Choosing the right affordable boarding school in the US is always a concern for parents and students. Below is a list of the top affordable boarding schools in the US, helping parents and students make the most suitable choices.

1/ St. Bernard’s Academy

Overview of St. Bernard’s Academy

Established in 1912, St. Bernard’s Academy offers a beautiful and modern boarding facility, recently renovated, providing accommodation for international students. It is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US. Vice Principal Mike Grummert and his family also live on-site, offering 24/7 support to students.

68% of students at St. Bernard’s Academy participate in after-school sports programs, providing opportunities to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and motivation. The boarding facility, located on campus, allows students easy access to participate in any sport.

Nearest major city: San Francisco
Nearest university: Stanford University (Ranked 5th among national universities)
Climate: Temperate, with heavy rain in winter and cool, dry summers
Airport: Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV).
St. Bernard’s Academy is located in the suburbs of Eureka, California, a city on the northern coast of California, 275 miles from San Francisco (a 4.5-hour drive). Eureka is part of Humboldt County, considered a typical agricultural area in the US by the USDA.

General Information about St. Bernard’s Academy

St. Bernard’s Academy Niche Ranking (Updated November 2021)

Below are the Niche rankings for St. Bernard’s Academy (updated November 2021):

Why Should You Choose St. Bernard’s Academy?

• High College Acceptance Rate

St. Bernard’s Academy is not only one of the best and most affordable boarding schools, but it also boasts a 100% college acceptance rate. Graduates have been accepted to prestigious universities such as Yale University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Boston University, Penn State, University of Washington, and more.

• Notable Alumni

St. Bernard’s Academy is a top choice for many outstanding students. Notable international alumni include Yuanbin “Robin” Wu, who graduated with honors and is now pursuing Civil Engineering at UC Davis. Robin excelled academically, participated in varsity sports as captain of the soccer and tennis teams, and volunteered with the internationally recognized Betty Chin Association, helping the homeless.

• Academic Programs at St. Bernard’s Academy Include:

With 30 international students, St. Bernard’s Academy offers diverse programs and opportunities for students to interact with peers from around the world. In 2018, international students came from Cambodia, Mexico, Vietnam, China, and Korea.

The St. Bernard’s Academy Arts Program offers AP Art courses, Ceramics, Foundations of Art, Graphic Design, and Yearbook. Ceramics introduces students to various pottery techniques. Foundations of Art covers basic concepts of art methods and history. Graphic Design teaches software skills for designing posters, flyers, and advertisements. The Yearbook course provides journalism and reporting skills.

• Modern Facilities

St. Bernard Catholic High School, an affordable boarding school in the US, is equipped with high-speed fiber-optic internet, computer labs, and a MAC lab. The modern library offers diverse academic resources, including journals, periodicals, hundreds of DVDs, CDs, videos, and a wide range of literary publications.

The high school campus includes two historic buildings with 21 classrooms, an auditorium with a kitchen and stage, two science labs, a chapel, and a Learning Support Center. The indoor sports complex features a basketball court, two locker rooms, a weight training room, and weightlifting equipment. Additionally, the school has football and baseball fields.

St. Bernard’s Academy Tuition Costs

St. Bernard’s Academy is an affordable boarding school in the US, with the total cost updated for 2021-2022 as follows:

2/ Erie First Christian Academy

Overview of Erie First Christian Academy

Erie First Christian Academy, one of the most affordable boarding schools in the US, was founded in 1992 under the patronage of the Lord’s Erie Fellowship, Pennsylvania. The school’s name reflects its connection to the Erie community, its partnership with First Fellowship, its Christian religion, and its academy status. In 2006, the founders’ dream was fulfilled when the first class graduated and entered college.

General Information about Erie First Christian Academy

Erie First Christian Academy Niche Ranking (Updated November 2021)

Below are the Niche rankings for Erie First Christian Academy (updated November 2021):

Why Should You Choose Erie First Christian Academy?

• 100% college acceptance rate. Universities attended by students include Carnegie Mellon University (ranked 25th among national universities), Penn State (ranked 52nd), University of Pittsburgh (ranked 68th), Rochester Institute of Technology (ranked 97th), and Kent State University (ranked 176th).
• Penn State is a top choice for Erie First Christian Academy students. Students regularly visit Penn State’s Behrend campus, and the school’s admissions staff frequently leads tours and offers special programs for international students. Students can easily transfer to Penn State’s main University Park campus after two years at the Behrend campus.

In addition, Erie First Christian Academy is not only one of the most affordable boarding schools in the US, but it also has outstanding advantages:

• Dual Credit Program with Colleges/Universities: The school partners with Gannon University and Penn State, allowing talented students to choose from numerous college-level courses. Students are transported by bus from Erie First Christian Academy to these college campuses.
• Comprehensive English Support (ESL): With an average class size of 4-10 students, ESL classes at Erie First Christian Academy include various extracurricular activities such as host family friendships, field trips, ESL tutoring, and continuous English support at school.
• Beautiful Natural Scenery: Surrounded by five large lakes, Erie First Christian Academy is located at the center of outdoor activities and recreation, including hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming.
• Erie First Christian Academy prides itself on its comprehensive ESL program for international students. This program includes diverse extracurricular activities such as host family friendships, field trips, ESL tutoring, and ongoing English support while studying at the school. Jacqueline Ruiz, the ESL teacher at Erie First Christian Academy, holds a Master’s degree in History. Students are placed in ESL I, ESL II, or ESL IIB classes, with an average of 4-10 students per class, meeting four times a week for an hour each session.
• Dual Credit Program with Colleges/Universities: Students interested in dual credit courses must enroll in the RCI (Regional Choice Initiative) program with Gannon University. Only 11th and 12th graders can enroll in these courses, with a minimum GPA of 3.25. The program offers over 25 courses, including:

• Notable Alumni: Mike Hanlin works in the aviation department of cash management solutions at Lockheed Martin, overseeing the flow of money within the company, particularly in information systems and aviation for the US Department of Defense. Lockheed Martin reported $45.8 billion in revenue in 2010. Jesse Luketa, a recent graduate, received a full scholarship to play football at Penn State and is now part of the Nittany Lion team, playing as an outside linebacker.

Erie First Christian Academy Tuition Costs

Erie First Christian Academy is an affordable boarding school in the US, with the total cost updated for 2021-2022 as follows:

3/ Marshall School

Overview of Marshall School

Marshall School is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US, founded in 1904. Marshall is ranked 11th among the best boarding schools in the New York City area. The school emphasizes cultural diversity and global skills in its curriculum.

Marshall has partner schools in Colombia, Turkey, France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Vietnam. Along with enrolling full-time international students, the Global Exchange Program brings students from various countries to Marshall annually, offering opportunities for Marshall students to visit other countries.

The school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, a beautiful city on the shores of Lake Superior. Perched on a hill overlooking the lake and city, Marshall’s campus spans 35 acres. The fact that 70% of Marshall students’ parents move to Duluth from another city is a testament to the city’s appeal as a regional center of commerce, arts, and education.

General Information about Marshall School

Marshall School Niche Ranking (Updated November 2021)

Below are the Niche rankings for Marshall School (updated November 2021):

Why Should You Choose Marshall School?

Marshall School is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US, with the following outstanding advantages:

• 100% college acceptance rate, with an average SAT score of 1300, Top 30%: 1342, Top 10%: 1416 ACT. Graduates of Marshall School are eligible to attend prestigious colleges and universities such as Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Rice University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Case Western Reserve University, Boston University, and Penn State.
• Number of sports offered: 23, Participation rate: 85%, Number of clubs and activities: over 40 clubs.
• Modern Facilities: Situated on a 40-acre campus, Marshall School enjoys spectacular views of Lake Superior. The school’s facilities include a choir room, a band room, an orchestra room, and two art rooms. The building features numerous glass-lined corridors, sunlit walkways, and an outdoor courtyard with beautiful scenery. The Fregeau Auditorium, with a capacity of 750, was renovated in 2009 and now features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a modular stage, and modern seating. Athletic facilities include a football field, two soccer fields, two baseball/softball fields, five tennis courts, a hockey arena, and cross-country and Nordic ski trails.
• International students are housed in Marshall’s on-campus boarding facility, which has 32 beds, divided into single and multi-student rooms. The boarding facility includes an outdoor courtyard with stunning views of Lake Superior, a Global Learning Center, and a private study area for students. The facility also features classrooms, a common area with comfortable seating and several smart TVs, and a recreation area with gaming consoles, pool tables, ping pong, basketball, and relaxation areas. The facility also has a kitchen and dining room for students.
• Academic Programs:

• Notable Alumni: Pingbo Yang, a 2011 graduate of Marshall School, excelled academically and in extracurricular activities. He participated in advanced courses, Nordic skiing, basketball, and was a member of the Marshall Leave team. In the 2009-10 Minnesota State Math Competition, Pingbo was one of the top-scoring students and was invited to join the Minnesota State Math Team for a week in the summer of 2010. During his time at Marshall, he made many friends and significantly improved his English, contributing to his academic success. During his four years living with a host family, he felt respected and well cared for.

Marshall School Tuition Costs

Marshall School is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US, with the following tuition fees:

4/ Bridgeport International Academy (BIA)

Overview of Bridgeport International Academy (BIA)

Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US. Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the school is conveniently situated in a major city near the coast, with a mild climate. Bridgeport is the largest city in Connecticut, located on Long Island Sound, between New York and Boston. The school is just over an hour’s drive from New York City and 2.5 hours from Boston. Additionally, Bridgeport is ranked among the top 15 safest cities in the US, ensuring a secure environment for international students.

Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) Ranking (Updated November 2021)

• Niche Grade: A

Why Should You Choose Bridgeport International Academy (BIA)?

• The school’s campus is located right next to the University of Bridgeport, allowing students to use University of Bridgeport’s facilities, including the library, arts center, gym, recreation center, and dining areas. Additionally, students can visit Beardsley Park, home to Connecticut’s only zoo.
• BIA is a small school with fewer than 100 students, offering a diverse student body from across the US and 16 countries worldwide. The school has separate dormitories for male and female students.
• There are many clubs at the school, including sports clubs, graphic design, fine arts, arts (film, photography, sound design, lighting), dance, and a renowned theater department with international acclaim.
• Extracurricular activities are also diverse, including character education classes, moral development, community service, advanced writing skills, and history courses.
• Notable Program: BIA offers the American Honors dual enrollment program, allowing students to complete both high school and college credits in one year, shortening the typical program by one year. After completing this program, students can transfer to Philadelphia College for their remaining college credits, then transfer to a university for two more years to complete a bachelor’s degree.
• Students who choose to follow the regular high school program can still apply to colleges and universities in the US as usual.
• BIA offers an English program for students who need additional language support upon acceptance.

Bridgeport International Academy (BIA) Tuition Costs

This is one of the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US, with the following tuition fees for 2020-2021:

We hope this article helps parents and students choose the best and most affordable boarding schools in the US.

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