, leadership training, and hands-on opportunities — horsemanship and the lakefront campus (rowing, sailing) are signature experiences. Families also note Culver’s strong alumni network and robust extracurriculars, from competitive teams to creative arts ensembles. Boarding tuition (room, board, instruction) is published by the school and is in the high-six-figure per-year range for total cost of attendance.

Quick fit check: Great if your child wants leadership structure, equestrian options, or a lakefront campus with deep traditions.

2) Shattuck-St. Mary’s School — Faribault, Minnesota

Shattuck-St. Mary’s (SSM) is known for strong STEM options, a global student body, and outstanding athletics — especially hockey — combined with serious academic preparation. It also houses highly regarded pre-professional programs in medicine and engineering pathways. The school highlights substantial financial aid availability (a large portion of families receive assistance) and offers a full campus life with varied externships and summer opportunities. Published tuition for domestic boarding students is clearly listed on SSM’s admissions site; the school posts its boarding tuition and notes significant financial-aid commitments for qualified families.

Quick fit check: A top pick for students aiming at STEM, athletics, or pre-professional tracks with a supportive financial-aid culture.

3) Western Reserve Academy — Hudson, Ohio

Western Reserve Academy (WRA) blends rigorous academics with a residential culture where most students live on campus. It’s well known for small classes, strong college counseling, and a broad selection of Advanced and Honors courses. Beyond the classroom, WRA’s programs emphasize leadership, outdoor education and community service. The school posts its boarding tuition on the official site and in admissions materials.

Quick fit check: Ideal for families who want selective academics, close faculty mentoring, and an engaged campus community.

4) Lake Forest Academy — Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest Academy (LFA) is a historic Midwestern boarding school on a leafy campus north of Chicago. LFA prides itself on a rigorous curriculum, international student presence, and an emphasis on both STEM and humanities. The school’s campus life mixes competitive athletics and arts programs, and its college counseling track record is strong. LFA publishes boarding tuition and fee packages on its admissions pages.

Quick fit check: A very good match for students seeking a traditional New-England-style prep experience but in the Midwest, with a strong international community.

5) Wayland Academy — Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Wayland combines rigorous academics with character development and service learning on a medium-sized campus. The school emphasizes accessible financial aid and multiple boarding options (including 5-day/7-day programs in some years) — useful for families who want a boarding rhythm that still allows frequent weekends at home. Wayland’s admissions pages list the current boarding tuition and financial aid opportunities.

Quick fit check: Good for students who want a balanced program of academics, athletics, and close community life with flexible boarding rhythms.

6) Interlochen Arts Academy — Interlochen, Michigan

Interlochen is the Midwest’s top arts boarding school and a national leader in specialized arts training for high-school students. Its conservatory-style model offers intensive training in music, theatre, dance, film, visual art, and creative writing alongside college-prep academics. Families choose Interlochen for the unparalleled arts faculty, audition-based admissions that select serious young artists, and a campus dotted with performance venues and studios. Interlochen lists boarding tuition on its official tuition page and publishes broad scholarship support and merit/need-based aid for qualifying students.

Quick fit check: If your student is artistically driven and wants full-time conservatory training in high school, Interlochen is one of the few top options in the Midwest.

7) St. John’s Northwestern Academy — Delafield, Wisconsin

St. John’s Northwestern offers both a traditional college-prep program and a military-structured academy option; it’s known for structure, character formation, and options for 5-day or 7-day boarding. The school publishes differentiated boarding rates (5-day, 7-day, international) and has a reputation for individualized attention and a values-based residential program. Families who value structure and leadership programs often consider St. John’s Northwestern.

Quick fit check: Choose this school if structured routines, leadership training, or military-style programs appeal to your family.

Admissions tips for Midwest boarding schools

1. Start early (12–18 months): Top schools have rolling or timed admissions cycles; early planning gives your child time to prep for interviews, auditions, and standardized testing if required.
2. Visit (or take a virtual tour): Campus visits are the single best way to feel fit. Attend an open house, meet dorm parents, and sit in on a class where possible.
3. Prepare authentically: Essays, teacher recommendations, and interviews should reflect your student’s real interests and growth areas — boarding schools value curiosity and community fit as much as test scores.
4. Auditions & portfolios: For arts schools (Interlochen, others), audition requirements vary — understand repertoire, recording specs, and deadlines months in advance.
5. Ask about boarding options: Some schools offer 5-day boarding, 7-day boarding, or commuter/day options — that flexibility may make boarding more affordable and better fit family logistics.

Understanding the numbers: tuition vs. cost of attendance

Most schools publish a boarding tuition number that typically includes instruction, room, and meals — but not extras like books, travel, health insurance, uniforms, or incidentals. Always ask admissions for a full Cost of Attendance (COA) breakdown so you can compare apples to apples. Also ask about payment plans, tuition deposit dates, refund policies, and whether international students face extra fees.

Financial aid, scholarships & merit help

• Need-based aid: Many Midwest boarding schools (especially the larger ones) offer need-based grants. Apply early and submit required financial documentation (often via dedicated portals or services like SSS/FACTS).
• Merit scholarships: Some schools award academic, arts, athletic, or leadership scholarships based on audition/portfolio or application materials.
• Outside scholarships: Look to local foundations, civic groups, and scholarship databases for supplemental help.
• Payment plans: Most schools offer monthly or semesterly payment options to ease cash flow.

Questions to ask on a campus visit

• What percentage of students board vs. day?
• What’s the average class size and student-teacher ratio?
• How does the school support students’ mental health and wellness in residential life?
• What are weekend life and travel/leave policies for boarders?
• What colleges did the senior class matriculate to last year?
• Are there sample budgets for books, trips, health insurance, and tech fees?

Sample timeline for families (grade 8–11)

• Grade 8–9: Research fit, begin campus visits to narrow choices.
• Grade 10: Attend an open house; prepare for auditions or testing.
• Grade 11 (Fall): Finalize list; complete applications (many due Nov–Jan).
• Grade 11 (Winter–Spring): Apply for financial aid; schedule interviews/auditions; respond to offers.

How to compare schools quickly (3-minute checklist)

1. Academics: AP/IB/unique majors?
2. Residential life: Dorm size, adult supervision, weekend freedoms.
3. Extracurriculars: Arts, athletics, special programs.
4. Cost & aid: Published boarding tuition + typical aid packages.
5. Outcomes: College matriculation, alumni network, internships.

Quick FAQs

Q: Are Midwest boarding schools expensive?
A: Many top boarding schools have annual boarding tuitions in the tens of thousands to mid-$70k+ range. That’s why comparing published tuition, COA, and aid packages is critical.

Q: Can international students board?
A: Yes — most Midwest boarding schools welcome international students and often publish separate international fees and additional services (airport transfers, ESL support).

Q: Which school is best for arts?
A: Interlochen Arts Academy is the Midwest’s go-to for conservatory-level arts training.

Related

• Top 7 Boarding Schools In Midwest And Fees (2025)
• Top 5 Boarding Schools In Michigan And Fees (2025)
• Top 4 Boarding Schools In Miami And Fees (2025)

Conclusion

The “best” boarding school in the Midwest depends on your child’s academic priorities, learning style, extracurricular passions, and your family’s logistics and budge. Choose anyone suitable on this list.