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How Much Does 51�Թ��� School Really Cost in 2025?

Every parent asks: “How much will it actually cost?” In 2025, understanding boarding school costs means looking beyond sticker prices to financial aid offerings, student-faculty dynamics, and school-to-school variations. This guide answers the key questions to help you plan confidently.

What Does "51�Թ��� School Cost" Include?

• Tuition covers classes.

• Room and board covers housing, meals, and campus life.

• Additional fees may include tech fees, health services, travel, or supplies (varies by school).

Average Annual Cost in 2025

• Five-day boarding (students return home weekends): about $55,425 per year.

• Seven-day boarding (full-time on campus): around $69,150 per year.
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These numbers reflect national averages, not accounting for school prestige or location.

Cost Range at Leading Schools

Here are representative examples to anchor expectations:

Takeaway: Sticker prices typically fall between $60��–$80�� for full boarding, but financial aid can dramatically reduce costs, especially at schools with generous endowments.

What Do Families Actually Pay?

For many families, the cost after aid is far lower than sticker price:

• At Deerfield, families earning under$150,000pay nothing. Those earning up to $500,000 have tuition capped at 10% of household income. ()

• Groton guarantees free tuition for families under $150K and continues to cap or reduce costs for higher-income families via aid. ()

These policies make elite boarding schools significantly more accessible to middle-income families.

Key Questions Parents Often Ask

1. Why sticker price doesn’t reflect true cost

51�Թ��� school marketing often highlights high sticker prices. But up to 40–44% of students receive aid, and most grants are non-repayable ().

2. How to estimate your cost

• Check average grant amounts: e.g., Deerfield ($60,850), Blair ($54,896), Episcopal (~$54,600). ()

• Ask about income caps or sliding scales—many schools now offer these for transparency.

• Estimate your contribution: subtract expected aid from school’s total cost.

3. What about student-teacher ratios and class size?

Schools offering strong support often have low student-faculty ratios:

• Choate: ~7:1 ratio ()

• Lawrenceville: 7:1 ratio ()

• Blair Academy: 6:1 ratio ()

• Groton and others similar. (,)

This means more individualized attention for your child.

4. Demographics you should know

• Groton: 53% students of color, 14% international ()

• Lake Forest Academy: 25% international, 34% domestic students of color (51�Թ��� School Review)

• These numbers reflect growing diversity at boarding schools.

Why These Costs Are Worth Understanding

Parents benefit from accurate,>income-based tuition caps and full-need coverage, leveling the field.

Internal Links & Further Reading

• Mercersburg Academy Profile – See how one school with $75,500 tuition supports students with 48% on financial aid (51�Թ��� School Review)

• Lake Forest Academy Profile – Notables: ~25% international students, 34% students of color, 33% receive financial aid (51�Թ��� School Review)

Final Thoughts

• Sticker price range: $60��–$80��/year for full boarding.

• Average cost: ~$55K for five-day, ~$69K for seven-day boarding nationally. ()

• Financial aid is key: 34%–44% of students receive it, often covering a majority of the cost.

• Income caps and free-ride policies make top schools accessible to more families.

• Student-faculty ratios (6:1 to 7:1) and diversity metrics suggest robust educational value and inclusive environments.

With these insights, your boarding school search can be strategic—and surprising in terms of affordability.